In the SecureWorld Spotlight Series, we learn about the speakers and Advisory Council members that make our events a success. In Q&A format, they share about their professional journeys, unique experiences, and hopes for the future of cybersecurity—along with some personal anecdotes.
Jimmy Benoit is Vice President, Cybersecurity and Program Management, at PBS. He holds more than a dozen industry certifications and has volunteered with numerous organizations over the years including Tech Impact, 2U, Veterati, CIS, and more. He recently completed his MBA program after two years of full-time night classes at George Mason University.
Jimmy served in the U.S. Army and got to do all sorts of crazy things including driving tanks, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, studying Arabic and Islam in Africa, competing in a German armed forces competition (and earning a gold medal), firing fully automatic grenade launchers, and more! Since leaving the Army, things are much less exciting. Jimmy now enjoys playing piano, walking, and spending time with family.
Get to know Jimmy Benoit
Q: Why did you decide to pursue cybersecurity as a career path?
A: I toured the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) when I saw it in high school and looked at all the programs. There was a new program called "Informatics" that caught my eye, and they had a cybersecurity component to it. I had watched the 1995 movie "Hackers" and thought it'd be fun, so I declared that as my major and the rest is history!
Q: When and why did you join your current organization (employer)?
A: I joined PBS in May of 2022. I feel fortunate every day to be part of such an amazing organization. PBS was a huge part of my childhood, like so many others before me. As a veteran, I really latch on to the mission of any organization I serve, and I think PBS has one of the most honest and positively impactful missions around.
Q: How would you describe your feelings about cybersecurity in one sentence?
A: Working in cybersecurity is a challenging and fulfilling profession which is, at its core, about service to others and making the world a safer place.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment thus far working in cybersecurity?
A: In 2023, I was fortunate to be able to attend the FBI's CISO Academy in Quantico, VA. This was an amazing weeklong opportunity where I got to spend time with amazing leaders and peers from across America as well as top caliber agents from the Bureau. This was one of the most memorable and valuable learning experiences I've participated in in recent years.
Q: If you had to choose, what's the one cybersecurity practice people can adopt that would have the greatest impact?
A: Please use multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere possible. Authenticator apps or physical tokens are best, but text-based (SMS) MFA/2FA is better than nothing.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the cybersecurity profession?
A: There are countless certifications, boot camps, degrees, courses, etc. to prepare aspiring cybersecurity professionals to enter the workforce. However, I feel there's inadequate training for those same folks later in their careers to learn how to be bilingual in cybersecurity and business. Bridging this divide is where positive transformational change can occur.
Q: What are the biggest opportunities facing the profession?
A: The rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to disrupt many industries, and cybersecurity professionals are in an amazing position to ride the wave and become early adopters and experts in a new era of technology.
Q: When you tell people what you do for a living, what do you say?
A: First and foremost, I share that I work for PBS and help serve by providing high-quality content. Second, I share that I lead various IT teams to that end. If my functional expertise comes up, then I explain that I help organizations manage risk for a living; detecting and mitigating cybersecurity risks to help organizations achieve their mission.
Q: What advice do you have for someone considering cybersecurity as a career and/or someone new to the field who is looking to move up the career ladder?
A: Do it. If you want to advance into leadership roles, consider becoming a cybersecurity generalist. Know many things well versus knowing one or two things perfectly. This will likely afford you more opportunities in the future.
Q: Lastly, what are you most looking forward to at your regional SecureWorld 2024 conference?
A: I always look forward to meeting new people, listening and learning from them, and contributing my own knowledge and experiences where I can help. Sometimes it's easy to feel like I'm alone in the fight, and conferences like SecureWorld always help remind me that I'm not alone—nobody is truly alone in this fight.
To connect with Jimmy Benoit and other cybersecurity leaders from the New England region, attend the 20th annual SecureWorld Boston conference on March 13-14, 2024. Jimmy will be presenting on a panel discussion, "Promoting Security Awareness and Combatting Vulnerabilities in 2024."
Continue to follow our Spotlight Series for more interviews of industry experts.
