Currently a Sr Security Architect in the Datacenter division of Lenovo, working in the Product Security Office. Specializing in SecOps, Threat Modeling, IAM, Windows and Microsoft related security, with wide infrastructure experience. Passionate about security architecture and design. I want to make a difference in what I do and protect data and systems. Also a karate instructor and black belt, I help protect people physically and digitally.
Real tech skills are most important, ability to get the job done (play in virtual environments and build things).Industry certifications help validate that and guide learning. Along with relevant degrees to get past HR filters.
Guiding teams to be more secure with Threat Modeling, reviewing requests for new designs or requirements. Creating internal security standards. Keeping up with security news and new technologies. Responding to emails. Reading, writing and commenting in jira and confluence.
Microsoft and other security certifications, masters in computer security, my business degree helped a lot too.
For me I'm where I want to be, so hopefully I can keep this spot for a while. I always wanted to be a "level 3 windows admin" (the top technical role I saw that attracted me in my first role as an intern), then it was a senior technical architect, which I achieved. I'm in a great niche of level of stress, interesting work, and good pay. AI will be a giant disruptor and everyone needs to learn how to use it to speed up their tasks.
Yes every day, for super google searches at least. I use Perplexity. I sometimes use it for drafting security awareness email communications, or other quick communications. Everyone should learn how to use chatgpt and others via APIs.
High "care level", communication skills-EQ, project mgmt skills. In security it's a lot about convincing/reminding people to do things (more securely). I'm mostly a researcher and consultant, I don't actually do much myself directly in my last 2 roles, I guide others.
I got very lucky throughout, and my last couple interviews were also my easiest. Remote work was a nice surprise, during and post pandemic, I'm lucky to work in my PJs!