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A week in the life of...

August 04, 2016

Wessel Hemels, Cyber Security Specialist

Wessel's affinity with IT began with Commander Keen, Vikings, Stunts, etcetera; now known as retro games. His interest in relation to IT Security grew during his study at the MBO (2006-2009). Wessel: "Here I noticed that I had interest in how some systems were let's say 'abused' instead of how you can manage them in the best way. Shortly after that I continued my studies at Saxion HBO Enschede (2009-2012) with some minors with topics more related to Security. When I got the opportunity at the end of my studies at Saxion to do a Master Information and Security (2012-2013) at Ferris State University in Michigan, USA I obviously could not say no. After a year I became Master of Science. This has really put the focus on (Ethical) Hacking, Database Security and Forensic Research.

Shortly after I was back in the Netherlands I went straight to work at Sincerus, a small, cozy and very professional organisation in Zwolle. After half a year internally to have done some work (pen tests, etc.), I was seconded to Thales in Hengelo (2014). Here I worked for the IT department. After some time, about 1.5 years, I had the opportunity to work with the Security Operating Center in Huizen (2015). I quickly became attached to the whole project and I wanted to experience all of it in it's adult form. After a meeting with the Cyber Security Director I was able to work as an employee of Thales as Cyber Security Engineer (2016). I'm responsible for the intelligence and correlation rules for our SOC and I maintain various customer contacts.

Everything went very fast and I enjoy my work every day!"

Mo

Weekly meeting with the Cyber Team

Mo

At home on the couch watching Suits with my girlfriend

Tu

After work I like to sport

We

Development of new connection Probe-based SOC module

We

In the evening I visited my grandpa!

Th

To the office, today especially customer meetings

Th

In the evening we placed signs for our village festival

Fr

Start of the weekend, we visited 'Lepeltje Lepeltje' in Zwolle

Weekend

Saturday addressed the front yard

Weekend

...and in the afternoon to a festival

Weekend

Closure of the weekend: bbq at my parents