Lessons from a Gray Beard: Transitioning from the Military to Cybersecurity

With thirty years of experience in the military, JC Vega now shares his experiences as a "gray beard" in the role of a cyber range coach. When asked about transitioning from the military to cybersecurity, JC offers advice that applies across fields: consider a path that lets you prioritize quality of life, career advancement, and job satisfaction however best suits your personal goals. JC explains why military veterans possess innate security training, shares lessons learned from participants in the cyber range, and suggests resources for embarking on a career in cybersecurity (including getting interested in the field through science fiction — live long and prosper). For more security stories, visit SecurityIntelligence.com or follow IBM Security on Twitter and LinkedIn.