Daniel Bak

How did you first become interested in cybersecurity?

I’ve been into computers since I was about five or six. My first machine was a Commodore 64, and that opened the door for me. I became the “computer guy” for family and friends, and that eventually led to professional roles in support and infrastructure administration.

Cybersecurity became a natural extension of that work. When you’re responsible for the environment, you want to protect it. I was fascinated by hacker stories and emerging threats, and I wanted to stay ahead of what attackers were doing.

What is your current position, and what does it entail?

I’m the IT Security Manager for a national private mortgage company. I lead a team of six—security engineers, analysts, a GRC engineer, and a security architect. Together, we oversee vulnerability management, incident response, compliance, network security, and alert analysis.

What other cybersecurity roles have you held?

Before this role, I was the Director of Information Security at XOJET a private aviation company. That position gave me experience in a highly regulated, high stakes environment and helped build my leadership foundation.

What do you enjoy most about cybersecurity?

It’s always evolving. No two days are the same. You’re constantly learning—new vulnerabilities, new exploits, new defensive strategies. It keeps you sharp. It’s never boring.

What was your educational background before SANS?

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Management from California State University - Sacramento. After working in finance for about two years, I realized it wasn’t for me.

I went back to school and completed several IT focused associate degrees in Network Security, Advanced Networking and Windows Server Administration, and as many as six security related certifications. That training helped me break into IT and eventually move into cybersecurity.

How did you first hear about SANS.edu?

I heard about SANS.edu during a security course run by John Strand. Someone asked about the SANS degree programs, and he spoke very highly of them. I’d known SANS for their training, but I didn’t realize that full degree programs were available. Once I looked into it, it made a lot of sense.

Why did you choose the SANS.edu master’s program?

Choosing the SANS master’s program was truly a win-win: I had the opportunity to earn a master’s degree while also gaining multiple GIAC certifications along the way, which added immediate value to my professional credentials.

What really set SANS apart for me was the quality and relevance of the content. Unlike other certifications I had taken—where the material often felt outdated or superficial—SANS courses were consistently in-depth, hands-on, and kept up to date with the latest industry developments.

Cost was definitely a factor to consider. While SANS courses can be expensive when paid for individually, enrolling through the master’s program made them much more affordable, as the courses were offered at a significantly reduced rate.

How did you fund the program?

It’s been a mix. Early on, my employer offered tuition assistance—up to $5,250 a year. When that ended, I funded the rest myself. SANS.edu offers interest-free payment plans, which helps make it manageable.

What did you find most valuable about the program?

The course materials and labs are innovative, practical, and directly applicable to real-world work. Everything included is up-to-date and nothing feels obsolete.

Did you take classes online or in person? How was that experience?

Almost all of my classes were on demand because of my work and family schedule. It worked really well for me. I’d read the books, watch the videos, and then do the labs.

Tech support was very responsive whenever I had issues. The biggest challenge was time management, but the flexibility made it possible.

How was your experience with student advising?

Excellent. Early on, my advisor helped map out my course sequence. When choosing electives, they explained how different courses aligned with different career paths. Those conversations helped me stay on track and make informed decisions.

Congratulations on being named an RSAC Scholar. What was the experience like for you?

The RSAC Security Scholar program was an incredible opportunity to connect with both the legends of our field and the next generation of talent. I went there to focus on the intersection of AI and cloud security, but I came away with much more than technical insights.

Discussing AI safety with industry pioneers and learning from their transitions into leadership roles provided a roadmap for my own career growth. Whether it was exploring the future of UEBA through digital twins or collaborating with fellow scholars on charity icebreakers, the experience emphasized that security is as much about community and leadership as it is about code and configurations.

How has the SANS.edu master’s program impacted your career trajectory?

It’s definitely helped. When I joined my current company, I was a Senior Security Engineer. Since then, I’ve been promoted to IT Security Manager.

I can’t say the promotion was only because of the program, but the degree and certifications carry real weight. They show discipline, technical depth, and commitment.

What’s next for you?

I want to continue growing into higher level leadership roles—director, VP, maybe even C suite. I want to guide strategy, provide oversight, and mentor people entering the field.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Overall, the SANS.edu master’s program has been a great experience. I’ve enjoyed the classes, the labs, the advising—everything. It’s challenged me and helped me grow.

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