E14 - Evgeniy Kharam at Cyber Inspiration Podcast

On today’s episode, we’re joined by our host and Cybersecurity Network Consultant, Oliver Linsley and special guest, Evgeniy Kharam, Consultant at Cyber Security and Media Consulting. During this episode, Evgeniy talks through his journey into the security field and some of the highlights along the way including starting up his two podcasts and his motivations behind those. He also discusses what will have the biggest impact on the cybersecurity industry in the coming years.

In the world of cybersecurity, experience and knowledge are highly valued attributes, and our special guest, Evgeniy Kharam, has plenty of both. Evgeniy’s journey into the cybersecurity field began during his time in the navy, where he worked on the maintenance of ships and helicopters. Although he was initially more involved in IT work rather than cybersecurity, his experience with Linux, Windows, and networking laid the foundation for his future success.

After leaving the Navy, Evgeniy joined Check Point, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, as a GA analyst. During his two years there, he gained invaluable experience working with firewalls and protocols. His time at Check Point provided him with a solid grounding in the technical aspects of cybersecurity, which would serve him well in his future endeavours.

Starting his podcasts…

Evgeniy’s next step was to join the Herjavec Group, where he worked for 15 years before deciding it was time to move on. However, before jumping into his next role, he took some time to reflect on his career and his aspirations. It was during this period that he started his two podcasts, one of which is more technical, while the other is focused on architecture and is less technical. The podcasts allowed him to explore different topics in cybersecurity and provide a platform to share his insights with others.

Ski & Snowboard CyberSecurity Conference…

In addition to his podcasts and consulting work, Evgeniy Kharam has also played a role in organising a unique cybersecurity event that combines learning with outdoor recreation. Along with a colleague, he helped to set up the Ski and Snowboard Cybersecurity Conference in Canada, which gives people the opportunity to learn about cybersecurity while also enjoying the slopes.

The conference is designed to bring together professionals from the cybersecurity industry for a few days of skiing, snowboarding, and networking.

Evgeniy Kharam’s motivation for organising the Ski and Snowboard Cybersecurity Conference goes beyond simply providing a fun and unique way for professionals to learn about cybersecurity. As a firm believer in the value of soft skills, he recognises the importance of building personal connections and relationships in the industry.

With so much of our communication now taking place digitally, it’s easy to lose that personal touch that comes from face-to-face conversations. By bringing together cybersecurity professionals in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, the Ski and Snowboard Cybersecurity Conference creates opportunities for attendees to connect with one another on a personal level. This can help to build trust, foster collaboration, and encourage the sharing of ideas and best practices.

According to him, the key to success in cybersecurity is to first learn the basics and understand the importance of soft skills. While technical skills are essential in the field of cybersecurity, it’s equally important to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills. As Kharam points out, at some point in your career, you’ll need to be able to take a technical problem and translate it into a business use case or vice versa. This requires not only technical knowledge but also the ability to communicate complex ideas to different audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.

Tune in on the 23/03/2023 to listen to the full episode!