Network Security Analyst
Jenny Guay
"I love the hunt for information—figuring out where a threat came from, what’s behind it, and who’s behind it."
Network Security Analyst
Jenny Guay
"I love the hunt for information—figuring out where a threat came from, what’s behind it, and who’s behind it."
Network Security Analyst
Jenny Guay
"I love the hunt for information—figuring out where a threat came from, what’s behind it, and who’s behind it."
About Jenny
Certifications
CyberOps Associate
Location
Greater Ottawa, Canada
Hobbies
Knitter & Crocheter
Videogamer
Painter
How it all began
I have always been fascinated with computers and technology. I even disassembled a PC when I was a kid. Later, in high school, I enrolled in networking courses. That lead to my first certification, and I never looked back.
It was during my training for other certifications that I discovered cybersecurity. I was instantly fascinated. While attending cybersecurity community brunches, I shared experiences with other women in IT and learned about various security jobs.
Today, I work as a Senior Network Security Analyst. Through it all, one thing has remained true — my initiative has continued to shape my career and open new doors.
An unexpected opportunity arises
I decided I wanted to transition into cybersecurity. And when Cisco announced its Global Cybersecurity Scholarship Program (now discontinued), I didn’t wait for an engraved invitation. I pounced on the opportunity. I became one of the first persons to pass the exam and earn a CCNA CyberOps (now CyberOps Associate) certification.
Midway through my CCNA CyberOps studies, I learned of an opportunity at another company, working as its SOC operator. Busy as I was, I made time for the interview. The employer was impressed with how wellinformed I was. I knew the subject matter inside and out because it was precisely the material I had just studied during the Cisco course.
What does having a Cisco Certification mean to you?
“The guidance I gained from earning the certification helped— in near real time—to determine what was happening on the job, when I became an SOC operator.”
So, what’s next on my long list of aspirations? I have my eyes trained on a Cisco CyberOps Professional certification. I’ve been in the industry for a while now, still love to learn, and the CyberOps Professional could serve as the pinnacle on my certification resume.
“The guidance I gained from earning the certification helped— in near real time—to determine what was happening on the job, when I became an SOC operator.”
So, what’s next on my long list of aspirations? I have my eyes trained on a Cisco CyberOps Professional certification. I’ve been in the industry for a while now, still love to learn, and the CyberOps Professional could serve as the pinnacle on my certification resume.
What would you tell your younger self?
“I would tell myself to be sure to network. Take any chance to attend virtual meetups, engage with the people you admire on social media, and apply for any security job to gain interviewing experience.”
What would you tell a friend?
“I'd tell them to know your stuff! Print out the exam objectives to identify your areas of need. I'd also suggest finding a study group, keep staying curious, and explore the knowledge rabbit holes.”
Jenny's career path
CURRENT ROLE
Senior Network Security Analysts identify, assess, and oversee remediation of network security risks.
Senior Network Security Analyst
PREVIOUS ROLES
Information Security Analyst
SOC Operator
IT Specialist
Jenny’s certification path
MOST RECENT CERTIFICATION
CyberOps Professional
The Cisco Certified CyberOps Professional certification builds on the Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification. The program elevates the skills needed to address nuanced security challenges, and prepares professionals for incident response roles, cloud security, and other active defense security roles.
OTHER CISCO CERTIFICATIONS
CyberOps Associate
(Recertified)
The Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification validates the tactical knowledge that Security Operations Center (SOC) teams need to manage cybersecurity threats. The exam covers security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, network intrusion analysis, and security policies and procedures.
Read more certification success stories
AJ Murray
"After getting my CCNA, I turned my attention to taking the CCNP Enterprise. About a month after passing the exam and obtaining the professional-level certification, I was promoted to senior deployment engineer, leading a team of engineers. I was told the CCNP certification wasn’t a requirement for getting the new position, but it helped convince management that I could lead others."
Senior Network Engineer
CCNA, CCDA, CCNP Enterprise
Christoph Neulinger
"Preparing for certification increased my knowledge and confidence, which ultimately translated to better work performance. As a result, I’ve received generous salary increases."
Network Engineer
CCNA, CCNP Enterprise
Olivia Wolf
"The knowledge that I’ve got from studying for those certifications gave me the confidence that I’ll always be able to get a job if I need to."
Systems Engineer
CCNA, CCNP Enterprise, DevNet Associate
Streamline certification prep
Cisco U. certification Learning Paths walk you through courses and labs to prepare for your next exam, with assessments to check your learning.