Guernsey Cybersecurity Team Expands to Fuel Growing Client Base

Guernsey, a leading design, engineering, and consulting firm, has hired Matthew Watson, a Marine Corps veteran with deep cybersecurity expertise, to fuel the expansion of its cyber risk management capabilities.

Guernsey offers cybersecurity services for nearly one-third of the nation’s electric co-ops as a part of the company’s consulting and analytical expertise. Guernsey cyber clients are growing beyond electric companies to the oil and gas industry where there are new cyber security directives for pipelines. In addition, federal work associated with the Department of Defense (DoD) is growing due to implementing the Cyber Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements for contractors. The Guernsey cybersecurity team is led by one of only two provisional CMMC Assessors in the state of Oklahoma.

“The cybersecurity field is an open space with a lot of opportunities, and as a nation, we’re still figuring out how to implement cyber controls and what it should look like in the future,” stated Matthew Watson. “Guernsey is at the forefront of the CMMC wave and we are purpose-driven to work with our clients to meet CMMC requirements and proactively prepare for cyber threats.”

Watson specializes in control systems and operational technology, the part of IT that touches physical elements such as a system that opens or closes a valve or reads data.

“Matthew is a welcome addition to the growing team and comes on board at a pivotal time,” said Tim Fawcett, Director of Guernsey Cybersecurity Consulting. “Our clients are facing threats in higher volume and sophistication, and he is the ideal leader to assist patrons through the landscape and complex regulatory issues.”

Watson, an Oklahoma native, holds a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), as well as cybersecurity auditor and network engineer.