Welcome to our Q&A with the brilliant mind behind some of McAfee's most groundbreaking initiatives, Cedric. With a passion for espresso, global collaboration, and a deep understanding of cyber threats and vulnerabilities like Log4J, Cedric has proven himself as a powerhouse in the world of cybersecurity.
Join us as we delve into the life and experiences of the man leading Team[X], a remarkable group of experts within our Office of CTO (OCTO) and discover what inspires him to create a safer digital world.
#LifeAtMcAfee: Not Your Typical 9 to 5
I’ve been a team member at McAfee for over 17 years. I joined as an Anti-Malware Research Manager as part of McAfee Labs. I’m currently a Senior Director of Team[X] (a group of multi-disciplinary subject matter experts), a Senior Principal Engineer where I focus on threat research and securing the next generation of McAfee technologies. In addition, I’m the head of our Technical Leadership committee.
There’s no such thing as a “typical” day for me. Why? Well, it’s all about global reach. I’m based in Portland, Oregon, but I kick things off early because my work spans India, the EU, and the US East Coast. That means I’m likely online by 6am Pacific.
During my afternoons, I focus on threat research, coding, and the technical aspects of our projects. That’s when I also mentor and coach my incredible local team members. As the evening sets in, I make a conscious effort to disconnect from work and engage in social activities, before resuming work with team members in Asia.
Behind the scenes: Leading McAfee’s Technical Leader Committee
I’m currently heading our Technical Leadership (TL) Committee, one of the most challenging and rewarding roles I’ve taken on since joining McAfee. The TL Committee's work is like building a ladder for our technical leaders to climb. It's a year-long effort, from selecting nominees to improving the process, assigning coaches, and preparing nominees. It all culminates in the TL Committee board meeting and the promotion of our new technical leaders.
I've served on the TL board since its infancy at McAfee. It's an honor and a demanding responsibility that we take very seriously.
It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my role — being able to mentor the next generation of diverse technical leaders. Seeing them grow and become leaders of their own is the ultimate reward.
Shifting our focus
Our team is responsible for creating, securing, and delivering innovative technologies, which sometimes pushes us out of our comfort zone, requiring us to take risks and learn from our mistakes. It's important to understand that not every novel idea will lead to success.
Not so long ago, we had to shift our focus towards a pure consumer mindset. This shift demanded us to re-evaluate our strategies and adapt to new circumstances. My biggest takeaway from this is make sure you continually reassess past decisions because what was true yesterday might not hold true today.
My career inspiration
I owe a debt of gratitude to my math teachers, who ignited my interest in computer science and cybersecurity — they’re the reason I took the career path I did. A math teacher started a computer science club in junior high, and despite being initially denied access, my persistence paid off, and I joined. It fueled my passion for cybersecurity.
While studying for my master’s degree, my applied math teacher taught me about cryptoanalysis. Then my teacher offered me a job at a cybersecurity startup, and that’s where I began my career. The rest, as they say, is history. It's all thanks to the mentorship and guidance of those teachers.
Life outside McAfee
As my wife likes to say, I tend to keep myself occupied and don't require much sleep! Apart from my work, my wife and I have also acquired multiple rental properties over the years, many of which I have personally remodeled. While explaining the significance of cyber security exploits like Log4J can be challenging, it's much easier to showcase the results of a bathroom renovation to friends and family!
In our free time, my wife and I share a love for outdoor activities such as skiing, water rafting, hiking with our dogs, and scuba diving (we are both certified divers). We also enjoy exploring new, remote locations. The last destination we visited was Alicante, Spain - so we're looking forward to the next adventure together!
