Cybersecurity Careers Go Beyond Coding: Coder’s paraphraser.

The field of cybersecurity is very diverse and fast-growing career field, where you don’t need to be a coder or have coding background. Cybersecurity experts work in threat analysis, project management (or other fields) law, research and development, auditing or other areas.

A diverse network of cybersecurity professionals working to protect networks and set standards is NIST’s foundation for protecting us — and our data – safer.’ Three of their stories are below.

Are there any hackers who would like to jump-start your own cybersecurity career? Visit the Cybersecurity Career Week website and NIST’s careers page for more information.

Cherilyn Pascoe, Director, National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

Until joining NIST, I spent 12 years developing technology policy for the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee (one of my most notable accomplishments was leading the Senate passage of what ultimately became CHIPS and Science Act).

After joining NIST, I became a part of the role that eventually led to my position as leader in an Nist Cybersecurity Framework program. This framework is considered the gold standard in cybersecurity. I didn’t have any technical background but has gained knowledge through hands-on work and certifications. But really diving into NIT’s cybersecurity publications is just an education itself!

Now I am the director of NIST’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) – an association where government and industry work together to solve cybersecurity challenges through integration of standards and technology. About half my time is spent working with partners and attending conferences representing the NCCoe, while other half is dedicated to monitoring progress of our various projects.

Throughout my career I’ve been looking for opportunities to push the boundaries of technology and innovation as well as making them more useful to society. A large part of that is translating complicated, technical problems into something meaningful for wider audiences.

But the best part about working at NIST is seeing the real impact of our work.’ At the NCCoE, we are a team of hundreds of organizations that solves many cyber challenges facing businesses today.NIST also provides us with freedom and flexibility to pursue solutions which align with our expertise; so we can make’significant difference in the cybersecurity issues most interesting or important to us’Seeing how much it will be for this company has been doing something really good?

Jody Jacobs, Computer Scientist, Information Technology Laboratory

I had an interesting career pathway that led me to the cybersecurity field. 

After graduating with a background in environmental science, I was very active in the field of environmental sciences. When that career path ended up applying for many jobs (including one entry-level administrative job with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and another application to those positions were an entry level administrative position). In my interviews she said: ‘I see you have some computer experience. Would you be – system administrator?’ She added: “Sure” I got the job but went straight to the bookstore as soon as I could get books on her resume.

My job experience was as a system administrator for ages and I got my master’s while working full-time. I went from contract to contract in order to do cybersecurity consulting for several federal government agencies. Network administration, policy writing, risk and impact analysis and cybersecurity disaster recovery planning were the fields where I received my feet wet in the dot-com field.

When I was working 24 hours straight WHEW! In 1999, I analyzed the impact of the Y2K rollover. I made plans and ran scenarios and conducted exercises on what might be possible if y2k led to computer Armageddon.I kept up in the SAIC Command Center watching the clock tick down, minutes and seconds.When nothing happened…i took a nap under my desk.

After getting a job at NIST to work on standards, I presented Nist and federal guidance updates to stakeholders and then ran the group called the Federal Computer Security Managers Forum. Now I am doing research in phishing and human-centered cybersecurity. Love this new position because it is my passion for computer and Human-based research.

The fact that I am one of the very few women in science and cybersecurity has been my personal, educational and professional career. I have attended many cyber conferences where only a couple of female attendees attend them. My mom is sat with daughter daughter who loves science.

My role is to continue and return the women that helped me in my career at SAIC, just like I did for a chance on her earlier in life. I have taken up every opportunity of supporting girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). As soon as I joined NIST it was joining the Women in STEM organization and am currently serving on the Girls in Science Executive Board.

I love working at NIST because it allows me to pursue many of my other passions, such as mentoring, leadership training and diversity, equity and inclusion. Every one who I have met is so nice and willing to go the extra mile for each other in Nist’s family and myself. My husband has been a member of NIT (NIST) management that accepts questions and answers them. His daughter attended NST’S child care center. She also works for NIS. But she can’t help but return by “paying it forward”.

Kristina Rigopoulos, Director of Communications, Cybersecurity and Privacy

Courtesy of Kristina Rigopoulos

My first internship after college at a public relations firm was to enter government contracting and consulting — communications projects for federal agencies and Fortune 50 clients, which I worked on for several years.

My master’s in communications was completed and I had an offer for a job on cgrt. contract with cyberneology, never looked back. I love cybersecurity because every day is different. The projects are interesting but the work is important.

I am the director of cybersecurity and privacy at NIST, a subject matter expert in engagement, coordination and development of communication materials. I have an unusual perspective on Nist because my background is crisis communications, public relations, cybersecurity (and scientific research).

I was recently involved in releasing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.I worked behind the scenes on some of the publications, tools and communications planning projects. It is such an important project that has been very exciting to work with people who were really enthusiastic and proud of it.

I am working at NIST. I have been in Nist for 10 years and always impressed with my colleagues, so glad to work with them.

For Cybersecurity Career Week, join the manyevents, visit our resources or join in the conversation on social media.