Cybersecurity attacks and threats gain a lot of publicity in the press, but cybersecurity experts rarely get the spotlight. As a celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and as a note of appreciation to these silent heroes, we at OPSWAT have sat down and had a chat with four of our own cybersecurity experts to get a better understanding of their motivations, what brings them to cybersecurity, and what advice they have to break into the cyber industry.
Irfan Shakeel
How did you get into cybersecurity?
Curiosity is what motivated me. I’ve always been interested in learning how the internet works, what the protocols are, and how bad guys break into the system.
What advice do you have for someone considering a cybersecurity career?
Learn the concepts behind computing fundamentals, networking concepts, & programming languages. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving. Things change rapidly, so be an insatiable learner.
What resources do you recommend for those looking to advance in cybersecurity?
- OPSWAT Academy to learn about critical infrastructure cybersecurity
- Practical Malware Analysis (book) to learn about malware analysis
- Practical Reverse Engineering (book) to learn about advanced reversing techniques
Kira Parisi
What do you like most about working in cybersecurity?
Working in cybersecurity is like playing defense on a sports team. I am one of many that play a role in providing customers with a quality product to defend and protect their critical infrastructure. To be in a role that has such a positive impact in the world—it’s what motivates me to go to work every day.
What’s one of the coolest projects you’ve worked on?
I’m currently working on MetaDefender Access—the one-stop shop for OPSWAT customers to manage their devices and ensure they are meeting compliance requirements for their organizations.
What resources do you recommend to those considering a cybersecurity career?
OPSWAT has free courses at OPSWAT Academy that can kickstart your cybersecurity education. I’ve also utilized Udemy and YouTube to learn more about cybersecurity and other software-related subjects.
Pete Lund
What do you like most about working in cybersecurity?
I like knowing that the work I am doing in the Industrial cybersecurity space helps protect and secure our way of life.
What is one of the coolest projects you’ve worked on in cybersecurity?
One of my favorite projects was ideating and implementing ways to secure legacy tech like dial-up modems and serial connected devices.
What advice would you give to someone considering a cybersecurity career?
Get experience learning the administration, integration, and engineering aspects of the systems that make up IT/OT. This knowledge is key when it comes to applying security concepts to real world systems.
Onnik Tateossian
What do you like most about working in cybersecurity?
Every day feels new and exciting as the field evolves right before your eyes! There are so many talented people at OPSWAT and I have the privilege of leading a team of skilled analysts to support their ever-changing needs. I get so much value and joy empowering them to be their very best.
What is one of the coolest projects you’ve worked on in cybersecurity?
I got to be involved with the creation of the CyberTrailer, which demonstrates how OPSWAT protects IT and OT infrastructure in many different areas of the critical infrastructure sector. We wired, programmed, and installed every piece that went into it, while also engaging with almost every area of OPSWAT to see it come to fruition!
What advice would you give to someone considering a cybersecurity career?
I always encourage people to love what they do. It’s what motivates me to roll out of bed every day, to push myself in every area I can, and to take every opportunity for continual education. It all starts with loving what you do!
Behind every advanced cybersecurity system are humans, meticulously and tirelessly working to protect our critical infrastructure and our way of life. OPSWAT is filled with talented and innovative people who are always aspiring to create better cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructures. We respect the creativity and the knowledge each team member brings, and we care about cultivating your talent.
Ready to see yourself in cyber? Join us today on our mission to protect the world’s critical infrastructure from malware and zero-day threats. Check out our OPSWAT Careers page to get started.
