#SETSEGStaff – Scott Huntley
In today’s digitally-driven world, where data breaches and cyber threats are an ever-present danger, the role of cyber security specialists has never been more critical. With the education sector consistently ranked in the top five areas targeted by cybercriminals, it’s imperative that SET SEG practice what we preach to our members every day — safeguard our digital footprint to prevent malicious attacks on our data.
Meet Scott Huntley, SET SEG’s Director of Information Technology and Security, whose expertise in cybersecurity is SET SEG’s frontline defense against cybercriminals. From implementing security protocols to staying ahead of emerging threats, Huntley’s work is a blend of technical prowess and strategic thinking, ensuring our sensitive information remains secure.
Q&A: Scott Huntley
Q: What is your role at SET SEG?
At SET SEG I have several roles. First I lead a team of very talented people committed to providing a safe, modern, and secure computing environment for our organization. I also serve as the Security Officer. In today’s world data is king, so it’s important to have someone responsible for ensuring our data is protected.
Q: What do you like about your job?
What I love about my job is the variety. Every day presents a new challenge, and I never know what to expect. I typically start my day with a plan, but often shift focus depending on the issues and tasks that come up throughout the course of the day. This keeps things fresh and makes coming to work more enjoyable.
Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?
I am married to an educator so have a deep understanding of what these people do for our kids in Michigan and how hard they work. Being part of an organization that lightens the burden on educators so they don’t have to worry about their insurance and benefit needs is incredibly rewarding.
Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?
I always say that cyber security is a team sport. My Team can only do so much when it comes to ensuring our data is protected — we need everyone’s help. I strive to make an impact by building trust with our staff. We are all busy and sometimes get in a rush and click on something we know we shouldn’t have, or reply to an email that ends up being a phishing attempt. I want staff to trust in my help should they make a mistake that leads to a cyber breach. Every minute that goes by makes containing an incident harder, so I want to be everyone’s first line of contact when it comes to cyber incidents.
Q: Why do you feel it’s so imperative that employees are educated on cyber security?
Technology can only protect SET SEG so much, and like all companies, our employees are the way in for a targeted cyber-attack. If our staff knows what to look for when it comes to an attempt to access our data, then these attacks can be prevented. What’s more, companies that experience a cyber-attack, are often targeted again and again. If the first attempt isn’t successful, most often the bad actors will move on and look for an easier target.
My team and I provide extensive cybersecurity training for our staff, which they can then apply to their personal lives. I hope they take this knowledge home and educate their families.