Wednesday

This block from the Hire Ground stage opens with a session aimed at people starting out in security. The presenters argue that a first job is a stepping stone, that demonstrable skills and written-up lab work count for more than certifications alone, and that soft skills and networking carry real weight. They recommend inexpensive home labs built from retired hardware, keeping detailed notes that include failed attempts, and framing technical work in terms of business impact.

The next session covers security operations center careers, from tier-one analyst through senior and lead roles. The speakers discuss which certifications to pursue, favoring ones that match the tools a current employer uses, and keeping a running record of achievements to support performance reviews. They also describe how AI is changing triage work and why analysts still need to check its output. Later talks cover a move into security from medicine and military service, with advice on tailoring resumes to postings and joining local community groups, and a path from software testing into technical audit at a large company.

The throughline across the block is that newcomers should begin where they are, ask specific questions, practice explaining their work to non-technical people, and pace themselves to avoid burnout. The closing question-and-answer segment covered resume framing, approaching professionals for mentorship, and handling imposter feelings in interviews.