Raices Cyber Org

Cybersecurity careers rarely follow a straight line. Armando PERALTA’s journey has taken him from West Point and Army aviation to Special Operations, Cisco, cybersecurity consulting, and now global cybersecurity service delivery at SUEZ.

🎙️ In our latest CyberTalk, Armando shares what has helped him navigate each transition and continue growing: strong networking fundamentals, hands-on practice, continuous learning, genuine professional relationships, and the ability to communicate across teams and cultures.

▶️ Episode 10 is now available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/iEsZwDsjsXs

And the conversation continues. We’ll be sitting down with Armando again for a CyberTalk Live Q&A, where you’ll have the opportunity to bring your questions directly to him.

📅 Live Q&A details coming soon. Stay tuned!

Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month! Celebrate all month long with free activities and resources for kids and teens from over a dozen organizations committed to a safer digital world. Visit getcybersmart.org and .

Cybersecurity includes many career paths, each requiring different strengths, interests, and ways of solving problems. Understanding these options can help students and early-career professionals make more intentional decisions about what to learn, which certifications to pursue, and where to seek practical experience.

🛡️ Defensive Security
Professionals monitor systems, investigate alerts, identify suspicious activity, and strengthen an organization’s defenses. Common roles include SOC Analyst, Security Analyst, and Threat Hunter.

🔎 Offensive Security
This pathway focuses on testing systems, identifying vulnerabilities, and simulating attacks to help organizations address weaknesses. Roles include Pe*******on Tester, Ethical Hacker, and Red Team Operator.

📋 GRC & IAM
Governance, Risk, and Compliance professionals help organizations manage policies, regulatory requirements, and security risks. Identity and Access Management specialists ensure that users receive appropriate access to systems and information.

🧬 Digital Forensics & Incident Response
These professionals investigate security incidents, preserve digital evidence, determine what happened, and support containment and recovery efforts.

🎓 Cybersecurity Education
Educators, curriculum developers, coaches, and technical mentors create training, labs, CTF exercises, and learning experiences that prepare others for the industry.

🤝 Cyber Program Leadership
Program leaders coordinate workforce initiatives, partnerships, events, community programs, and resources that connect people with cybersecurity education and career opportunities.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, increasing awareness of these pathways helps Hispanic and Latino learners see the range of ways they can contribute to the industry. Which pathway best matches your interests?

We would also love to hear about your cybersecurity journey. Share a 30–60-second video in English or Spanish:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhyTd9TyG80p7pIMtIhSsTYTwt-HBtjgUHzC1WbjwSt1lbOQ/viewform

What can a former FBI profiler teach us about cyber defense? 🧠💻

Our latest CyberTalk conversation with Tim Pappa is now available on YouTube!!

Tim, Staff Incident Response Engineer in Cyber Deception Operations at Walmart Global Tech and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Behavioral Analysis Unit profiler, joins Uljana 🐝 Sejko to explore how behavioral analysis translates into cybersecurity.

From understanding attacker behavior to building deception strategies that create uncertainty for adversaries, Tim shares how his experience in behavioral analysis continues to shape the way he approaches cyber defense. The conversation also dives into nontraditional cybersecurity career paths, cybercrime research, and the growing role of deception as threats evolve.

🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/mV_2yVDK0rQ

🌎 Hispanic and Latino cybersecurity talent is connected across cities, countries, and communities.

Through chapters, educational programs, industry events, and virtual engagement, Raíces Cyber has built relationships that connect emerging professionals with technical learning, mentorship, and opportunities to participate in the cybersecurity ecosystem.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re recognizing the people behind these locations: students developing practical skills, mentors sharing their experience, volunteers strengthening local programs, and professionals creating new pathways for others.

We also want to hear how the Raíces Cyber community has contributed to your journey. Record a 30–60-second vertical video in English or Spanish and share your experience with us:

🎥 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhyTd9TyG80p7pIMtIhSsTYTwt-HBtjgUHzC1WbjwSt1lbOQ/viewform

Every connection expands what our community can build together.

Many of the opportunities available to a cybersecurity community begin with the right organizations coming together around a shared purpose. Partnerships help bring new resources, expertise, experiences, and connections within reach. 🤝💜

Through her work in Partnerships at Raíces Cyber, Lisa Saurs helps cultivate relationships that strengthen our programs and extend the opportunities we can bring to the professionals, students, and communities we serve.

We’re excited to celebrate Lisa today and recognize the relationships and collaboration she helps foster across our ecosystem. Happy Birthday, Lisa! 🎂🎉 Wishing you a wonderful year filled with great people, rewarding collaborations, and continued success.

From developing programs to representing Raíces Cyber in the community, Loritza Grillasca () helps ensure that the work happening across our organization reaches the people it was created to serve. 💜

As Senior Director for Programs and Communications, Lori brings together program ex*****on, community engagement, and storytelling, helping us translate cybersecurity education and experiences into opportunities our community can participate in, learn from, and share. 🛡️🌎

Today, we’re celebrating Lori and the energy, perspective, and dedication she brings to Raíces Cyber. Happy Birthday, Lori! 🎂✨ Wishing you another year of meaningful projects, new experiences, and plenty of moments worth celebrating.

Hands-on cybersecurity training becomes more valuable when learners can take what they’ve practiced and apply it in environments that challenge how they investigate, make decisions, and respond.

We’re excited to welcome Durga Sai Sri Ramireddy to her role at Raíces Cyber as Cybersecurity Curriculum & CTF Developer and Head Coach – West Region for the Cyber Athlete Program! 💜

With an MS in Cybersecurity from the University of Houston and experience in security operations, detection engineering, AI-assisted SOC triage, and SOAR, Durga brings that technical perspective into the curriculum and CTF experiences she develops for emerging cybersecurity professionals. As Head Coach, she will also mentor cyber athletes and serve as a liaison between our coursework and competitive programming, helping participants carry their learning from training into practical challenges.

We’re excited to have Durga helping us strengthen the connection between cybersecurity education, technical practice, and competitive development. Welcome to the team! 🌳💻

Preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals requires learning experiences that reflect what students will encounter beyond the classroom. That connection between education, technical skills, and industry needs is central to Jenipher Gonzalez’s work. 💜

As our Puerto Rico Regional Program Director, Jenipher brings her experience in Information Systems, cybersecurity, data analytics, and academic program development to Raíces Cyber, helping expand access to relevant cybersecurity education and strengthen opportunities for emerging talent in Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷🛡️

Today, we celebrate the knowledge, leadership, and commitment she brings to our community. Happy Birthday, Jenipher! 🎂🎉 We hope this new year brings exciting projects, meaningful accomplishments, and many more opportunities to make an impact.

Cybersecurity careers often take shape through specific moments: completing a first technical lab, receiving guidance from a mentor, joining a supportive community, or gaining an opportunity to apply new skills.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re reflecting on the people and experiences that help Hispanic and Latino professionals grow within the industry.

What shaped your cybersecurity journey? How has Raíces Cyber supported your development through mentorship, hands-on learning, professional connections, or community?

🎥 Share your experience in a 30–60-second video. Submissions are welcome in English or Spanish:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhyTd9TyG80p7pIMtIhSsTYTwt-HBtjgUHzC1WbjwSt1lbOQ/viewform

Your story could help someone recognize a pathway forward.