Philadelphia Cybersecurity Director Uses Networking When Looking For New Hires
Justin Weddington is director of security at vendor risk and cyber threat intelligence innovator, Prevalent, Inc.. Weddington has over 14 years of experience in his field. He studied at the University of Baltimore and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
What kind of degree is needed to secure a job in your field?
"While not mandatory for all positions, many organizations require at minimum a four-year degree to get hired. Management information systems and computer science degrees are just two of the degrees that may lead to a career path in cybersecurity and give some of the base fundamentals needed for a career in cybersecurity. As a security professional, it is important to understand the objectives of the business that you are working for and how the cybersecurity solutions you develop and implement will add value to the business. When I hire, I not only look for someone who has a technical understanding of cybersecurity principles but for someone who will embody Prevalent's core values of passion, communication, excellence, responsibility, integrity, performance, learning and customer value."
What's the most challenging aspects of your job?
"Staying ahead of the continually evolving threat landscape and discovering the best talent can be challenging. Cybersecurity adversaries have time, resources and motivation on their side so it takes constant learning, development, and hard work to stay ahead of cybersecurity threats. Finding a good fit for our team is challenging in the competitive cybersecurity field, so we work through our networks, recruiters and universities to try to retain the best talent that will exemplify our core values."
After graduation, how hard was it to transition into the working world?
"For me, it wasn't hard at all to transition into the working world. I was fortunate to be able to find work in the cybersecurity industry while I was taking classes. That experience leads me to the position I am working in today. My advice to graduates is to maintain a good professional image and a strong work ethic to be successful in the field. Students should try to seek out internship opportunities in the cybersecurity field during their course of study, and after graduation, find a position that they are passionate about within a company that they will enjoy working for."
What advice would you give someone who is pursuing a career in cybersecurity?
"Educate, experience, and network. Take time on a regular basis to learn about new technology, cybersecurity practices, and business principles. Explore and implement new technologies, learn about the way businesses operate and get experience working with cybersecurity wherever possible. Network online, attend cybersecurity industry association events and socialize at career fairs. Strive to be professional and deliver an excellent work product."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. She reports on various topics such as: Social Media, Local Events, Entertainment, Food and Drink and more. Her work can be found at http://firstsendmedia.com/
