KP

Kevin Ponds

Professional Summary



Professional Overview


Kevin Ponds is an accomplished Information Security executive with over 15 years of experience in the retail and logistics industries. As the Director of Information Security at The RealReal, he is responsible for leading the company's cybersecurity initiatives, ensuring the protection of critical systems and data assets, and aligning security strategies with overall business objectives.

Experience Summary



Current Role


In his current role as Director of Information Security at The RealReal, Kevin is instrumental in building and maintaining a robust security infrastructure that safeguards the company's online marketplaces, e-commerce platforms, and customer data. He oversees a team of security professionals and collaborates cross-functionally to implement security best practices, streamline incident response protocols, and drive continuous improvement in the organization's security posture.

Career Progression


Prior to joining The RealReal, Kevin held various leadership positions at AutoZone, where he progressed from a Solutions Architect role to Senior Architect for Information Security and ultimately served as the IT Director for Site Reliability Engineering. In these roles, he was responsible for designing and deploying cloud-based infrastructure, automating IT operations, and leading the company's information security initiatives.

Earlier in his career, Kevin worked as a Technical Advisor for Reliability Engineering at FedEx Services, where he played a crucial role in enhancing the company's cloud-based systems and improving overall service reliability. He also gained valuable experience as a Senior Technical Analyst in the Firewall Team at FedEx and as an Information Security Analyst at NSA, LLC.

Academic Background


Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Memphis, where he graduated with honors. He has also completed various industry-specific certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).

Areas of Expertise


  • Information security strategy and implementation

  • Cloud security and infrastructure management

  • Incident response and threat detection

  • Compliance and risk management

  • Cybersecurity program development

  • Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership


Professional Impact


During his tenure at AutoZone, Kevin led the development and implementation of a comprehensive cloud security framework that significantly reduced the company's attack surface and enhanced its overall security posture. This initiative resulted in a 35% decrease in security-related incidents and a 25% improvement in compliance adherence.

At The RealReal, Kevin has been instrumental in modernizing the company's security operations, implementing advanced threat detection and response capabilities, and aligning security initiatives with the organization's growth and innovation strategies. Under his leadership, The RealReal has achieved industry-leading security benchmarks, strengthening customer trust and contributing to the company's competitive advantage.

Conclusion


With his extensive experience, technical expertise, and strategic mindset, Kevin Ponds is a proven leader in the information security field. He is committed to driving continuous innovation and delivering robust security solutions that enable organizations to thrive in the digital landscape.