Transitioning from academia to industry can bring both excitement and challenges. This talk aims to provide guidance for this journey by exploring the work environment disparities between grad school and industry positions. Drawing from firsthand experiences, we will discuss practical strategies for current students to prepare themselves effectively for industry roles. Furthermore, we will delve into the dynamic landscape of the cybersecurity industry, shedding light on prevalent challenges and emerging trends. From combating ransomware to addressing social engineering threats, we will examine the pressing issues cybersecurity professionals encounter daily. Finally, we will illustrate the practical applications of academic research within the professional world.

Brian Kondracki is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Jane Street Capital. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science in May 2023 from Stony Brook University. There, he worked in the Pragsec lab under the guidance of Professor Nick Nikiforakis. His research focuses on web and network security; specifically, on developing techniques to identify networked entities using characteristics of their behavior. During his Ph.D., Brian was an author on nine published works in the cybersecurity space, winning awards such as third place in the 2021 CSAW Applied Research competition, as well as the 11th annual NSA Best Scientific Cybersecurity Paper competition.