Cyber Success Trifecta: Education, Certifications & Experience

The piece highlights the “golden triangle” of cybersecurity success—security certifications, a degree, and hands-on experience—as essential for newcomers and career growth, emphasising that competency comes from education, certifications, and practical work. It profiles Colonel Georgeo Xavier Pulikkathara, a US Army veteran and current CISO at iMerit, whose career spans Wall Street, Microsoft, and military operations, bringing a blend of technical depth and risk-management insight.

He stresses mastering fundamentals such as the OSI model and data flows, and advocates starting with entry-level certifications while pursuing a college degree to understand business models underpinning security. The interview also stresses continuous learning, citing his CISSP obligations of 120 hours of continuing education every three years, and the importance of mentors and networking in finding guidance.

It notes his mindset shift from making systems work to making them secure, and acknowledges AI and automation as evolving forces, with the human element remaining irreplaceable. This overview was published by Dark Reading, according to Dark Reading. 5 February 2026.