As 2024 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the transformative changes this year has brought to the tech landscape—and what they mean for the security industry in the year ahead. Between traveling for work and diving into professional development, I’ve seen firsthand how technology is reshaping the way we live everyday. Here are some highlights and lessons from my journey this year.

Lessons from SANS 2024

This past summer, I attended a SANS training in Las Vegas. For those unfamiliar, the SANS Institute is a leader in IT and Security training. This year’s theme? AI. And yes, I know—groans and eye rolls. But stick with me.

I enrolled in a course on Security Architecture for Hybrid Environments, focusing on protecting today’s corporate landscape, where in-office and remote work coexist. We tackled critical challenges: securing network infrastructure, corporate devices, and virtual machines, to name a few. By the end of the six-day course, my brain had melted into a puddle—but the insights were invaluable.

The biggest takeaway? Security isn’t just about locking systems down; it’s about working with your business to enable its goals. How do you deploy MFA, hardware tokens, and internal access controls without disrupting executive workflows? That’s the balancing act we’re all learning to master.

For anyone looking to break into cybersecurity or IT without committing to a traditional degree, I highly recommend exploring SANS. It’s a fast-track way to gain industry-relevant skills and certifications.

Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC): A Different Perspective

In late summer, I attended the Grace Hopper Celebration in Philadelphia. GHC is the world’s largest gathering of women in technology and a hotspot for major companies scouting fresh talent. Think American Express and Amazon—the tech giants were out in full force.

The last time I attended, I was a doe-eyed 24-year-old, ready to take on the world. This time, at 32, my perspective had shifted. While it was exciting to see the growing presence of aspiring security engineers, I realized the event caters more to early-career professionals or those in executive roles.

That said, GHC reminded me of the power of networking and the importance of paying it forward. If you’re starting out in tech or looking to build connections, GHC is a phenomenal space to be a part of. Will I attend again? Perhaps—but next time, I’d like to walk in as a VP.

AI in 2025: The Good, the Bad, and the Paranoia

If you’ve followed my posts, you know I’ve talked about AI’s staying power. By March 2024, there were over 214 AI unicorns worldwide, and the pace isn’t slowing. In the Bay Area, AI dominates conversations, from billboard ads to brunch tables. Everyone’s racing to design the fastest TPU or the next breakthrough in generative AI.

For the security industry, this rapid acceleration is both exciting and unnerving. AI is seeping into education, medicine, and government. Its accessibility means that even your next-door neighbor could become the next “script kiddie.” As security professionals, we have to stay ahead—using AI to defend against AI.

The higher the rise, the harder the fall. It’s only a matter of time before we see the consequences of this AI gold rush. And yes, my tinfoil hat is showing, but vigilance is part of the job description in this field.

Looking Ahead

2024 has been a year of learning, rediscovery, and accepting some hard truths about my journey in IT and security. As we head into 2025, I’m inspired by the curious, hungry, and brilliant minds driving innovation in our field.

What are your thoughts on the challenges and opportunities ahead? Whether it’s AI, cybersecurity, or career growth, I’d love to hear your insights. Let’s connect and chat—because the future of tech is brighter when we navigate it together.