E10 - Jerry Stalick at J Stalick Consultancy Services

On today’s episode of the Security Vendor spin-off, we were joined by our host and Network Consultant, Harry Bailey and our special guest, Jerry Stalick, Business Owner of J Stalick Consultancy Services. During the episode, they discuss the best route to take into the Security industry and weigh up the value behind a degree and a certification. They also delve into Jerry’s business and what it’s been like for him to start up a brand-new company.

Jerry’s experience in the technology industry spans over 25 years, during which he has held a variety of roles in tech and telecoms, mostly in leadership positions. However, it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that Jerry discovered his true strengths lay in leadership.

As an engineer, Jerry found that he had to work twice as hard to go half as fast as the people around him. It was then that he realized that his skills and talents lay in leadership and management, rather than technical engineering. From that point on, he shifted his focus to leadership roles within the industry, and his career took off.

For the past 15 years, Jerry worked at F5, where he held various leadership positions. Unfortunately, towards the end of last year, he was caught up in a layoff, which led him to re-evaluate his career options.

Given his age and extensive experience, Jerry decided that starting his own business would be an excellent option. He founded J Stalick Consultancy Services, a company that provides consultancy and advisory services to companies in the technology and telecom industries.

What’s the best route into Security?

10 years ago, people with cybersecurity degrees were not always well-prepared for the real world, as the education they received was often theoretical and not always practical. However, he notes that over the past decade, universities and colleges have stepped up their game and have made cybersecurity degrees much more practical and relevant to what is happening in the industry today.

Jerry added that while a degree can be valuable, there are also many people who come into the security industry after ten years of working in networking with a degree in something else. For these individuals, certifications can be a great option.

An average day…

Starting his own business has changed the dynamics of Jerry’s day-to-day life. He now spends a lot of time reaching out to his own network, informing people about the value he can bring to the table, and how he can help companies in the technology and telecoms industries.

Jerry is now both the sales guy and the delivery guy, and he enjoys the challenge of combining these roles.

One of the biggest differences in Jerry’s daily routine since starting his own business is the fact that he’s no longer on call. In all the various roles he has held in the past, he has always been on call, ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice. However, for the first time in over 24 years, he’s been able to switch off his phone at night and enjoy uninterrupted rest.

Jerry has some valuable advice for those who want to get into the security industry. He believes that the most important thing is to stay curious and keep learning. The cybersecurity field is constantly evolving, and there is always something new to learn.

Jerry emphasizes the importance of understanding the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Without a solid foundation, you will naturally limit yourself and won’t be able to fully comprehend the complexities of the industry.

Tune in on the 02/03/2023 to hear the full episode!