Hey there, friend! Let’s chat a little about my journey and everyday life as a Cyber Threat Analyst out here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I work for this incredible organization that you may have heard of— the CIA.
So, how did I end up here, you might wonder? Back in 2014, as a newly graduated International Relations major with a minor in Middle East Studies, I was looking for ways to channel my passion for Arab studies. Back then, my work involved publishing daily news articles and providing analysis of ongoing events during the Arab Spring for an online Middle East journal. I also used to be a research assistant at a European U.S. Embassy.
Growing up, I lived in various countries, including Yemen, Mauritania, Lebanon, Morocco and Germany! I remember the time I spent at an international school vividly; it was interesting to interact with students from all over the world. Oak trees, foggy mornings, Golden Gate Bridge… all this made me miss the San Francisco Bay Area but also made me realize that I wanted to help US policymakers navigate our country’s complex international relations web, specifically in regions I had lived in.
So, what does a typical day look like for a Cyber Threat Analyst? As you can imagine, the world of cybersecurity is fast-paced and dynamic. Each day comes with its own set of new developments and possible red flags in global cybersecurity that may affect US information systems. So, I constantly stay updated by pouring over online cybersecurity articles, as well as classified intelligence reports from different parts of the world. The highlight of my day is when I piece together these disparate reports to spot a new trend and share my analysis. This information then provides our policymakers with a clear picture of the potential cyber threats to our national security.
Honestly, what I find the most rewarding about my work is the mission itself. It feels so fulfilling when our policymakers can act effectively based on the intelligence that I provide. There’ve been instances when my warning about potential system vulnerabilities became true. That’s why I believe that early warnings are the most valuable achievements of my job, even though they might not always pan out.
In contrast, the biggest challenge I face is increasing diversity and inclusion in our agency. Encouraging and maintaining a diverse workforce is vital because varied backgrounds and experiences help provide unbiased and impartial analysis crucial for our mission. Since I come from an Arab-American background, I see the value in this more than ever. However, the CIA has been focusing on promoting diversity and inclusion across the board and I have been fortunate enough to be part of this journey by hosting collaborative discussions and information sessions at the agency.
One unexpected thing about my job? The flexibility and work-life balance the CIA promotes. I started out single and am now married, expecting our first child. Throughout these transformations, work-life balance has remained a constant, making a mammoth difference in my career progression and personal life!
Lastly, if you’re interested in the field, it’s an exciting time to join us. Cyber mission is one of our top priorities, as sanctioned by national security advisors and the President. For us, blend of technical experts with varied backgrounds like science and technology work hand in hand with experts in regional analysis to provide quality intelligence to our policymakers. So, there’s a place for anyone who’s interested in making an impact. Bay area’s tech expertise + intelligence work = one heck of a career!
by Morgan Phisher | HEAL Security
