Ramsey, age 19, during his first deployment in Mosul, Iraq (FOB Freedom), 2004.
“Being able to protect patients is a pretty rewarding experience.”
After seven deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, T.J. Ramsey, Senior Director of Threat Operations at Fortified Health Security, traded battlefields for digital frontlines. Now his mission is in healthcare cybersecurity—defending data and patients from cyber threats.
His story is more than just a career change—it’s about how veterans use their military expertise to tackle the evolving challenges of cybersecurity. This Veterans Day, we’re highlighting Ramsey’s journey and exploring how veterans are uniquely equipped to protect the sensitive data that powers our healthcare system.
Veterans in Healthcare Cybersecurity
For Ramsey, the mission to protect patient data is personal.
After years of safeguarding lives on the ground, transitioning to cybersecurity allowed him to continue serving others in a new way. Evolving from physical protection, Ramsey has moved to digital defense, where he can identify possible vulnerabilities in our healthcare systems.
“Knowing and understanding the enemy is what we do [in the military]. In cybersecurity, it’s very much the same thing. How does the bad guy strike a hospital? How do they strike a power plant? How will they get in? But instead of using infantry, they’re using computers, IP addresses, viruses, and ransomware,” he explains.
His military background, rooted in discipline and defense, directly influences his approach to protecting healthcare data, and that sense of duty continues to guide him.
Integrating Military Strategy into Cybersecurity Practices
Ramsey has learned to integrate military strategies into cybersecurity practices, developing a strong defensive mindset throughout his career. He advocates for the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which serves as a tactical tool for bridging the gap between technical and non-technical professionals.
“I love the MITRE ATT&CK framework,” he explains. “It gives us a common lexicon to speak about the tactics the enemy uses, so we can explain them to non-technical, non-cybersecurity individuals.”
By leveraging this framework, Ramsey simplifies complex threats and fosters a defensive approach, empowering healthcare organizations to strengthen their defenses in a way that everyone can understand and contribute to.
Veterans and the Culture of Collaboration in Cybersecurity
In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, effective leadership isn’t just about authority; it’s about fostering partnerships and collaboration.
Ramsey embodies this philosophy and shares how the military defines leadership. “Getting others to want to do what must be done—that is leadership,” he explains.
Ramsey understands that his success hinges on collaborating with hospital staff and technical teams to secure networks effectively. “We are hired to do something for them. I can’t just go in and make a network engineer change his firewall; I have to get him to want to do it.”
His commitment to building relationships positions him as a strong leader in an environment where partnership is everything.
Finding a Second Family at Fortified Heath Security
For the past nine years, Ramsey has not only thrived at Fortified Health Security but has also found a second family, fueled by both the technical challenges of his role and the company’s nurturing atmosphere.
“The culture and mission keep me here. How many companies do you know where you can walk into the office, see the CEO, COO, and CFO, and give them a hug? They genuinely care for the people that work for them. That is the culture we have at Fortified,” he shares with pride.
Ramsey’s inspiring story from military intelligence to healthcare cybersecurity is a testament to how veterans can channel their background to protect vital sectors like healthcare. His leadership, attitude, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding others are not just essential to his role at Fortified Health Security; they are the very essence of who he is.
As we celebrate Veterans Day, Ramsey’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact that military service can have once a uniform is set aside. Today, Ramsey continues to serve, this time on the frontlines of healthcare cybersecurity, tirelessly working to ensure the safety of healthcare data and the well-being of those it protects.
