Cybersecurity has evolved from a technical niche to a global necessity. Today, it safeguards everything from critical infrastructure to personal data in an increasingly digital world. As threats grow more complex, leaders like David K. Garton, DSc, stand at the intersection of innovation and protection. With 27 years of experience, Dr. Garton has shaped national security strategies and trained the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. He’s done it not just through intellect, but empathy and integrity as well.
From Military Roots to Cyber Leadership
Dr. Garton began his journey in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an avionics sensor maintenance technician. “I joined because I believed in integrity,” he explains. “I also saw education as a path to a better life and the GI Bill allowed me to pursue that.”
That foundation led to roles that blended hands-on technical work with increasing responsibility. After serving as the acting chief information officer at Century Bank, he joined the U.S. Department of Defense as a lead system administrator in information security. “That period shaped my understanding of large-scale risk management,” he says.
From 2013 to 2015, he served as a special agent at the Defense Security Service, ensuring that private companies adhered to Department of Defense contract controls. “That was a turning point,” Dr. Garton notes. “I moved from technical work into leadership.”
Strategy Meets Science
At Plains All American, Dr. Garton served as an enterprise security architect and later as technical architecture manager. There, he developed risk assessment models and wrote key papers in the field. “One of my proudest achievements is writing for the American Petroleum Institute. I blended operational technology security, the Purdue model and NIST 800-53 standards.”
Dr. Garton’s work followed suit. He earned a doctorate in cybersecurity from Capitol Technology University in 2023 and holds additional degrees in mathematics, information systems, and information security. “I created a complex system model and a control framework that I later patented,” he says.
Today, Dr. Garton leads his own company, Decision Matrix Strategies. “We integrate decision science, linear algebra and AI to support digital transformation,” he explains.
Mentorship and Human Connection
Dr. Garton believes that empathy is more powerful than intelligence: “Empathy is my superpower. It allows me to lead emotionally and connect deeply with others.”
Dr. Garton mentors aspiring cybersecurity professionals and maintains contact with former colleagues. “I’ve always been someone others come to for guidance, whether it’s career advice or personal support,” he says. “I want to be that rock for people.”
Service Beyond the Screen
Service is central to Dr. Garton’s life. He and his wife have volunteered with the Houston Food Bank since 2015. “Giving back is a way for us to stay grounded,” he states.
In his free time, Dr. Garton enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with family. “My personal achievement is my family. They’ve made many sacrifices for my career. Now, I make it a priority to be present for them.”
Looking Forward: Fusing AI With Cybersecurity
Over the next five years, Dr. Garton hopes to expand Decision Matrix Strategies and attract more clients. “I want to translate complex concepts into terms business leaders can act on,” he explains. “That means using neural networks and transformers in a practical way.”
Even with those goals, Dr. Garton remains rooted in what matters most: “I’m focused on balancing my professional work with being there for my family. At the end of the day, that’s what defines success.”
