Derek Harp is happy to have Ernest Wohnig joining him as his guest for today’s show! 

Ernest has performed a variety of different roles. Currently, he serves as the Senior Vice President of CISO Advisory in CIP and ICS services at System 1, a specialized cybersecurity consulting firm. In addition to that, he also serves on the Thomas Edison State University (TESU) Cybersecurity Program Advisory Board and chairs the global advisory board of the Control System Cyber Security Association International (CS2AI). Before that, he served as a Deputy CISO and Senior Global Cybersecurity Advisor for a Fortune 200 energy company, leading the coordination of cybersecurity activities across their global operations.

Ernest is recognized internationally as a cybersecurity executive. He is a sought-after strategic adviser to the senior leadership of global firms, national government agencies, and corporate and non-profit directors. His main areas of interest and experience include integrating cyber risk as a key component of business risk and opportunity, the effects of cyber risk on critical infrastructure from both operations and national infrastructure governance perspectives, and the threat and promise of Artificial Intelligence as an enabler in the cybersphere.

In the 1990s, Ernest served as an Air Force Intelligence officer and an Information Warfare advisor for the US Government. He also has significant experience, directing the development and delivery of cyber security consulting services for large and boutique global consulting firms. 

In this episode of the (CS)²AI Podcast, Ernest shares his superhero origin story. He discusses his early interest in the impact of technology on national security, his introduction to information warfare and cybersecurity while in the military, and the skills he needed when he joined the DIA after leaving the Air Force. He also talks about mentorship and offers suggestions for finding the right niche early in your career and developing additional non-technical career skills. 

Ernest is proof that you don’t have to have a degree in computer science or engineering to do cybersecurity. Tune in today to hear his fascinating story! You won’t want to miss this episode if you are entering the market after the military or thinking of transitioning into the cybersecurity space. 

Show highlights:

• As a talkative young lieutenant in the Air Force, Ernest often spoke to his colonel about the book, Third Wave by Alvin Toffler. That resulted in him becoming a liaison to the first Information Warfare Squadron. (2:39)
• Technology fascinated Ernest, but he focused more on how people use technology and how technology impacts national security. (4:30)
• You don’t need any specific formal education to get into the cybersecurity space. (5:16)
• Ernest got introduced to cybersecurity after joining the military. (7:27)
• We have forgotten some of the security problems that Ernest addressed in the late 1990s. They have resurfaced again, however, and caused some concern in the last four or five years. (11:20)
• Ernest spent a year-and-a-half with the DIA after leaving the military. He talks about the skill sets that he needed there. (14:10)
• Reaching the level in his career where he had to dial down the technical aspect and dial up the people aspect. (15:36)
• We have come a long way with cybersecurity. It has grown a lot, and many subdivisions have formed since the time it was known as information security. (19:48)
• Find the right niche early on in your career. (20:58) 
• Ernest talks about mentorship and discusses ways of developing additional skills. (24:47)
• Some practical advice for connecting with potential mentors in the industry sector you would like to join. (34:48)
• What you could gain from taking career-broadening tours. (44:52)
• Tips for increasing your amount of influence. (47:36)
• We will see some scary and exciting opportunities arise with cutting-edge AI technology in the future! (55:17)