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
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.
Read more about the Airport DNS project →
Timeframe: 2019-Present
Overview: Led infrastructure design and operations for Improving MI Practices 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.
Read more about the Healthcare Platform project →
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.
Read more about the WordPress Security project →
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.
Read more about YouTube Game 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 and efficient development practices.
Read more about Web Design & Java Plugin Development →
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.
Read more about App Development for Influencers →
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.
Read more about my leadership at NitricConcepts →
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.
Read more about the Athion.net Turnaround →
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.
Read more about MotherboardRepair.ca →
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.
Read more about the ShowerLoop Project →
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 (sunset project now fully 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.
Read more about my open source contributions →
Relevant Links & Web Impact
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
Read more about PlotSquared & FastAsyncWorldEdit →
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
Oh My Form (Sunset Project)
2020 - 2022
Led development of Oh My Form (now sunset and succeeded by Formbricks), 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
Read more about my open source success →