Staying Current Amid Constant Change

Vernon Pearson (MSIT ‘20) was looking for ways to prepare for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam earlier this year, and he knew he didn't want to take an online course.  

He wanted an option that connected him with other professionals while instilling the knowledge necessary to pass the exam, an independent certification granted by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium.   

For that, he turned to Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program. Pearson audited a MSIT course this spring — an option available to all MSIT alumni — and credits the experience with helping him pass the CISSP exam. 

Pearson knew MSIT would give him what he was looking for because he'd already experienced the program. In fact, the class he audited was one he took during his previous tenure in the program. 

“The information technology career path is ever-changing. New technologies are introduced with increasing frequency and increasing impact to both business and society,” said Pearson, who is a digital project manager at construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar. “In auditing courses, alumni are able to remain competitive and exposed to the latest research and frameworks.”   

Pearson took Information Security and Assurance. During the class, he was able to role play as a senior management leader and review security initiative proposals. Those interactions gave him updated critical-thinking skills that he said were key in helping him pass the exam.   

The exam is a test of both technical and management skills.  

“I selected auditing the class because it provided a way to prepare and get motivated and focused,” he said. “The physical, immersive experience of in-person instruction encourages greater participation from students, which increases the likelihood of seeing the material through another's viewpoint. That increases the opportunity for mastery.” 

The certification is a demonstration that Pearson has remained current as the pace of technological innovation increases and causes heightened security risks.  

“Increasing technical automation increases the impact of security-related vulnerabilities. The tradeoff of convenience and ease is security,” he said. “Whereas before it would take hundreds of trucks and thousands of binders to collect a company's trade secrets, today it can be moved with a one-inch jump drive. Simple oversights and poor configuration management can have significant material impact, which is only likely to rise.”  

Armed with his new certification that signals a mastery of vital security concepts and abilities, Pearson continues applying the lessons learned in MSIT to his work at Caterpillar.  

Those lessons come into play daily as he works to manage risk and identify technical roadblocks that need to be removed to move the business forward.   

“With these concepts, I am able to actively participate in cybersecurity working groups and provide expert recommendations that manage both risk and cost,” he said. “It also strengthens my ability to align technical details to business objectives in order to receive and maintain management support.”  

As Pearson continues to advance his career, he would not be surprised if he finds himself returning to MSIT in the future. 

“It was the first class I audited,” he said. “Because of the way the industry changes, I don't expect it to be my last.”