E13 - Joe Griffiths at Fujitsu

On today’s episode of the Security Vendor spin-off series, we were joined by our host and Head of Cyber Security, Lewis West and our special guest, Joe Griffiths, Advanced Threat Services Team Lead at Fujitsu. During this episode, they discuss Joe’s starting point in his career all the way through to where he is today involving his transition into the security field. He also discusses some of the most important skills he thinks someone needs to have under their belt if they’re considering a career in the security space.

Joe began his career in the networking field about 8 to 9 years ago when he secured an apprenticeship with OGL Computer. During the 12-month apprenticeship, he moved around different departments and gained valuable knowledge and experience by spending time in the workshop and on the helpdesk. About 6 to 8 months in, OGL Computer offered him a full-time role in their hosting division, which became his primary role.

Joe spent a lot of time on the road during his time at OGL Computer, but he eventually moved up to become a team lead. As a team leader, his work became more office-based and involved project management. He stayed in this role for 2 years before moving to an installation role for a year. After that, he moved to the helpdesk and then to a server-level role dealing with 3rd line.

Eventually, Joe made the move to Cyberguard, where he started at the bottom doing 1st line work. Over time, he was able to work his way up to a more advanced role before eventually making the move to Fujitsu at the beginning of the year. At Fujitsu, Joe serves as the Advanced Services Team Lead, where he is the technical lead for projects and the escalation point for 2nd and 3rd line staff.

Transitioning into cybersecurity…

Joe’s journey from the networking field to cybersecurity is a testament to the idea that sometimes, boredom can be the catalyst for change. He admits that he moved purely out of boredom, as he spent a lot of time doing the same calls day in and day out. However, the stakes are much higher in cybersecurity, and the work is much more interesting.

To degree or to not degree?

The question of whether to get a degree in cybersecurity or not is a common one in the industry. Joe shares his personal experience on this matter. According to Joe, not having a degree in cybersecurity has not done him any harm, but he believes that it is worth getting one. The industry is currently short of talent, and as a result, it can be difficult for employers to take a gamble on someone with no security experience. Having a degree in cybersecurity can make it easier for job seekers to get their foot in the door.

However, not having a degree does not mean that it is impossible to get into the industry. There is always a chance that someone will take a bet on a candidate without a degree, especially if they have a strong technical background. In fact, some of the best analysts that Joe has worked with did not have degrees in cybersecurity but had a strong tech background.

One of the most important skills for anyone considering a career in cybersecurity is passion. The cybersecurity industry is relentless, and it requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and focus. Without passion, it can be very easy to get burnt out and lose motivation.

Having a passion for the field means having a genuine interest and excitement for cybersecurity. It means being willing to put in the time and effort required to stay up to date with the latest technologies and threats. It also means having the desire to learn and continually improve your skills.

Tune in on the 16/03/2023!