SuccessBeyond

I chose Seneca because IT Security was an emerging field at the time, and very few universities offered a competitive program. Seneca blended the perfect amount of theory-based learning with practical work, it was a fantastic program.

I had an exceptional time at Seneca in the IFS program because I discovered my passion to learn more about the intricacies of cyber security – specifically malware research. My professors allowed me to expand outside the direct curriculum to explore cutting-edge ideas that ultimately lead me into a master’s degree.

I was extremely motivated to continue developing my malware reverse engineering skills and I figured a master’s degree would best facilitate that professional development.

Seneca prepared me well for the rigors of the graduate degree ahead, and I discovered my passion in penetration testing and exploit development during my masters of IT Security degree. I finished the program early – I successfully defended my thesis 11 months after starting the degree. I developed a malware classification tool that could hash malware with faster runtimes than the competition (ssdeep & sdhash).

I currently work as a Security Architect for CDW Canada, leading the security practice with a heavy focus on designing cyber defensive infrastructures for our customers. I work with leading technology partners to deliver industry-leading solutions that ultimately help organizations prepare themselves for cyber-attacks [and succeed].

Having both degrees helped me develop a discipline for learning that ultimately pushed me forward onto an aggressive and ambitious career path. A Master’s Degree allows for continued valuable education and growth; this is a desired trait among corporate North America.

I would’ve worked with my supervising professor on more contracts/projects, as the exposure to the industry was extremely valuable.

Passion is everything! Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile, you’ll find there’s often no traffic.