Ruben Magallanes
30 years of building, breaking, and securing enterprise IT. I left the big-company world to bring that senior, plain‑English experience to small and mid‑size businesses — the ones that don't have a 20‑person IT department but still have to stay up and stay secure.
From enterprise IT to helping real businesses
For three decades I worked on the other side of the fence: data centers, critical infrastructure, and large‑scale networks where things had to work, and when they didn't, the consequences were real. I watched first‑hand how IT and security got sold to businesses — expensive, jargon‑heavy, and often disconnected from what the company actually needed to run.
When I retired early at 52, I had a simple question: why does getting good IT and security help have to mean a six‑figure contract and a team of vendors? A 15‑person business with revenue on the line deserves the same quality of guidance as a Fortune 500 — just scaled to what they actually have.
So that's what Upstart Security is. A single, senior professional who can look at your systems, explain what's working and what isn't, and help you put it on solid ground — with runbooks your team can actually use, a clear security picture, or ongoing CISO‑level oversight. No gatekeeping, no fear, no fluff.
Mission, promise, and vision
My mission
Give small and mid‑size businesses IT and security that's clear, practical, and affordable — without needing a full IT department.
My promise
No jargon, no fear‑mongering, no upsell. Plain‑English advice, a written quote before work starts, and deliverables your team keeps.
My vision
Businesses that know their own systems, own their security posture, and aren't one bad vendor away from trouble.
Not another generic "IT guy"
30 years of real IT experience
Not a recent bootcamp grad. I've operated, managed, and secured systems at scale for three decades.
Plain English, always
If I can't explain it simply, I won't sell it. You'll always know what you're getting and why.
Educate first, sell second
The goal is for your team to understand your setup. Great security means you're not dependent on me forever.
Built for SMBs, not enterprises
I focus on what you need — not a 500‑seat deployment. Your budget and your risk drive the work.
Hands‑on, not just advice
For the work that needs doing, I do it with you — alongside your team and your tools.
Trust first, revenue second
Free resources, honest scoping, and referrals. If you don't need a service, I'll tell you that.
Let's see if I can help your business
A 20‑minute call, no pitch. Tell me where your IT or security is hurting and I'll be straight with you about where you stand.
Book a free intro call →