From Insurance Adviser to Cybersecurity Partnership Manager

After more than 20 years in customer-facing and sales roles, Nick Walmsley was ready for a new challenge. In 2023, he was working as a self-employed insurance and protection adviser when he decided to pursue his long-standing interest in cybersecurity. He wanted to help organisations protect themselves from cybercrime, but transitioning into a new industry meant developing technical knowledge while finding a way to build on his existing experience.

Through SANS Upskill in Cyber, Nick developed the cybersecurity foundation to pursue new opportunities. Today, he is a Strategic Partnership Manager at Citation Cyber, combining his technical knowledge with decades of experience working with clients.

Building Confidence in Learning Again

In 2023, Nick joined SANS Upskill in Cyber, an intensive 14-week programme designed to help people develop the skills needed to enter cybersecurity. The programme combined technical training, certification exams, soft skills development, and opportunities to engage with employers.

Returning to study presented a personal challenge. Nick has dyslexia, which was not diagnosed until he was in his mid-thirties. Looking back, he feels it helps explain why he struggled in school. Completing the SANS training helped him recognise what he could achieve when studying a subject that genuinely interested him.

“My biggest challenge was learning with dyslexia,” he says.

Nick completed SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, and Security, which covered computing, operating systems, networking, and introductory security concepts. He then completed SEC401: Security Essentials: Network, Endpoint, and Cloud, developing knowledge of how to protect information and technology assets, detect threats, and respond to incidents.

The progression from foundational concepts to defensive security gave Nick greater confidence in his technical understanding and his ability to discuss cybersecurity with employers and clients.

Earning his qualifications also encouraged him to continue learning. He has since enrolled in another cybersecurity course to further develop his knowledge.

Bringing His Experience Into Cybersecurity

Although Nick was eager to enter the cybersecurity industry, starting in an entry-level technical role wasn’t financially practical. With existing financial commitments, he needed to maintain his earnings while making the transition.

Rather than abandon his previous experience, he looked for opportunities to combine his new technical knowledge with more than two decades of experience in sales and client relationships.

Through a professional contact in the managed services and incident response sector, Nick was introduced to the CTO and co-founder of Citation Cyber. The company was recruiting for a Cyber Security Sales Manager, and Nick was offered the position.

He credits his SANS qualifications with helping him demonstrate his cybersecurity knowledge during the interview process and supporting his work after joining the company.

Nick has since advanced to Strategic Partnership Manager, where he helps organisations understand their cybersecurity needs and identify ways to strengthen their defenses.

He particularly values working with smaller organisations. His technical training helps him explain cybersecurity concepts in practical terms, whether he’s discussing penetration testing, employee security awareness training, or the requirements for achieving Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

For Nick, combining technical knowledge with his previous experience has allowed him to contribute to cybersecurity without following a traditional technical career path.

Staying Connected Through Academy Connect

Nick’s connection to SANS has continued beyond his initial training.

Through SANS Academy Connect, he has maintained relationships with others from his Upskill in Cyber cohort. He enjoys following their career progression, particularly because many also entered the programme without previous professional experience in IT or cybersecurity.

“My journey in cyber is still at the beginning,” he says.

Academy Connect has provided an opportunity to stay connected with peers, share experiences, and find encouragement as he continues developing his cybersecurity career.

Nick’s journey demonstrates that a successful career transition doesn’t always require starting from scratch. By combining his existing professional strengths with new cybersecurity knowledge, he found a way to enter the industry, advance his career, and help organisations better protect themselves.