Title: Cybersecurity Academic Researcher and Founder
Company: Decision Matrix Strategies
Location: Houston, Texas, United States
David K. Garton, DSc, Cybersecurity Academic Researcher and Founder at Decision Matrix Strategies, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements and leadership in Cybersecurity.
Dr. Garton has established himself as a distinguished expert in the field of cybersecurity, with a career spanning over 25 years. His journey began in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an avionics sensor maintenance technician from 1998 to 2002. This experience instilled in him the values of integrity and leadership, which have been pivotal throughout his professional life. Following his military service, Dr. Garton transitioned into the civilian sector, taking on roles that progressively advanced his expertise and leadership capabilities.
In 2025, Dr. Garton began focusing on starting his own business, Decision Matrix Strategies, which integrates decision science, linear algebra, artificial intelligence (AI) and strategy for digital transformation. Simultaneously, he has remained active in academic research in cybersecurity since 2015. Dr. Garton’s decision to become an entrepreneur comes after spending nearly a decade affiliated with Plains All American between 2015 and 2024, initially serving as an enterprise security architect and later as a technical architecture manager.
Dr. Garton’s more recent work has involved developing innovative quantitative methods to assess and manage security risks within complex enterprise environments. He has also focused heavily on integrating complexity theory, AI and decision science to secure critical systems.
Beginning his remarkable career in 2002, Dr. Garton joined Century Bank as a network systems engineer, quickly rising to the position of acting chief information officer by 2003. His tenure at Century Bank laid the foundation for his subsequent role as a lead system administrator for information security at the U.S. Department of Defense from 2004 to 2011. During this period, Dr. Garton honed his skills in managing complex security systems and ensuring compliance with stringent defense protocols.
Dr. Garton’s career trajectory continued upward when he became an IT manager for the Department of the Army in 2011. He then briefly worked as a SharePoint developer at VISTA in 2013 before joining the Defense Security Service as a special agent and information system security professional until 2015. In this capacity, Dr. Garton ensured that companies adhered to Department of Defense contract controls, marking a significant transition from technical roles to leadership positions.
Dr. Garton’s academic achievements are equally impressive. His educational journey began with an Associate of Applied Science in avionics from the Community College of the Air Force in 1999 and an Associate of Applied Science in engineering industrial management from Northwest Florida State College in 2001. Dr. Garton later received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and management information systems from Texas A&M University in 2006, a Master of Business Administration in management information systems from the same institution in 2010, and a Master of Arts in information security and assurance from Western Governors University in 2017. His educational culminated in a Doctor of Science in cybersecurity, magna cum laude, from Capitol Technology University in 2023. Dr. Garton’s doctoral research led to the development of a patented complex system model and control framework.
Throughout his career, Dr. Garton has received numerous professional designations that underscore his expertise, including being certified in Security+ by CompTIA in 2005 and recognition as a Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional in 2011. These credentials have been instrumental in his ability to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Garton is committed to civic engagement and mentorship. He has volunteered with the Houston Food Bank since 2015 and maintains connections with former employees to guide them through economic uncertainties.
As a seasoned researcher, Dr. Garton’s publications have included Purdue Model Framework for Industrial Control Systems & Cybersecurity Segmentation” in 2019 and “Cybersecurity Science: A Complex Systems” in 2023, both contributing significantly to the field’s body of knowledge.
Dr. Garton remains dedicated to expanding his business, Decision Matrix Strategies. He also aims to leverage advancements in AI to translate complex scientific concepts into business terms while maintaining a balance between work and family life.
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