Employee Spotlight – Solandra Brewster – Security Boulevard

We spoke to Lead Network Security Analyst, Solandra Brewster

For this month’s employee spotlight piece, we spoke to Lead Network Security Analyst, Solandra Brewster.

What do you do at SE Labs?

I am a Lead Network Security Analyst

What are some of the challenges you face in your day-to-day work?

Networking is fascinating, it keeps you on your toes literally and figuratively speaking! My team deals with the configuration and troubleshooting of the SE Labs network and all physical as well as virtual devices connected to it.

This line of work along with the unique setup means that we come across unique problems. Sometimes these are both new to us as well as the test tool and security vendors we work with. We spend a lot of time troubleshooting and finding new ways to obtain the desired results. When working with vendors this process allows them to report on potentially new bugs while performing security tests with us.

Tell us about a project you have worked on that you are particularly proud of?

While it might sound cliché, education is very close to my heart, even though my passion lies in IT. Interestingly, my family has a long history of educators and healthcare providers, and I initially wanted to break away from that tradition. My first love in IT was not networking but Digital Forensics. However, societal pressures led me to study business instead. After completing my degree, I realised it wasn’t the path for me, so I moved to the United Kingdom and became a Computer Science teacher at a secondary school.

Fast forward to today, I am part of the team that runs the Level:Up Cyber Security Programme, an initiative envisioned by our CTO, Stefan Dumitrascu, and launched in 2022. This programme aims to inspire students to consider careers in cyber security by providing them with hands-on experience in ethical hacking and network defence. We hope to offer these students a glimpse into the life of a security analyst and encourage them to pursue further education in this field. For me, this programme beautifully merges my background in education with my passion for cyber security, allowing me to inspire the next generation.

Do you have any specific advice for anyone interested in a career in cyber security?

Cyber security is a rapidly evolving field. What is relevant today could be outdated tomorrow. Reflecting on the swift transition from the early days of SMS to the widespread use of smartphones, it’s clear that the landscape changes quickly. If you’re interested in a career in cyber security, don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Start developing the necessary skills and gaining exposure now. Create opportunities for yourself—what begins as a small window of opportunity could eventually become the door to your future career.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In my spare time, I enjoy playing video games, watching anime, hiking, kayaking, and riding my motorcycle or bicycle. I also have a passion for perfecting recipes. During university, I worked at a sandwich shop and loved experimenting with the bakery’s recipes to create the perfect bread. At home, I continue this practice, tweaking dishes until they meet my standards. Additionally, I enjoy combining this culinary hobby with photography, capturing the beauty of my creations.

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The post Employee Spotlight – Solandra Brewster appeared first on SE Labs Blog.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from SE Labs Blog authored by SE Labs Team. Read the original post at: https://blog.selabs.uk/2024/06/employee-spotlight-solandra-brewster/