Cybersecurity Speaker Highlights
Speaker Notes
David Tomasz
Big Threats:
- Ransomware attacks
- Foreign IP theft (China)
Advice:
- Develop soft skills (leadership, organization)
- Build your professional network
Future Trends:
- 9-5 mindset is outdated
- Learn from talented peers
Victor Nzeata (Army Reserves, Cybersecurity Academy Grad)
Notable Cases:
- Prevented military data leaks
- Investigated senior executive leaking company secrets
Career Tips:
- “Be nice, be passionate, do it well”
- Get IT degree + specialize
- AI security is growing field
Big Concerns:
- Weaponized AI
- Zero-day vulnerabilities
Tricia Mercer (Professor)
Key Experiences:
- Stopped proprietary data theft
- Trained soldiers on data security
Why Cybersecurity?
- Inspired by “The Cuckoo’s Egg”
- Loves catching “bad guys”
Must-Have Skills:
- Learn CS fundamentals
- Speak “business language”
- Phishing defense expertise
Common Themes
- Cybersecurity = 50% tech + 50% people skills
- Specialization pays off (AI, healthcare, etc.)
- Entry paths vary (degrees, certs, military)
- Stay updated - threats evolve daily
Key Takeaways
- Communication is critical - explain tech to non-tech people
- Networking opens doors - “hack” your professional connections
- Passion matters as much as technical skills
- Continuous learning is mandatory in this field
Reflection
After that presentation, I feel like I understand a lot more about the field of cybersecurity. The presenters were really good and I was able to learn a lot about what they were saying (even if the microphone was a little quiet). I didn’t expect Mr. Tomasz to be able to talk that much about his work, since the FBI is usually pretty private about it. I don’t think I will go into cyber security as a career, but it was really interesting to hear from all 3 of the speakers about their work in the cybersecurity field. From Tricia I gathered that if you want to succeed in the field you need people skills, which I have heard about a lot of different fields. It’s interesting to hear about all of the jobs that people have under the umbrella of cybersecurity because if you don’t know anything about it it feels like it is only one line of jobs, but it is actually manyu differnt jobs that makes up cybersecurity.
