Our Mission
Bring AI Off the Whiteboard and Into Security Operations
HAWK.io is built around a clear objective: automate every security operation that can be safely automated—within customer-defined authority.
Security organizations have invested heavily in EDR, SIEM, identity, cloud, network, threat intelligence, and other security technologies. Yet critical operations still depend on analysts manually connecting signals, gathering context, validating evidence, making decisions, and coordinating response.
HAWK changes the operating model.
The HAWK Technology Stack works with the security technologies organizations already rely on, combining real-time telemetry, vTTAC™ host-based contextual data enrichment, HAWK real-time analytics, patent-pending HAWK.io ClaimKit evidence intelligence, Octopus cAI autonomous investigation, and policy-governed action.
Together, these capabilities move security operations from signal to context to evidence to decision to action at machine speed.
Rather than requiring analysts to manually assemble the information needed to investigate and respond, HAWK continuously enriches security telemetry, establishes incident context and evidence, and applies AI-driven investigation and authorized action within customer-defined policies, thresholds, and escalation boundaries.
The result is a security operation designed to reduce manual intervention, accelerate decision velocity, shorten the path from detection to containment, and scale security capability without requiring manual processes to scale at the same rate.
Bring AI off the whiteboard
Put it into operation
Move from detection to containment at machine speed
HAWK Network Defense is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and was founded by experienced cybersecurity executives and veterans of organizations including ISS Internet Security Systems, e-Security, Citadel Security Software, and ACS.
From Signal to Action
Real-Time Intelligence for Real-Time Security Operations
Modern security teams rarely suffer from a lack of data. The challenge is transforming that data into the context and evidence needed to make the right decision quickly.
HAWK is designed around a real-time security operations architecture that moves intelligence continuously through the investigation and response lifecycle.
Real-Time Ingestion & Normalization
Security telemetry is continuously ingested and normalized so information from different technologies can be analyzed together.
Advanced Data Enrichment
HAWK adds identity, threat intelligence, endpoint, and other relevant context to establish what is happening and why it matters.
Real-Time Exploit Detection
HAWK analyzes activity as it occurs, including techniques such as living-off-the-land activity that can be difficult to identify from isolated security signals.
Comprehensive Incident Evidence
Relevant artifacts and contextual evidence are assembled to support investigation, validation, and decision-making.
Real-Time Decision & Action
Evidence and intelligence flow into HAWK security operations, where Octopus cAI can investigate and execute authorized actions within customer-defined policies and boundaries.
THE OBJECTIVE IS NOT ANOTHER ALERT.
Turn security signals into evidence, decisions, and action while there is still time to change the outcome.
HAWK.io MDR
Extend Your Security Stack. Accelerate Your Response.
HAWK.io MDR is designed to work with the security investments organizations already have—not require them to start over.
Existing EDR, identity, cloud, network, threat intelligence, and other security technologies provide valuable signals. HAWK brings those signals together with additional endpoint context, real-time analytics, evidence intelligence, autonomous investigation, and coordinated response.
The integrated HAWK Technology Stack helps automate critical activities throughout the incident lifecycle—from detection and evidence collection through investigation, decision-making, containment, verification, and reporting.
Automation handles repeatable operations within defined policies and authority, while security professionals remain at the helm—establishing boundaries, handling exceptions, and applying human expertise where it provides the greatest value.
Organizations gain the ability to move faster and scale security operations without simply adding more analysts, more consoles, or more manual processes.
Better context. Stronger evidence.
Faster decisions. Faster containment.
Tim Shelton
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Tim Shelton is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of HAWK Network Defense, where he leads the company’s technology vision, product strategy, and integration architecture. As a key architect of HAWK’s technology platform, Tim has also played a central role in shaping the company’s go-to-market strategy and the evolution of its security operations capabilities.
Tim brings extensive experience as an information security practitioner and technology leader, including his work with ACS (Xerox). During his tenure at ACS, he was recognized for his leadership in developing security service delivery models and the operational processes required to deliver security services at scale.
A recognized expert in zero-day vulnerabilities, emerging threats, and defensive countermeasures, Tim has spent his career focused on advancing how organizations detect, investigate, and respond to sophisticated cyber threats. He is a frequent speaker at cybersecurity conferences and industry events, including Black Hat.
Tim attended Dallas Baptist University’s School of Computer Science.
Reed Harrison
Vice President of Marketing
Reed Harrison serves as Vice President of Marketing at HAWK Network Defense, bringing more than 30 years of experience in information security, enterprise software, and security technology innovation.
Prior to HAWK, Reed served as Chief Technology Officer for Security & Compliance Solutions at Novell Corporation, following Novell’s 2006 acquisition of e-Security, Inc., which he co-founded in 1999. As CTO of e-Security, Reed helped shape the technology and vision of one of the early pioneers in the SIEM market.
Earlier in his career, Reed spent eight years as Chief Information Security Officer at Harris Corporation, where he developed global security processes and standards and helped advance enterprise security technology, including a patented network-based intrusion detection solution.
Reed’s combination of cybersecurity leadership, technology innovation, product development, and enterprise security expertise helps shape HAWK’s market positioning and strategy.
Reed holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.
David Harris
Chief Executive Officer
David Harris serves as Chief Executive Officer of HAWK Network Defense, bringing extensive leadership experience in cybersecurity, technology, and business growth. Throughout his career, David has worked with organizations ranging from emerging technology companies to established global enterprises, helping build and scale businesses in rapidly evolving markets.
Before joining HAWK, David held senior leadership roles across the technology and cybersecurity industries, including executive positions with organizations focused on information security, managed services, and enterprise technology. His experience spans corporate strategy, business development, operations, acquisitions, and organizational growth.
At HAWK, David focuses on company strategy, market growth, customer and partner relationships, and expanding the reach of HAWK's security operations technology and services.
David is an alumnus of Texas Tech University and the Rawls College of Business.
Steve Zalewski
Cybersecurity Advisor
Steve Zalewski is a cybersecurity executive and advisor with decades of experience spanning enterprise security leadership, security architecture, technology strategy, and executive risk management.
A former Chief Information Security Officer at Levi Strauss & Co., Steve has also held senior security leadership roles at Pacific Gas & Electric and Kaiser Permanente, giving him extensive experience across global retail, critical infrastructure, and healthcare environments. His work has included cybersecurity strategy, incident response, enterprise security architecture, identity and access management, risk and compliance, and communicating cyber risk to executive leadership and boards.
Today, Steve advises organizations, security technology companies, and venture capital firms on cybersecurity strategy, security program development, market direction, product requirements, due diligence, and executive security leadership. He also provides retained CISO services to organizations requiring experienced security leadership on a fractional or transitional basis.
Steve holds CISSP, CISM, and CRISC certifications and has been awarded multiple U.S. patents in data protection and multiprocessor operating-system design. He is also a co-host of the CISO Series Defense in Depth podcast and a frequent speaker and panel moderator at cybersecurity industry events.
