A Journey into Cybersecurity: Passion, Contribution, and Challenges
Omokolade Ogunleye
In this month’s feature, we had the pleasure of conversing with Omokolade Ogunleye who is making his mark in the fast-paced world of cybersecurity with a unique blend of passion, curiosity, and dedication. Omokolade is no stranger to the ISC2 Alberta Community; we credit him for helping us maintain the seamless operation of our website. Keep reading for insights into his journey from his love of technology to what he feels are the pressing challenges of the field.
Q) How did you initially become interested in the field of cybersecurity, and what motivated you to pursue it as a career?
"My journey into the realm of cybersecurity was ignited by an immeasurable love for technology and a naturally curious personality. Then, I was accustomed to building and misusing stuff and having fun doing them, which led me to make defending and protecting the digital jewels that we value so dearly today a career. My career in cybersecurity is driven by a combination of passion, curiosity, hard work, and unwavering commitment. As time went on, I also recognized how lucrative working in this field could be."
Q) What roles or positions have you held in the cybersecurity industry?
· Security Engineer
· Information Security Officer
· Technology Risk Consultant
Q) What notable contributions have you made to the cybersecurity community?
"My proudest contribution to the community is the folks I have helped to get started in cybersecurity. Mentoring and supporting newcomers have been a rewarding endeavor. Other contributions, including research, tools development, and blogging at https://infosecbyomokolade.com, are all ongoing, while others are in the pipeline."
Q) In your opinion, what are the most pressing cybersecurity challenges that organizations and individuals currently face?
"Among the myriad challenges in cybersecurity, one often overlooked issue is the prevalence of incompetence and ill-preparedness that impairs resilience. These challenges are significant and warrant more attention."
Q) How do you believe these challenges can be mitigated or addressed effectively?
"While comprehensive solutions can't be condensed into a few sentences, the key lies in doing the right thing. Rethinking how we recruit and prepare our cybersecurity workforce is vital. Cyber adversaries don't tolerate mediocrity, and they only need one victory to inflict substantial damage. On the defensive side, an incompetent team will struggle to prevail. We must always be vigilant, proactive, at the top of our game, and ready to win on all fronts."
Q) Can you share any long-term goals or aspirations you have as a cybersecurity expert?
"My personal vision and mission statements, as they apply to every aspect of my life, are no exception to my career as a cybersecurity professional:
Vision statement: A place where efficiency, resiliency, sustainability, and getting the best are the norm. Mission statement: Solving problems through sustainable innovations and automation with optimum reliability.
I do not consider myself an expert in the field. I am far from it. I see information security as a journey. That said, my long-term goal in this journey is to make my mark by tackling the industry's most challenging problems sustainably through research, innovations, and automation in such a way that makes us think about cybersecurity differently—ways that make our adversaries want to quit."
If you loved learning hearing Omokolade’s thoughts as much as we did, then check out his blog at https://infosecbyomokolade.com
