Throughout his journey, accomplished cybersecurity professional and captivating public speaker Jonathan Hernandez faced countless trials and tribulations, including people who discouraged him simply because of his background. Hernandez says some doubted his skills and even told him that he was "just trying too hard" because of his accent, interactions that are not uncommon for many immigrants paving their way through a professional industry. Such a road takes intense dedication and profound belief in oneself. Still, Hernandez conquered his fears and earned his battle scars, letting his accomplishments speak for themselves and silencing doubters.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Hernandez moved to Ohio at 19 with limited knowledge of what to expect about living in the United States. Initially taking a job as a restaurant server in the customer industry, the innovative mind used this opportunity to hone his perspective and strengthen his communication skills.
Hernandez used this position for two years until he earned an internship with two State of Ohio Government agencies for one year, which welcomed him into cybersecurity. He attended Columbus State Community College, where he obtained an associate of science in cybersecurity and was ultimately hired as a cybersecurity apprentice. He has a stellar track record, working for a Fortune 100 company as well as one of the largest and best hospitals in the country.
Hernandez enrolled in Western Governors University (WGU) to earn his bachelor's and IT certifications, contribute to the broader cybersecurity community, enhance his social networking skills, and dive into public speaking. Along his journey, Hernandez has received numerous accolades, including an Advanced Technological Excellence Award recipient from the National Science Foundation. Hernandez shared his apprentice experience while representing Columbus at the JP Morgan Chase virtual career event in 2020. He has since conducted at least 15 webinars, one of which was attended and watched by 4.5k people in Asia. As a public speaker, he has spoken at several conferences, such as the Central Ohio ISSA Infosec Summit 2023, the Raices conference, and NKU's cybersecurity symposium.
Hernandez's talent and magnetism as a public speaker have been recognized numerous times. He was one of the speakers at WGU Ohio's 5th anniversary and at his own commencement exercise. During these events, he represented his family, himself, and those who have a dream to come to the United States and find success like Jonathan has. He shared his journey of overcoming obstacles as an immigrant and emerging triumphant. Hernandez's success story was prominently featured on WGU's website, and he was recognized by FutureCon as one of the outstanding cybersecurity professionals in 2022, being hailed for his contributions to the cybersecurity field.
Hernandez's journey in cybersecurity has instilled in him the importance of seeking guidance and continuous learning at every opportunity. By surrounding himself with mentors and experienced individuals, he has sculpted a sponge-like approach to education, which allows him to constantly grow and remain relevant in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.
Hernandez's consistent adoption of new information and techniques has led him to own a broader skill set that spans governance, risk and compliance, threat and vulnerability management, security awareness, and application security. Accompanied by his unparalleled ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, it's clear why he is considered an expert in the field. Hernandez's victorious journey as an immigrant impacting his industry—both in the United States and in his homeland of the Philippines—is a genuine testament to the power of determination and adaptability. If you want to get in contact with Jonathan or continue to follow his journey, you can do so by connecting with him on Linkedin.
