Sam Hollifield, cyber security research technical professional, contributes to solutions for critical transportation systems. For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we asked Sam about his cybersecurity career. Check out his responses below.
What led you to pursue a career in cybersecurity?
When I was twelve years old my parents bought me a computer and dial-up connection. I remember the most talked about vulnerability at that time was the “Win32 Blaster Worm” which propagated through networks and would force a computer reboot with an ominous sixty-second countdown. I first heard about it on the evening news, and shortly thereafter experienced the same unavoidable countdown and reboot. From that moment, I was hooked. How was I infected? Who made this thing? What else is out there? How do I stop it? Although cybersecurity wasn’t my first career, this lifelong curiosity never waned. My passion was to understand and solve security implications created by our electronics. I made a career transition from a non-technical field in my late twenties and haven’t looked back.
Why is cybersecurity research important to national security?
Cybersecurity research gives us the ability to ask questions and use scientific rigor to find answers. Technology advances at an incredible rate, and it is important to consider its implications to national security. ORNL, and other national labs, are charged with bridging the gap in cybersecurity between purely academic research and commercial applications. This unique position gives us the ability to verify and analyze commercial technologies as well as implement state-of-the-art defenses through collaboration with the research community. The importance of this research is immeasurable, as adversaries are also keen on improving their capabilities. Staying ahead of the cybersecurity ‘cat-and-mouse’ game is paramount to maintaining the security of our nation.
In two sentences, what do you do as a cybersecurity professional?
My research contributes to solutions for critical transportation systems. My work involves prototyping and engineering embedded devices which secure network communications.
Do you have any advice for students thinking about pursuing a career in cybersecurity?
Do it! Cybersecurity is a broad and complex field. There are many types of roles and skills that transfer between them. Apply to many internship opportunities, talk to professionals in your field, and remain curious. It also comes with great job security. The world continues to become more interconnected, and it’s surprising where cybersecurity professionals are needed.
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