By Eddie Johnson, Pupil and Alumni Affairs Intern and JR Morton, Pupil and Alumni Affairs Liaison
Immediately’s cybersecurity is much more difficult than ever earlier than, as a result of Web of Issues (IoT) expertise, deliver your individual gadgets (BYOD) and cloud companies. It’s a discipline that’s ever-evolving and requires a proactive method.
For College alumnus Dave Ruiz, cybersecurity is not only a job, however a calling. It aligns together with his want to shield and serve others.
Struggles and Triumphs in Larger Schooling
Throughout his lengthy profession and several other deployments within the U.S. Military, Dave’s work concerned many features of cybersecurity. For instance, he performed vulnerability assessments, put cybersecurity polices in place to guard info and educated others by offering cybersecurity training.
In Could 2022, Dave separated from the Military and started working as a part-time contractor for Holt Information Options. Later, he moved on to turn into a cybersecurity chief for Fayetteville Public Works Communication.
Nonetheless, Dave confronted important challenges in finishing his bachelor’s diploma at conventional universities. The rigid nature of in-person courses and course schedules conflicted together with his job, typically inflicting delays in his instructional progress.
Because of this, Dave regarded for on-line programs and located the College. He then accomplished a bachelor’s diploma in IT administration and went on to earn a grasp’s diploma in IT info assurance and safety.
Giving Again to the College Group
Dave says, “It’s necessary to discover a mentor and the correct area of interest within the various discipline of cybersecurity. Steering and help are essential for fulfillment.”
Dave’s expertise fueled his want to offer again to the neighborhood that supplied him with help. He’s actively concerned within the College neighborhood and holds a number of roles, together with:
- President of the Expertise Professionals Group
- College Ambassador
- Alumni Advisory Council member
- Expertise advisor to numerous pupil organizations
- Graduation volunteer
Recommendation to Future Cybersecurity College students
Dave’s future objectives embrace teaching, mentoring, and motivating others who’re on their path to educational success. He says, “Authenticity is essential to being an efficient mentor and educator. In right now’s world, the place learners have entry to huge quantities of knowledge at their fingertips, being real and ready is crucial.”
Certifications are helpful in cybersecurity, and there are a lot of potential certifications that may be earned. Dave says that among the most helpful certifications embrace:
- CompTIA Safety+®
- Licensed Data Methods Safety Skilled (CISSP®)
- Licensed Moral Hacker (CEH®)
- Licensed Data Methods Auditor (CISA®)
- Licensed Data Safety Supervisor (CISM®)
- International Data Assurance Certification (GIAC) Licensed Incident Handler (GCIH®)
- Methods Safety Licensed Practitioner (SSCP®)
- GIAC Safety Necessities Certification (GSEC®)
For college kids who wish to enter cybersecurity, he advises, “Make sure that to analysis your choices and choose the one that most closely fits your finish purpose.”
CompTIA Safety+ is a registered trademark of the Computing Expertise Business Affiliation, Inc.
Licensed Data Methods Safety Skilled is a registered trademark of the Worldwide Data Methods Safety Certification Consortium, Inc.
Licensed Moral Hacker is a registered trademark of the Worldwide Council of E-Commerce Consultants.
Licensed Data Methods Auditor is a registered trademark of the Data Methods Audit and Management Affiliation.
Licensed Data Safety Supervisor is a registered trademark of the Data Methods Audit and Management Affiliation.
GCIH is a registered trademark of the International Data Assurance Certification.
Methods Safety Licensed Practitioner is a registered trademark of the Worldwide Data Methods Safety Certification Consortium (ISC)², Inc.
GIAC Safety Necessities Certification is a registered trademark of the Escal Institute of Superior Applied sciences, Inc.
Concerning the Authors
Eddie Johnson is a Pupil and Alumni Affairs intern and a lately retired Military Veteran. He’s at the moment a contractor for the Air Drive in his area people and has began a nonprofit structured round communication and life abilities that can encourage native youth to be beneficial residents of their communities.Â
John Robert Morton is a Pupil & Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the College for 14 years. His bachelor’s diploma in European historical past is from Troy College in Troy, Alabama. He additionally accomplished grasp’s levels in political science and sports activities administration from American Army College. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys serving to college students and alumni obtain their private {and professional} objectives.
About Our Division
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Workplace is devoted to sustaining lifelong relationships with college alumni by offering participating alternatives to remain concerned and related. We work carefully with numerous stakeholders to strengthen the alumni expertise and supply quite a few advantages, companies, actions, and occasions all year long.
As a group, the Alumni Affairs group works to construct and maintain relationships with alumni alongside their private {and professional} journeys. We actively search for methods to acknowledge and showcase alumni, telling their tales to inspire and encourage college students to pursue their objectives.
If you’re a member of the alumni neighborhood and are in search of methods to stay actively concerned, please contact alumni@apus.edu and converse with a member of the group.
