Having worked for more than two decades in Information Technology, Abraham Okomanyi recognizes the significance of his profession in the digital age. His years of experience in the IT field led to a five-year opportunity overseas. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for Information Technology suddenly merged with Information Security. The knowledge and skills he acquired abroad drove Okomanyi to consider the Information Systems Security Professional (ISSP) Certificate at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education. His goal: to obtain one of the most highly regarded information security certifications available, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®).
“I was the CISO [Chief Information Security Officer] at my last job and, as such, I underst[ood] the value of having the CISSP letters next to my name in terms of credibility and potential for career growth,” Okomanyi said.
He noted that the evolution of global ecommerce brought about many challenges and opportunities to the profession. “We are in a digital economy,” Okomanyi said. “With this growth come the challenges of cybercrime and the need for skilled professionals to ensure the critical assets of organizations are secured against attacks. [We] hear of data breaches almost on a daily basis, undermining the confidentiality of sensitive [information] with the attendant reputational damages and regulatory liabilities on the affected organization.”
His observation directly correlates with data from a recent study on the field. Juniper Research, one of the leading analyst firms in the mobile and digital technology sector, found that the average cost of a data breach will exceed $150 million by 2020. By 2019, cybercrime will cost businesses over $2 trillion. This figure, the study showed, is a four-fold increase from its report in 2015.
“Information security is a growing field with exponential growth,” said Rebecca Mattox, ISSP program manager. “Vulnerabilities exist, and trained professionals are part of the solution to a critical problem in this industry.”
Okomanyi said the certificate program at KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education created a collaborative learning environment where open-ended discussions led to thoughtful insight into the concepts of information security and their applications in real life.
“There [were] ample opportunities for the students to learn from each other as well as from the vast experience of the instructor,” Okomanyi said. “The real-life examples that were relayed to us by the instructor to further hone in the learning objectives of each domain…continue to resonate with me.”
With the notes from class lectures, help from the instructor and multiple practice tests, Okomanyi was able to pass the CISSP exam on the first try. “This is to further my success in information systems security,” he said. “It was like a heavy load was lifted off my shoulder with an associated sense of relief. I was excited and grateful.”
Having used his transition period as an opportunity to enhance his career, Okomanyi’s next plan is to “find the right information security role in the right company” where he can continue to grow his career and deepen his knowledge.
For more information on this program or other technology-related offerings, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu, call 470-578-6765 or email ccpe@kennesaw.edu.
