Edward Valasek

Background

About Edward Valasek

Currently overseeing IT Security, my life and career choices have all converged into who and what I am today. My journey in technology started at a very young age as I found a great fascination with "how" and "why" things work. Unfortunately, I may have sacrificed a few things around the house and although my parents were not exactly thrilled at times about a few screws missing, they supported me in my quest to learn more. I was an only child so I entertained myself by taking things apart and "fixing" them. I started my technology learning path in IT with a TRS-80, and in order to actually use this PC, you had to write code (BASIC). I read a book on programming (no Internet then) and away I went. In my teenage years, I began discovering the Internet as it was becoming a more common "utility" in homes. I began studying about networking and this whole new Internet experience and how this all worked. I was hooked. When I went to college, I was really torn on my future. As many, we struggle with making such a big decision you think are for the rest of your life, not realizing things can and will change. Part of growing up, right? So, during college, I decided to study Public Safety and work towards helping people by being a police officer. My other passion was still technology so I worked in different IT related positions in tech support through college. What an education! Shortly after college, I began my journey as a public safety officer and the best part was I was also assigned technology duties since tech and public safety were finally coming together as an invaluable tool. Another exciting moment for me. Both of my two worlds were coming together. I have worked my way from the ground up in my career and invested the time to really learn and master my skills. I am the type of person who has a drive to take in as much information to make educated decisions based on knowledge and experience, not because it seems to be the latest thing to do. From phone support technician to IT executive, I have a vast amount of real world experience refined further by also investing into my formal education around business and more recently around cybersecurity as well by obtaining my CISSP. I have built teams from the ground up and introduced innovative new ideas to those who I have worked with. I look forward to the future and how things will continue to evolve!