Eric Logan
Eric M. Logan brings over 26 years of dedicated experience in IT and cybersecurity across K-12 and higher education environments. Currently serving as Director of Information & Network Security for DeKalb County School District, Eric leads the district's cybersecurity transformation, having built their first dedicated security team and launched innovative programs like Cyber Champions, which empowers students to become peer leaders in digital safety.
His career spans institutions including Georgia Tech Research Institute, where he served as Cybersecurity Operations Manager and later as Governance, Risk & Compliance Manager, and Emory University, where he provided technical expertise to students and researchers while managing campus-wide technology systems. Eric's unique perspective combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic leadership and a genuine passion for education.
Session
The traditional cybersecurity career ladder is broken. Entry-level positions demand years of experience and the advice that worked five to ten years ago leaves aspiring professionals spinning their wheels. AI has fundamentally transformed both the work we do and how we're expected to prove we can do it.
This talk examines why the old playbook no longer works and reveals what works now. You'll learn how to leverage AI tools to build demonstrable security skills, position yourself in emerging niches where AI creates opportunity rather than competition, and make yourself visible in ways that cut through the noise of traditional job markets.
We'll explore strategies for the AI era including building proof of work that stands out, developing skills that complement rather than compete with automation, and networking in ways that bypass gatekeepers. Learn how to navigate this new landscape and learn the common pitfalls that waste time and energy.
Whether you're trying to break into cybersecurity for the first time, pivoting from another field, or stuck at a career plateau, this session provides a practical framework for rebooting your approach with actionable strategies you can implement immediately.