John Truss
Director of Operations
John Truss is an experienced leader with over 18 years in IT and Cybersecurity, specializing in the strategic oversight and modernization of cybersecurity operations across federal sectors. As the Director of Cybersecurity Operations, Truss leads our company’s largest program, supporting the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Information Assurance Division. This flagship program unites all five of Steampunk’s practice areas — Data Exploitation, Data Platforms, Cybersecurity, Design and Strategy, and SecDevOps.
With a rich background encompassing cybersecurity modernization, risk management, data science, and automation, Truss has been instrumental in transforming critical security processes and implementing automation that significantly reduces manual labor for security professionals and the team members that rely on their support. Passionate about creating efficiencies through innovation, he believes that leveraging data-driven decision-making empowers security professionals and enhances overall performance. With a fun yet firm leadership style, he always fosters a positive environment where a happy team becomes a high-performing team.
Starting from an entry-level position, John steadily advanced through various roles across the cybersecurity industry, gaining deep experience in both the policy and technical sides of the industry. His career has taken him through a diverse range of responsibilities, from hands-on technical work to high-level strategic oversight, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities within cybersecurity. Along the way, he has had the privilege of leading and collaborating with teams from all backgrounds—engineers, administrators, back-office support, developers, and executive leaders—fostering a dynamic and inclusive approach to solving complex security problems.
What musician, album, or song best describes what working at Steampunk means to you?
Gorillaz, known for their groundbreaking fusion of music, art, and technology, perfectly encapsulates the dynamic and forward-thinking culture of Steampunk. Just as Gorillaz breaks traditional boundaries by blending diverse musical genres and pioneering virtual artistry, Steampunk thrives on pushing the envelope in technology and design to deliver transformative solutions for our clients. The band’s ability to seamlessly blend diverse genres and visual storytelling parallels Steampunk’s multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving and delivering forward-thinking solutions. Just as Gorillaz constantly push artistic boundaries and explore new possibilities, Steampunk fosters an environment where innovation thrives, and unconventional ideas are embraced. Their bold, collaborative spirit perfectly aligns with our company’s mission to challenge the status quo and create impactful change. Design, Disrupt, Repeat . . .
