I had the incredible opportunity to interview Amit Paul, a seasoned cybersecurity expert holding certifications like CISSP, CISM, and CC. He is an Information Security Generalist, an Identity and Access Management (IAM) Strategist, and a strong team leader with 13 years of experience protecting organizations from cyber threats.
In this blog, I’ll share insights from his journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his valuable advice for anyone looking to build a career in cybersecurity. By reading this, you’ll gain a better understanding of the challenges of working in the field, and how passion, persistence, and continuous learning play a crucial role in succeeding as a cybersecurity professional.
The Expert’s Journery
Amit Paul graduated in 2012 and began his career as a Java specialist at Cognizant, one of the leading IT companies. While working there, he received a project related to Identity and Access Management (IAM), which marked a major turning point in his career. Intrigued by how IAM functions and its importance in protecting user identities, Paul decided to dive deeper into the field of cybersecurity.
This opportunity opened the door for him to learn new skills, and he started studying for the CISSP certification to strengthen his knowledge. From that moment on, cybersecurity became his passion. Over the last 13 years, Paul has worked with various organizations and government bodies, helping them audit systems, manage access rights, and protect sensitive information.
Lessons Learned
During our conversation, Paul openly shared some of the challenges he faced and how they shaped his growth. One of the most important lessons I learned from him is that failure is not the end—it’s an opportunity to come back stronger. When he first attempted the CISSP exam, he didn’t pass. Instead of giving up, he used that experience as motivation to prepare better and return with renewed focus.
Another challenge he faced early in his career was communication.
He explained that when he first started, he struggled to answer questions from a business perspective and lacked the ability to express technical ideas clearly.
Over time, he worked on these skills and developed the ability to communicate smoothly and effectively with both technical teams and business stakeholders.
This taught me that learning to express ideas clearly is a skill I must develop.
Paul also highlighted that one of the biggest challenges in IT is budgeting:
Cybersecurity efforts are often seen as a cost rather than an investment. Convincing the business to allocate funds for security initiatives requires persistence, strong communication, and a clear understanding of the long-term benefits.
I learned that it’s important to explain the long-term benefits and work hard to convince others about the value of investing in security.
Teamwork is another area where he believes a leader’s approach:
Teamwork is another area where he believes a leader’s approach makes all the difference. He explained that every team member is unique—some need little guidance while others need more support.
As a leader, being humble and approachable creates a positive environment where team members can collaborate effectively.
He also reminded me that being a good leader doesn’t mean being everyone’s friend, but it means building trust and working together towards shared goals, I learned that being humble and approachable helps build trust and cooperation within a team.
These lessons not only reflect Paul’s experience but also showed me that continuous learning, empathy, and communication are key to growing in cybersecurity and beyond.
Advice For The Future
He told me that the cybersecurity industry is changing rapidly, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with new trends and technologies. As students, it might not be possible to jump into the industry right away, but there are many ways to start preparing early.
He suggested attending:
- Security conferences
- Connecting with professionals
- Learning from blogs
- YouTube videos
By doing this regularly, students can build their knowledge even before starting a career. He emphasized that cybersecurity is a field where things constantly evolve, and to stay relevant, we must make learning a daily habit. Having inner motivation and a mindset to learn every day will help us grow over time.
Paul also mentioned that as we learn, we can work toward earning industry certifications based on the areas that interest us, like cloud security or AI security.
Paul also advised that students should not think, “I’ll just do my best during the training period after getting the job or before placement.” He said that from the very first day, you should give your best effort. That’s what people in the industry appreciate and expect. Showing commitment and giving your full potential right from the start will help you build trust and create a strong impression.
AI buzzword Today:
He warned that AI, though a buzzword today, is already impacting jobs—especially for those who don’t keep up with new developments.
Staying informed and continuously improving our skills will help us stay safe and valuable in the industry.
Conclusion
One of the most important pieces of advice he shared was about soft skills. Technical knowledge alone is not enough; communication and collaboration are just as important. Focusing on improving these skills will help us work better with others and build trust in professional environments.
Paul also explained that you don’t need 100% knowledge of areas like cloud security or AI security to start your career. Even if you understand the basics, it’s enough to take the first step. These fields are growing fast, and learning about them early will help you move forward as the industry evolves.
Overall, Amit Paul’s guidance showed me that success in cybersecurity comes from staying curious, learning continuously, and developing both technical and interpersonal skills. By doing so, we can confidently step into the industry and prepare ourselves for the challenges ahead.
