Alumni Spotlight: Marc A. Zirillo ’18CPS, ’23MS

Earning my Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Master of Science degree in Cyber and Information Security from The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies at St. John’s University has been a meaningful investment in my professional development. After I graduated, I leveraged what I learned to perform at a higher level and take on a leadership role in my career.

The professional connections that I made at St. John’s continue to be very beneficial as they provide me with a wealth of resources. These relationships have strengthened my confidence. I appreciate their tips on how to succeed in my field and how to maximize team building to accomplish organizational goals.

The M.S. in Cyber and Information Security program is led by industry experts who taught me to think critically and provided me with the tools I need to further my career. This has helped me advance at Nassau BOCES, where I currently serve as an Information Technology Specialist at the Nassau BOCES Security Operations Center protecting the 56 school districts of Nassau County.

Technology is an ever-changing field; we fix things one day for it to break the next. It speaks strongly to those who enjoy a challenge. Constantly learning is part of the job, and just as cyber threats evolve, so must the defenders of data. The cybersecurity program at St. John’s aided me in cultivating a holistic toolbelt to attack this ever-present threat.

I look forward to continuing being a part of the St. John’s family and helping the next generation of Johnnies accomplish their goals. Alumni are a close-knit, global community; I advise students to take advantage of this resource. I know it won’t be long until I return to St. John’s to continue my lifelong pursuit of knowledge.