Colin Knapp
Location: Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Contact: recruitme2025@colinknapp.com | colinknapp.com
Schedule a Meeting: 30 Minute Meeting
Highlights & Measurables
- Cybersecurity Leadership: Currently spearheading ViperWire.ca, the public-facing arm of my AI-powered cybersecurity and development consultancy, delivering cutting-edge protection for digital assets (2023-Present).
- Open-Source Impact: Co-created FastAsyncWorldEdit and PlotSquared, revolutionizing Minecraft development by enabling massive transformative edits—scaling from 50,000 server-crashing edits to billions without interruption—powering a $2 billion game brand with global contributor support (2014-Present).
- Team Leadership: Managed a distributed team of 45 contractors at NitricConcepts, fostering collaboration and deploying advanced DevSecOps practices (2018-2021).
- On-Premises Innovation: Architected self-managed, bare-metal infrastructure with orchestration for on-premises deployments, delivering performant, scalable systems compliant with WCAG 2.0 AA for clients like ShowerLoop, meeting stringent government accessibility and compliance goals (2020-Present).
- Government Projects: Delivered scalable, secure learning management systems for the US government and consulted on Flint Bishop International Airport's website and domain infrastructure via Addis Enterprises, building a geographically redundant DNS cluster with an A+ standard resilient to extreme scenarios (2019-Present).
- Healthcare Infrastructure: Developed and deployed infrastructure for Improving MI Practices, a critical healthcare education platform, ensuring high availability and security for sensitive medical training content (2023-Present).
- Security Automation: Created a Docker-based utility for automated WordPress malware removal and hardening, successfully deployed to protect MLPP from persistent cyber attacks, reducing infection frequency from daily to zero (2023).
Project Experience
DevSecOps at Addis Enterprises
Timeframe: 2019-Present
Overview: Collaborated on US government projects and airport infrastructure, focusing on scalable, secure systems and domain resilience.
Key Contributions:
- Partnered with senior professionals to deliver learning management systems meeting WCAG 2.0 AA compliance for government clients.
- Consulted for Flint Bishop International Airport, architecting a geographically redundant DNS cluster achieving an A+ standard, capable of withstanding extreme disruptions.
- Provided exceptional client service through effective communication and tailored solutions.
Impact: Strengthened government digital infrastructure and ensured robust, resilient airport domain systems.
Healthcare Platform Infrastructure
Timeframe: 2019-Present
Overview: Led infrastructure design and operations for Improving MI Practices (archive) through Addis Enterprises, a critical healthcare education platform.
Key Contributions:
- Designed and implemented secure, scalable infrastructure for healthcare education content delivery.
- Administered CIS Level 1 and 2 security standards implementation for enhanced system hardening and security controls.
- Implemented automated deployment pipelines and monitoring systems for high availability.
Impact: Enabled reliable delivery of critical healthcare training content to medical professionals while maintaining robust security standards.
WordPress Security Automation
Timeframe: 2023
Overview: Developed an automated solution for WordPress malware removal and hardening.
Key Contributions:
- Created a Docker-based utility for automated malware detection and removal.
- Implemented hardening measures to prevent reinfection.
- Successfully deployed to protect MLPP from persistent cyber attacks.
Impact: Reduced infection frequency from daily/weekly to zero, significantly improving site security and reliability.
YouTube Game Development & Cybersecurity
Timeframe: 2009-2022
Overview: Designed custom video games for prominent online creators, integrating advanced cybersecurity measures.
Key Contributions:
- Built immersive gaming experiences for large audiences.
- Implemented DDoS defense, anti-phishing protocols, and data privacy measures.
- Managed hardware/software lifecycles and created comprehensive documentation.
Impact: Delivered secure, seamless gaming experiences to millions of users.
Web Design & Java Plugin Development
Timeframe: 2009-2023
Overview: Developed web solutions and Java plugins focusing on CI/CD efficiency and client satisfaction.
Key Contributions:
- Utilized Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD for streamlined workflows, leveraging a robust toolchain for rapid development.
- Managed complex systems and ensured WCAG 2.0 AA accessibility standards.
- Provided technical guidance and detailed client documentation, drawing on broad experience to resolve diverse issues.
Impact: Enhanced project delivery speed and quality for diverse computing environments through prolific development practices.
App Development for Influencers
Timeframe: 2013-2018
Overview: Created an ad revenue tracking app to optimize earnings and strategies for content creators.
Key Contributions:
- Designed a user-friendly tool for real-time revenue monitoring using an optimized toolchain for efficiency.
- Ensured secure data handling and system performance with extensive problem-solving expertise.
Impact: Empowered creators to maximize earnings and refine content strategies.
DevOps & Co-Founder at NitricConcepts
Timeframe: 2018-2021
Overview: Led a global team in building secure, scalable gaming solutions.
Key Contributions:
- Managed 45 contractors worldwide, implementing Docker, Fail2Ban, and Salt Stack as part of a comprehensive toolchain.
- Co-developed FastAsyncWorldEdit and PlotSquared, enabling billions of seamless edits for Minecraft creators.
- Fostered a collaborative, innovative team culture.
Impact: Transformed NitricConcepts into a thriving multinational entity through prolific and efficient development.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Timeframe: 2013-2017
Overview: Revitalized a struggling business into a self-sustaining operation in two weeks.
Key Contributions: Optimized systems and streamlined operations with rapid, effective solutions.
Impact: Created a profitable, independent venture.
Timeframe: 2019-Present
Overview: Co-founded a company reducing e-waste through circuit board repairs.
Key Contributions: Leveraged industry expertise and a versatile toolchain for sustainable tech solutions.
Impact: Promoted environmental responsibility in electronics.
Timeframe: 2016
Overview: Revamped the website for an eco-friendly recirculating shower system project, implementing WCAG 2.0 AA compliance and modern design principles.
Key Contributions: Designed and implemented a responsive, accessible website with improved user experience and technical documentation.
Impact: Enhanced the project's online presence and accessibility while maintaining the site's functionality through periodic maintenance.
Additional Information
Personal Development
Timeframe: 2009-Present
- Self-Taught Mastery: Continuously honed cybersecurity and systems management skills, building a broad knowledge base to tackle unique challenges with a passion for innovation and problem-solving.
- Open-Source Contributions: Actively maintain smaller self-run open-source projects; previously led OhMyForm (retired in favor of FormBricks) and contributed to PlotSquared, FastAsyncWorldEdit, and PlotHider, reflecting a prolific commitment to advancing technology.
- Skill Maintenance: Regularly run Woodpecker CI and Gitea for on-premise source management, testing, and deployment, employing security scanning and unit testing to ensure core functionality and security baselines, alongside self-hosting exercises to sustain rapid, high-volume development capabilities across a vast array of innovative projects.
Relevant Links & Web Impact
Open Source & Infrastructure
PlotSquared & FastAsyncWorldEdit
2013-Present
Contributor to major Minecraft server plugins, focusing on performance optimization and security enhancements.
- Contributed to PlotSquared, a land management plugin with 572+ stars and 809+ forks
- Enhanced FastAsyncWorldEdit, improving world manipulation performance with 664+ stars
- Implemented security improvements and performance optimizations for large-scale server operations
Athion.net Infrastructure
2013-Present
Established and maintained critical infrastructure for Minecraft development community.
- Set up and maintained Jenkins CI/CD pipeline since 2013, supporting continuous integration for game content development
- Hosted infrastructure enabling collaboration between developers and Microsoft for game content creation
- Implemented robust security measures and performance optimizations for high-traffic development environments
Software Engineer
Oh My Form
2020 - Present
Led development of Oh My Form, achieving over 1.5 million Docker pulls as verified by Docker Hub and archived.
- Developed and maintained a secure, high-performance form builder application
- Implemented robust security measures and best practices
- Optimized application performance and user experience
Accessibility: This website is designed and developed to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AAA standards, ensuring the highest level of accessibility for all users. Features include high contrast ratios, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and responsive design. The site supports both light and dark modes with automatic system preference detection.