Name: Tiffany Temple
Title: Cyber Security Analyst
Employer: City of Greensboro
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.A.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems – East Carolina University, Master of Science in Information Technology Management – University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Years in IT: 5
Years in information security: 4
Cybersecurity certifications: SSCP

 

How did you decide upon a career in cybersecurity?

I was encouraged by my current boss to transition from Help Desk duties to an Information Security role after she saw in me the analytical skills necessary to succeed. It was a seamless transition for me and I can honestly say one of the best decisions I have made, as I have been learning new things and enhancing my skill set ever since.

Why did you get your SSCP^®?

Upon beginning my role as a Security Analyst, I knew very little about the position and what cybersecurity entailed. I became enthralled with learning more about this ever-growing field and how it affects our daily lives. I knew the contents of the SSCP study material would allow me to dig deeper into the realm of cybersecurity so that I could better protect myself and those around me from cyber threats.

What is a typical day like for you? 

A typical day…what is that? Every day I come into work thinking that I will work on routine operational tasks, but the demands of my position typically have a different plan for me. If I am not provisioning accounts or running e-discovery searches, I am more than likely assisting my counterparts with awareness training, remediating malware issues, or assisting internal users that have become the latest victim of a phishing scam.

Can you tell us about a personal career highlight? 

A personal career highlight for me would be gaining the trust and support of my fellow employees to provide security assistance and advice. Understandably so, it took them a while to open up to and trust me as they were so used to dealing with my boss, whom is the Cyber Security Compliance Officer. Having them cooperate with me and trust me with their requests was an accomplishment enough.

How has the SSCP certification helped you in your career?

The SSCP certification has helped me think and work differently, in ways that allow me to see the bigger picture when it comes to cybersecurity and its many facets. In turn, this has allowed me to proactively protect the users in my organization and react quickly to remediate issues in dire situations.

 

What is the most useful advice you have for other information security professionals?

The most useful advice that I have for other infosec professionals would be to continue to educate yourself outside of your position. Use that knowledge to grow professionally and personally, as well as enhancing collaboration with your counterparts and other IT professionals that you work with daily. 

Educate others and share your wealth of knowledge regarding the area you are most proficient in. It is never too early to begin educating the children about what is happening in our world today and it is never too late to assist our older generations with basic computer safety tips. As professionals in our field, it is our job to do our due diligence in not only protecting ourselves and those at work, but protecting our community from identity fraud, credit card scams, and cyber attacks.

 

For more information on the Systems Security Certified Practitioner certification, download our Ultimate Guide to the SSCP .