As a VET, I got into cyber through…a military assignment as an Army Signals Intelligence Officer, which turned out to be a case of being in the right place at the right time. I was fortunate to work in real-world collection operations leveraging highly advanced technologies against a variety of foreign targets of interest. 

This was in the early 2000s and our mission set expanded into other technologies that our adversaries were using, including mobile and internet-based communications. We developed some of the earliest cyber collection tools particularly as our adversaries in the Global War on Terror used the internet for primary communications at that time. Where the broader cyber domain and the career field as a profession has evolved to today is just astonishing.    

The life experience that helped me transition into cyber was…the opportunity to serve in the Army as a Signals Intelligence Officer and the technical training that the Army and Department of Defense (DoD) provided me. I always encourage those who are interested in military service and cyber to consider a career via the military. All Services have a cyber career path and will give you access to the top training in the world.

The key skill that has set me up for success is…a desire to learn and to be hands-on. When you are a student of the business that you are in, you cannot fail!

My top tip to those interested in transitioning to a career in cybersecurity is…ask a lot of questions of those who are in the career field and build your network of professionals who are in the career field as you start out. The cyber profession is similar to the healthcare market where there are many specialties, technical, and non-technical career fields. It’s a large and growing market and will continue to evolve into new areas, which is very exciting.

The quote I live by…“Treat each day like it’s a job interview” – Anonymous. I find this quote to be a nice reminder to always do my best.

My recommended read is…anything having to do with military history.  I find so many applicable lessons in topics like competence, leadership, trust, risk taking, winning/losing, and problem solving in this category.  Some of my favorites are The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill During the Blitz by Erik Larson, 1776 by David McCullough, and Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.