A Cyber Security Professional with a certification of Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) v12 and researcher. Currently an Assistant Tutor at Northwest College teaching course of IT & Cyber Security.

Find out more about Priyank

• Can you tell us about your first experience using a computer?

  My first experience using a computer was truly fascinating. I was around 10 years old when I got my hands on a basic desktop running Windows 98. The thrill of exploring MS Paint, playing early PC games, and eventually writing my first few lines of code in basic ignited my passion for technology. Moreover, I was curious to know how these computers were made, learning about their hardware and software. That initial curiosity eventually led me to dive deep into programming, ethical hacking, and website development.

• What is the technological evolution that has marked you most and what will be, in your eyes, a turning point in this field?

  The biggest technological evolution that has shaped my perspective is the rise of Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity advancements. The integration of AI in security tools, chatbots, and ethical hacking techniques is truly revolutionary. In my eyes, the turning point will be the widespread adoption of AI-powered cybersecurity defense mechanisms, where AI will proactively detect and mitigate threats before they even occur. Quantum computing is another game-changer that will redefine encryption and security.

• Explain your expertise, your interest in it and, more broadly, its importance in the computer world.

  I started my journey in cybersecurity, gaining hands-on experience in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and digital security. Becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v12) strengthened my skills in understanding cybersecurity threats, attack vectors, and mitigation techniques. This field fascinated me as it plays a crucial role in protecting businesses, individuals, and governments from cyber threats. Later, I expanded my expertise to website development and programming, as secure coding is an essential part of cybersecurity. I work with multiple languages, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, C, and C++, ensuring that security best practices are embedded in every stage of development. My experience spans from building secure websites and web applications to integrating security measures to prevent vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, XSS, and CSRF attacks. In today's digital world, both cybersecurity and web development are interconnected-without secure development, websites and applications become easy targets for hackers. That's why I teach both aspects, ensuring my students learn not only how to build websites but also how to secure them from cyber threats.

• Do so-called 'visionaries', such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg inspire you or do you have other role models?

  While Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have undeniably shaped the tech industry, my biggest inspiration comes from people like Kevin Mitnick (one of the most well-known ethical hackers) and Linus Torvalds (the creator of Linux). Their contributions to cybersecurity and open-source technology align with my passion for ethical hacking and secure development. I also admire Elon Musk for his innovative mindset and ability to push technological boundaries.

• What would you say to an uncomfortable person in front of a screen who says that "IT is too complicated"?

  Ok, so basically I would tell them that IT is only as complicated as we make it seem. The key is to break it down into simple, manageable steps. When I teach website development or cybersecurity, I ensure my students understand the fundamentals before moving on to advanced concepts. With the right guidance and hands-on practice, anyone can learn and excel in IT. After all, technology is meant to simplify our lives, not complicate them.

• What are your other passions, related or non-related to computers?

  Apart from coding and cybersecurity, I am passionate about ethical hacking, AI research, and developing cybersecurity awareness tools. Outside of the tech world, I enjoy traveling, photography, and reading books on technological innovations. I also have a keen interest in business and entrepreneurship, constantly exploring ways to bridge the gap between cybersecurity and business security solutions.