For the modern cybersecurity team, good learning and development programs are not just a benefit — they are a necessity.
Racing to address the constantly evolving host of digital threats in today’s technical landscape, the cybersecurity industry exists in an eternal cat-and-mouse game as security professionals work to keep ahead of the virtual curve. Cybersecurity employees often see continuous learning as both a job responsibility and, potentially, a niche area of technology to grow passionate about.
There is no overstating the critical importance of cybersecurity in the workplace, and as more businesses grow their online presence, the need for cybersecurity professionals is increasing. According to a report from Forbes Advisor, the average data breach cost businesses $4.9 million in 2024, and the number of information security roles is expected to grow by 32 percent by 2032.
In this growing and crucial field, cybersecurity teams and the businesses that support them benefit greatly from robust learning and development programs. By empowering employees with key resources — and encouraging teams to foster their own supportive, learning-centered culture — these organizations are protecting their employees from digital risk, helping employees advance their careers and upgrading their skill sets to remain competitive in the industry. Investing in cybersecurity career development is a rare win-win-win.
Built In sat down with cybersecurity professionals at five companies to discuss daily life, learning and the reasons they joined their current team.
McCain Foods is a global food production company offering a variety of products, including the brand’s famous french fries.
Why did you join McCain Foods’ cybersecurity team? What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m an information security analyst; my job function revolves around security awareness and training. I’m based outside of our Toronto Office.
Having just graduated from the cybersecurity and threats management program at Seneca College, I wanted to start at a place where I could have roots and continue to grow. When the opportunity for an intern position appeared, I accepted happily as I admired the work culture at McCain, the shared belief in family values and working with experts in the field.
What makes McCain Foods’ approach to cybersecurity unique? What gets you most excited to get out of bed each day?
I love what I do. The information security team is dedicated to providing a cybersecure environment at McCain, and it is a goal that I work towards to make sure McCain is protected from cyberattacks. What makes it even more special is that McCain provides opportunities for personalized learning plans that fit my development needs and support my current role.
How can someone accelerate their cybersecurity career at McCain Foods?
The technology team at McCain believes in the continuous growth of employees by providing learning opportunities and resources. At McCain, learning is considered a key element to succeed, which is something I didn’t experience in other organizations.
“At McCain, learning is considered a key element to succeed, which is something I didn’t experience in other organizations.”
I would definitely encourage and recommend IT talents to become a part of McCain. They invest in their people, and the working environment is very healthy. All team members will readily and selflessly share their knowledge to help adjust to the new role.
Cisco Meraki simplifies the digital workplace by providing cloud-controlled Wi-Fi, routing and security solutions.
Why did you join Cisco Meraki’s cybersecurity team? What does a typical day look like for you?
I wanted to understand the approach Cisco Meraki takes to securing software as a cloud-based company — and to work with great people. A typical day for me involves interacting with external researchers and analyzing their bug reports submitted through our bug bounty program, collaborating with engineers to securely implement fixes and working with the rest of the application security team on projects that aim to improve the security of our software.
What makes Cisco Meraki’s approach to cybersecurity unique? What gets you most excited to get out of bed each day?
Cross-team collaboration within Meraki security is valued and promoted. Consequently, issues are approached with multiple perspectives to reach the best secure solution.
The initial appeal for me was the opportunity to engage with the bug bounty community, but working with Meraki engineers has been a great pleasure. Whether I am reaching out to discuss a potential issue or asking questions about a feature, the teams have always been engaged, open to helping and eager to understand the concerns. They take pride in the software they’re building and are committed to enhancing its security.
“Cisco Meraki’s teams have always been engaged, open to helping, and eager to understand the concerns.”
How can someone accelerate their cybersecurity career at Cisco Meraki?
Working for the application security team at Meraki gives you industry-relevant experience in securing cloud-based software and offers many opportunities for growth through training and the core responsibilities a security engineer has. We tackle a gamut of problems in our day-to-day work, and we’re encouraged and supported in sharing our work at security conferences.
Inspira Financial offers technology-powered financial solutions for businesses and individuals that help people plan, save and invest.
Why did you join Inspira Financial’s cybersecurity team? What does a typical day look like for you?
I joined Inspira’s cybersecurity team to embrace new challenges and gain valuable experience in the financial technology sector. What drew me most was the chance to protect sensitive financial data and ensure the integrity of our systems — both of which are critical in today’s digital age.
As a manager on the audits and assessments team, my typical day is anything but routine. A significant portion of my time is dedicated to conducting thorough audits of our systems and processes to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. I also respond to due diligence questionnaires, which help maintain trust with our clients and partners by demonstrating our commitment to cybersecurity.
An equally important part of my role is mentoring and empowering my team. I organize training sessions, share best practices and foster a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and motivated to contribute. This emphasis on growth is key to ensuring we stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.
“This emphasis on growth is key to ensuring we stay ahead in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.”
What makes Inspira Financial’s approach to cybersecurity unique? What gets you most excited to get out of bed each day?
At Inspira Financial, we prioritize security without compromising the user experience. By integrating advanced security measures from the outset, we ensure that our products and services are both secure and user-friendly. This balance allows us to stay ahead of potential threats while providing our clients with a seamless experience.
What excites me most each day is the opportunity to learn and innovate. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to discover. I am particularly enthusiastic about exploring the wide range of tools we use and finding creative ways to improve our security posture. This continual improvement keeps me engaged and drives me to contribute to the safety and integrity of our operations.
How can someone accelerate their cybersecurity career at Inspira Financial?
Joining our cybersecurity team offers a wealth of opportunities for professional growth. Our team is growing and thriving, providing numerous chances to explore new focus areas within security. Whether you’re interested in threat analysis, compliance or innovative security solutions, you’ll find a path that suits your interests and skills.
The dynamic nature of our work means that there are frequent opportunities for career advancement, making it an ideal place to build a long-term career in cybersecurity. Inspira offers a distinctive, fast-paced environment where you’ll work with advanced technologies and can gain expertise with innovative tools.
We prioritize continuous learning through training and practical experience, helping team members stay at the forefront of the industry. Moreover, our collaborative culture encourages knowledge sharing and mentorship, allowing you to learn from experienced professionals and grow your network. This supportive atmosphere ensures that you have the resources and guidance needed to excel and achieve your career goals.
Headway is a healthtech company that offers a platform for customers to easily access mental health care with fewer financial barriers.
Why did you join Headway’s cybersecurity team? What does a typical day look like for you?
I’ve been interested in cybersecurity since college, and my interest was so strong that I decided to pursue a PhD. I joined Headway because I was excited about the mission of building a mental health care platform that everyone can access. Trust, primarily focusing on security and privacy to start with, is particularly important for both the therapist and the patient to feel comfortable on our platform. I was the first security hire and enjoy being that because I can build from zero to one and see how the organization has grown.
My day-to-day work varies a lot. Some days, I’m writing code. Some days, I’m working on organizational strategy. On some other days, I’m reviewing docs and providing security guidance. I really like the variety and being able to flex into different areas.
What makes Headway’s approach to cybersecurity unique? What gets you most excited to get out of bed each day?
We are much more focused on trust rather than just risk mitigation. This means we work closely with engineering and product counterparts across the company to ensure that we deliver a secure product. We also look to help fix issues rather than just surfacing risks.
I’m excited to get out of bed and work on securing a product with an important mission and work with a world-class team. There’s always something new to learn!
How can someone accelerate their cybersecurity career at Headway?
Trust is a growing team within Headway, offering experienced security engineers the opportunity to work with leadership in co-defining their areas of ownership and impact as we move out of early startup mode and into operating as a later-stage upstart. There’s a tremendous amount of room for continued growth given the diversity of problems to potentially solve, and the diversity of users we’re building for — patients, providers, therapists, insurance customers and employees.
“There’s a tremendous amount of room for continued growth given the diversity of problems to potentially solve.”
Engineers on the team have the opportunity to influence and build for multiple domains within security, advancing in both their breadth of security knowledge as well as depth of expertise in important functions within emerging industries like security and privacy. There’s no upper limit to learning opportunities as we flex into different areas and increase the scope of learning new things, all while being supported by a world-class team.
Hypori is a cybersecurity company that provides mobile device security and encryption services for businesses.
Why did you join Hypori’s cybersecurity team? What does a typical day look like for you?
Being a veteran and a cybersecurity professionally, I was looking for a company that blended the two together. It was an easy choice to join Hypori, as their vision and product roadmap directly impact a community I relate to, while also aligning with my personal and professional goals. Additionally, the senior and executive leadership came from backgrounds that resonate with my interests and upbringing. Hypori was, and still is, the best choice I’ve made in my professional career. It feels amazing to be supported and mentored by a company that shares a common vision of what true success looks like.
What makes Hypori’s approach to cybersecurity unique? What gets you most excited to get out of bed each day?
A typical day at Hypori is a false claim — we don’t have typical days. As our CEO states, “The only consistency we have is change.” Over the past year, we’ve done the hard work to achieve SOC 2 Type 2, FedRAMP High In Process, we’ve maintained our CMMC program and we’ve secured our DoD IL5 Provisional Authorization. These are all difficult achievements to earn, and I get to focus on our security and compliance posture across these standards, frameworks and regulations, which impact every department and employee within the organization.
I enjoy working cross-functionally with different teams to continuously improve our processes and maintain compliance, which drives the trust our customers deserve. I look forward to enhancing our tactics, techniques and procedures as our organization continues to evolve and ‘change’ to meet customer requirements.
How can someone accelerate their cybersecurity career at Hypori?
The security team at Hypori has a wide range of roles and responsibilities within our organization and product ecosystem. I specifically manage all governance, risk and compliance efforts, which drive deeper customer trust and adoption. I’m heavily supported by peers in areas such as threat hunting, IT service management, secure architectural improvements, risk management, identity management, secure software development and more. I’ve never seen an organization approach security like Hypori — dynamically managing the threat landscape to minimize and control risk.
“I’ve never seen an organization approach security like Hypori — dynamically managing the threat landscape to minimize and control risk.”
Hypori’s products are unique in their impact across sectors like defense, federal government, healthcare, finance, and state and local government. The opportunities at Hypori are unlimited as we continue to prove the value of maintaining data security and privacy for our users.
Our cybersecurity team conducts deep dives, prioritizes risk and recommends the best solutions. This not only challenges team members to think ‘out of the box,’ but also enables growth beyond the limitations found in larger organizations.
