Nick Vissari - Engineering Dropout to Math Tutor to Security Architect/Engineer

Getting Into Infosec

Nick Vissari went from being an engineering dropout (he didn't like creative writing) to a tech consultant to a math tutor. His penchant for fixing things homed him back into tech, where he is now responsible for security in a large school district. He recently went back to school and received his cybersecurity degree as well.

Notes

• At 10-years-old, his Dad had problems putting the computer together, so he helped his dad
• Family never stifled any inquisitiveness he had
• Started as a math tutor at the school system
• How he initially had the wrong attitude in security

Quotes:

• "Once you get into a position somewhere, do whatever you can to make yourself invaluable. Find the things people don't want to do and do them. The hard problems are the ones most rewarding."
• "If you're not automating right now, it's probably because you have more resources than you know what to do with."
• "There are a lot of people that are security professionals, but they really don’t know about how a system works."
• "Just got to have that passion for wanting to learn and you can definitely jump into security."
• "My grandmother always said: 'Those who don't make mistakes, don't do much.' So get out there a make a bunch of mistakes."
• "Don't be that guy that says 'No' to everything."

Links

• Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickadam
• sslstrip by Moxie: https://github.com/moxie0/sslstrip
• Firesheep plugin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firesheep

Getting Into Infosec

• Checkout My Book: Breaking IN: A Practical Guide to Starting a Career in Information Security: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N15GTPC/
• T-Shirts, Mugs, and more: https://gettingintoinfosec.com/shop/
• Sign up for sneak peeks, updates, and commentary: https://pages.gettingintoinfosec.com/subscribe

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