I translate upstream risk into strategic foresight.
Executive Advisor | Systems-Risk Strategist | Creator of Upstream Risk
Elliott Mattice
I serve as an executive advisor and systems-risk strategist specializing in the translation of upstream risk, geopolitical signals, policy shifts, and power dynamics into operationally defensible action for security and technology leadership.
Twenty-five years leading federal authorization programs, enterprise GRC architecture, and cybersecurity operations across defense, healthcare, and federal contracting revealed a consistent pattern: organizations operating reactively against threats that signaled months in advance. Vendor failures preceded by geopolitical procurement shifts. Regulatory mandates telegraphed in draft comment periods. Audit findings shaped by incentive structures visible before assessment cycles began.
In response, I developed systematic frameworks for what I term Upstream Risk, methodologies that formalize the conversion of early-stage signals into strategic decision intelligence. The objective is not prediction but rather the identification and exploitation of decision windows while margin still exists.
I deliver keynotes and workshops on geopolitical risk integration for cyber teams and leadership evolution in AI-augmented environments. Through Exprima, I advise organizations on CMMC readiness, FedRAMP authorization strategy, and the architecture of GRC programs designed to survive audit pressure while maintaining operational velocity.
Most security leaders operate as downstream observers
Across federal agencies, defense contractors, and enterprise healthcare environments, a consistent pattern emerges: security leadership responding to risk after decision margin has narrowed to reactive postures.
By the time a vulnerability surfaces in your SIEM, multiple strategic windows have closed. The geopolitical procurement trend that reshaped vendor risk profiles. The regulatory comment period that signaled mandate direction. The audit incentive structure that predetermined finding categories.
These signals exist in observable form months prior to manifestation—in policy drafts, geopolitical developments, and stakeholder incentive mappings. Yet most organizations lack systematic translation mechanisms for converting upstream indicators into actionable intelligence.
The frameworks I developed address this gap directly.
Upstream Risk Translation
I have developed three systematic frameworks for identifying and acting on risk signals before they manifest in security operations. These methodologies formalize the conversion of geopolitical indicators, policy signals, and incentive structures into actionable strategic intelligence.
Geopolitical Risk Posture
This framework enables security organizations to integrate state actor incentive analysis, supply chain dependency mapping, and regulatory trend forecasting into threat intelligence workflows—identifying vulnerability patterns before they surface in traditional security tooling. The methodology emphasizes systematic signal analysis over speculative assessment.
- Vendor exposure assessment through geopolitical lens
- Policy signal detection 6-12 months before publication
- Game theory primer for anticipating actor behavior
Policy Translation Method
This framework provides structured analysis of regulatory intent prior to formal publication—converting policy drafts, comment periods, and legislative signals into technical implementation roadmaps. Organizations gain months (not weeks) of preparation advantage while competitors await final rule publication.
- FedRAMP evolution and CMMC program changes
- HIPAA/GDPR requirement interpretation
- Federal procurement mandate anticipation
Incentive Analysis for Control Design
This framework applies stakeholder incentive mapping (auditors, engineers, executives) to GRC program architecture—designing controls that survive audit scrutiny while maintaining operational velocity. The underlying thesis: incentive structures predict compliance outcomes more reliably than audit findings or tool selections.
- Why compliance-in-operations outperforms checkbox theater
- Proactive control design vs reactive remediation
- Behavioral prediction through incentive mapping
Pattern Recognition Across High-Consequence Environments
| Environments | Outcomes | Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Agencies | 40+ Authorizations | Authorization Programs |
| Enterprise Healthcare | 25% Risk Reduction | Geopolitical Risk Integration |
| Defense Contractors | 10x Workforce Scale | GRC Architecture |
| Growth Companies | $350M+ Portfolio | Executive Advisory |
| Clinical Research | 400% Org Growth | Vendor Risk Frameworks |
These frameworks have been applied across federal agencies (TSA, DCSA, DoD), multinational healthcare enterprises, defense prime contractors, and growth-stage organizations navigating CMMC and FedRAMP authorization pathways. The common thread: high-consequence environments where compliance failures terminate revenue streams and control deficiencies carry national security implications. In such contexts, upstream risk translation is not optional methodology—it represents the operational difference between mission continuity and catastrophic program failure.
Speaking & Content
Speaking Topics
Geopolitical risk for cyber teams, AI leadership evolution, policy translation
Book Speaking →Client & Colleague Perspectives
Elliott is a true professional. You can always tell when a leader is doing well is when they look behind them and their team is still there. He leads intelligently, with integrity, has excellent listening skills, and treats his staff well.
Elliott is one of the most valuable and reliable people I have ever met. He is ready to deal with difficult situations and solve the problems on time. No matter how complex the problem is, he will always come up with a brilliant, elegant, and cost-effective solution.
I found Elliott to be a very good leader and manager, results-oriented, great with project and team management, but also able to change his views and team strategy as to fit the project needs. His strong work ethic and high professional standards makes him a distinct and valuable presence in any work environment.