Sean Todd is the former CISO at PayNearMe and Roostify. He strives to create a positive security culture from the ground up.
Sean Todd has a proven track record of building up resilient security programs that can grow and adapt with the business. These security programs have managed to pass many audits such as SOC2, ISO27001, and PCI-DSS with zero findings. Under his tenure as CISO at PayNearMe, the audits were so successful that they often could be completed in a couple of days instead of a couple of weeks.
PayNearMe
2018-2023
I rejoined PayNearMe in 2018 as they were looking to significantly expand their business into new verticals. I was Chief of Staff to the CISO while we expanded the team to include specialized engineers in areas like application security and network security. In 2021, I transitioned to the CISO role and continued to grow the team and push the program to new heights. Under the CISO role, I grew the security engineering and security governance teams and led them achieve more than teams twice their size could accomplish. The security governance team added PCI-DSS to our growing list of audits as well as client-initiated audits.
Roostify
2016-2018
After building up the successful security program at PayNearMe, I left for the early stage mortgage services company Roostify. At the time, the security program consisted of a single page policy that was not enforced. I was charged with building up a security program that could meet the requirements of SOC2, ISO27001, and JP Morgan Chase within 18 months. Through determination and hard work, the security program was built up and passed all three audits. I continued to run almost all aspects of the security program from application security to network security to physical office security.
PayNearMe
2012-2016
Starting as a software developer at PayNearMe, I took responsibility for building up the nascent security program in late 2012. I worked with stakeholders around the company to run all aspects of security while building up a portfolio of policies and getting the program through its first ISO27001 audit. Being a regulated payments platform, it was critical that the security program meet the highest standards. Buy-in from everyone around the company was nurtured by a positive outlook on security and working with existing processes, not against them.
Endorsements
Christine Cooper, Director of Security Governance & Audits, PayNearMe
“Without a doubt, I owe a significant part of my professional growth to your mentorship. Nearly five years ago, when I embarked on my journey at PNM, you graciously took me under your wing, guiding me from a place of limited tech knowledge to a much deeper understanding of the complexities within this industry. Your unwavering support infused me with confidence and provided the foundation upon which I could build my expertise. [...] Your leadership has consistently fostered a safe haven for your peers and employees, offering them an open door for questions and concerns, free from judgment. [...]The contributions you've made to team building and our DEl efforts will continue to pervade our culture.”
Lauren Hasson, Founder, DevelopHer
“Watch this one! Sean is on the fast-track to industry success. I recommend Sean with no hesitation or limitation. If he’s on the market, hire him fast before someone else does. Then step back and be prepared to be amazed.”
Kurt Thams, former CISO & CTO, PayNearMe
“Sean Todd has a comprehensive view of security, and is one of the best I've encountered at understanding where code flaws hide that can expose applications to attacks.”
Sean lives in Chico, CA with his husband Paul and their three dogs: Calvin, Hobbes, and Zazu. He graduated Cum Laude from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science in 2008. Prior to his career in security, he started as a software developer aimed at backend automation. When not protecting his company’s people and systems, you can find him in the kitchen or out for a walk in the beautiful parks in his hometown.