This month’s Extraordinary Explorer features Nick Eastby, Chief Operating Officer & Post Advisor for CentraComm Cybersecurity Exploring program. We visited with him and discussed his involvement and view of the program.

If you are interested in learning more about Cybersecurity careers join our Dec. 15, 6 p.m. virtual Zoom meeting Exploring is open for all youth 14-20 years of age who have completed the 8^th grade. The Zoom meeting details are below.

1. What are you most proud of in accomplishing?

   1. Making the decision to join the military through the delayed entry program while still in high school.  That allowed me to travel and mature quickly.  Through the GI Bill, I funded my own college education with no loans or help from my parents.

2. Cyber security careers are in the top 10 fasts growing careers.  Where do you see cybersecurity headed over the next 10 years?

   1. It will continue to be more prevalent in both the private and public sectors.  The number of connected devices is growing at an incredible pace and that means more targets for bad actors.  While AI (Artificial Intelligence) is going to play a huge role in protection, those with the knowledge and skills to help defend against threats are going to be in extremely high demand.

3. Did the Exploring program aid you in career exploration? If so, how?

   1. I wasn’t aware of the Exploring program while in high school, which was in the early 1990’s.  However, learning and experience is such an important part of pursuing a career that I would have definitely been interested.

4. How did you get started in the cybersecurity field?

   1. While I didn’t know it at the time, being a team member of a TOC (Tactical Operations Center) while in the Army was an introduction to cybersecurity.  I later studied information systems and operations management in college, and my first job was working in a network operations center.  That experience ultimately led to managing a network and security operations team at CentraComm.

5. What were some of your interests growing up in Junior and Senior High School?  How has those interest shape who you are now?

   1. I liked school, played sports, hung out with friends, played in the band in junior high school, worked as a bus boy and at the car wash, loved family vacations.  Variety is the spice of life.  Have fun and try tings while you are young, and it will help give you options as you get older.

6. What advice would you give to a smart, driven college students about to enter the “real world”?

   1. Do the right thing – ethics, morals and empathy are critical to long term success and happiness.   Keep learning.  Find a mentor.  Customer service is king.  Culture eats strategy for breakfast.  Ignore the naysayers.

7. Any other comments you would like to add

   1. Thank you to both the students and leaders of all the Exploring groups…working together to create opportunities and our next generation of skilled professionals is a great cause.