Cybersecurity

Matt Wedemeyer is a cybersecurity analyst at FTI. He began his career with the organization as an intern and shares some insights into his experiences.

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks and programs from digital attacks. At FTI, our cybersecurity team works to protect our network from outside threats that may aim to steal or compromise information or data or to harm our organizational brand or image.

What motivated you to pursue a career in cybersecurity?

I previously worked as a small business owner and within the real estate industry. I’ve always been an avid podcast listener and totally by chance, I came across an episode of Darknet Diaries, which shares true stories about cybercrime. I found it extremely interesting, so I listened to additional podcasts and began to research cybersecurity as a hobby.

I then learned about the Cybersecurity and Network Systems Administration programs at Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC). After talking with others about the program and the field overall, I enrolled at FVTC. While in school, I accepted a position as cybersecurity intern at FTI. In December 2024, I completed my degrees in IT and IT Network Security, and am happy to be staying at FTI, now as a cybersecurity analyst.

What challenges in cybersecurity did you not expect when you started, and what surprised you the most?

While at school, we learned a lot about cyberattack concepts overall, but I was surprised with the sheer volume of possible attack vectors that adversaries can use. Even smaller organizations and individuals should be vigilant about protecting themselves from online attacks. With the growth and sophistication of artificial intelligence (AI), phishing scams, where cyber criminals use deceptive tactics to trick people into believing they are a legitimate business or contact, are getting more advanced. Scammers can train software to imitate a person’s speech and can place a phone call and make it sound like someone you know.

What do you consider the biggest challenges facing the cybersecurity field today?

I think one of the biggest challenges is overall awareness of cybersecurity. Computers and smart phones are part of our daily lives. As we get more comfortable conducting business and being social online, it’s easy to become complacent. Taking advantage of security awareness resources that are available, such as CISA’s Secure Yourself & Your Family, can help you be knowledgeable about potential cyber threats.

What did you spend most of your time working on as an intern?

FTI empowers interns to learn and explore their areas of interest all under the mentorship of experienced team members. I had a wide array of things to work on, from understanding our cybersecurity systems and tools, to project work, to learning about customer and government compliances. I spent time each day investigating cyber alerts, working with the team implementing measures to counter them.

How do you see cybersecurity evolving over the next five years?

Over the next five years, we will likely see cyber criminals leveraging AI even further to make attacks more specific and believable. There could be upticks in social engineering attacks, similar to phishing, where a cyber criminal attempts to get you to believe something that’s not true in order to get information from you. Exploiting human nature can be easier than exploiting technical vulnerabilities, so it again comes back to people needing to be vigilant.

What advice do you have for those interested in a cybersecurity career?

For those who are interested in IT security, begin by checking out podcasts or newsletters in your areas of interest to be continually learning. To pursue a cybersecurity career, talk with others in the field and consider educational courses and/or degrees. I highly recommend doing an internship to be exposed to real-world cybersecurity challenges and responses. My internship at FTI really helped me level up and prepared me for the role I’m in now.