Overview of My Career:
Even though I trained as an attorney, I’ve always had a passion for education. As technology became ingrained in everyday life, I realized that online learning would become instrumental in breaking barriers, overcoming limitations, and bringing high-quality education to anyone who wants it, irrespective of where they’re located. With that in mind, I joined the Board of Directors at EC-Council, one of the world’s top cybersecurity certification bodies, where I accumulated 15 years of experience. In 2017, I was elected to be the President of EC-Council University, and it’s been quite the journey ever since.
Being the President of EC-Council University is incredibly rewarding, but it also presents a unique set of challenges that I’m dedicated to solving every day. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by capable colleagues who are just as committed to the cause as I am. From the onset of my involvement in this position, the objectives were clear – to make the university the global standard-bearer for cybersecurity education and earn the reputation of the finest cybersecurity education provider in the world.
About EC-Council University
EC-Council University is a U.S.-based online institution of higher education with a core focus on cybersecurity. Our university is accredited and recognized by the DEAC (Distance Education Accreditation Commission), the ACE (American Council on Education), the CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation), and more. We offer a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees, in an immersive and flexible online format designed to enhance both the overall learning experience and ultimate career benefits.
The pressing need to bridge the gap between the demand for skilled professionals and the global cybersecurity talent shortage is what led to the establishment of EC-Council University. Right from inception, we aimed to equip our students with in-depth knowledge and real-world technical skills that will empower them to make significant contributions to the cybersecurity landscape.
Why Cybersecurity?
The study of cybersecurity is underserved, evidenced by the widening talent gap plaguing the industry. There are millions of cybersecurity job vacancies (over 4 million as it stands), resulting in fierce competition among organizations to attract and retain professionals for roles that are critical to safeguarding their online presence and digital assets. EC-Council University is on a mission to improve this bleak outlook by inspiring and nurturing the next generation of supremely talented cybersecurity leaders.
The Challenges We Face
No business is immune to challenges, and they’re an inherent part of the functioning of any educational institution. We embrace challenges as opportunities to make a deeper impact in the lives of our students. The most noteworthy challenges we confront are keeping pace with rapidly evolving technological developments and learning ways to combat new and emerging cybersecurity threats.
To tackle these challenges effectively, we continually update our programs’ curricula and learning materials to align with modern-day cybersecurity requirements and provide hands-on practice with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for real-world cybersecurity scenarios. We also employ faculty members who are industry experts and leading voices in the cybersecurity domain. This enables students to receive instructions that are up-to-date, insightful, and concurrent with the latest cybersecurity trends.
Our Accomplishments
As far as EC-Council University is concerned, my proudest accomplishment is leading the university from strength to strength over four consecutive years, almost doubling its growth in the process. This gives me a sense of conviction that we’re on the right trajectory. I’m also proud that our online learning environment has delivered top-tier cybersecurity education to learners worldwide who never imagined they could be part of a renowned institution from the United States of America. We realized the profound impact we are making when we get glowing feedback from our students, many of whom are first-time graduates in their families. The education they received at EC-Council University has positively impacted their lives, the lives of their loved ones, and their communities.
Our sense of purpose and mission was further solidified when Fortune Magazine recognized our Master of Science in Cyber Security program as one of the world’s top 10 online cybersecurity degrees.
My Brand of Leadership
My aim is to implement a flat organizational structure where I remain accessible and approachable to everyone. This strategy helps in building trust and preventing miscommunication and hearsay. I prioritize data-driven decision-making and encourage colleagues and employees to be open to change. Given the dynamic nature of cybersecurity, it is imperative that we stay agile, continuously update our knowledge and skills, and swiftly adapt to technological advancements.
I am deeply committed to how EC-Council University is perceived as a brand, taking extensive measures to ensure that we adhere to all regulatory, compliance, legal, and branding guidelines. Integrity, respect, accountability, critical thinking, and a spirit of innovation are values I hold in high regard. I believe these principles are essential for the success of any business.
Working Toward a Bright Future
In the next five years, I envision EC-Council University becoming an even greater force in the battle to protect the digital realm. We will expand our program offerings to cover evolving industry demands, cementing our claim as the global leader in developing highly proficient and ethical cybersecurity talent. Central to these efforts will be growing our portfolio of academic partnerships, penetrating new and unexplored markets, incorporating state-of-the-art curricula into our programs, and updating our virtual lab practice environments.
We’re not just preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. We’re actively shaping the future of cybersecurity.
