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Matt Johansen
Helping Secure the Internet
Matt Johansen is the Head of Software Security at Reddit, Inc., a position he has held since October 2023. In this role, he leads a team focused on application security (AppSec), production security (ProdSec), and creating a secure developer experience by default.1
Professional Background
Before his current role, Johansen served as the Principal Security Architect at Reddit from December 2021 to October 2023. His responsibilities included designing and implementing security systems across the company, emphasizing the protection of employees and users.1
Prior to joining Reddit, he held several significant positions in cybersecurity:
- SVP, Senior Security Manager, Cyber Security Defense at Bank of America (March 2018 - December 2021), where he managed a large team focused on infrastructure security testing and vulnerability management.1
- SVP, Cyber Security Technology - Cloud Security Architect at Bank of America (May 2017 - March 2018), overseeing cloud security initiatives.1
- Vice President at Goldman Sachs (May 2016 - May 2017), where he was one of three Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) for consumer-facing divisions.1
Contributions to the Field
Johansen is also known for his involvement in educating others about cybersecurity. He teaches companies how to protect against cyber threats and coaches entrepreneurs and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) on best practices.2 Additionally, he has contributed to various podcasts discussing topics like identity attacks and enterprise security challenges.34
Education and Skills
Johansen's expertise spans multiple areas within cybersecurity, including secure software development life cycles (SDLC), vulnerability assessment, and risk management. He has also been involved in community initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration within the cybersecurity field.5
Overall, Matt Johansen's extensive background in cybersecurity leadership positions him as a key figure in enhancing Reddit's security posture while contributing to broader industry discussions.