Introduction
In this Developer Spotlight, we feature Cameron Schmidt, a Splunk app developer at Hurricane Labs. With over a decade of experience, he has helped enhance Splunk’s functionality with over dozens of Splunk apps — many of which are featured on Splunkbase. Join us as we explore his journey and impact.
From Curiosity to Code: A Developer's Journey
"I enjoy solving complex problems, optimizing workflows, and building applications that make data more accessible and actionable," Cameron shares. His work focuses on creating new integrations and enhancing existing tools to improve the user experience for Splunk developers and administrators.
Getting Started with Splunk: The First Steps
Cameron was first introduced to Splunk as a college intern working in his university’s Security Department. "At the time, our team had just started using Splunk for threat detection, but there was a steep learning curve. No one had deep expertise yet, which gave me the opportunity to dive in and learn it from the ground up."
As he became more familiar with Splunk, Cameron saw the need for additional tools to expand its capabilities. "We quickly realized that while Splunk was powerful, some of our needs went beyond its default features. That’s when I started developing custom Splunk apps to fill the gaps."
This hands-on experience set the foundation for his career. After college, he joined Hurricane Labs as a Splunk app developer, where he has spent years building custom solutions for organizations looking to maximize their Splunk investments.
Creating Custom Splunk Solutions
Throughout his career, Cameron has developed apps for a wide range of organizations, from small startups to large enterprises. "Every business has unique needs. While Splunk is an incredible platform, sometimes the built-in tools don’t quite get users where they need to be. That’s where custom development comes in."
With extensive experience developing Splunk applications, Cameron has built dozens of apps tailored to security monitoring, performance optimization, and specialized integrations. "I love the challenge of extending Splunk’s capabilities to meet new demands. There’s always a way to push the limits of what’s possible with the right tools and a bit of creativity."
The Better Webhooks App
Seeing an opportunity to improve the integration experience, Cameron built the Better Webhooks app. "Think of it as upgrading a basic wrench to an adjustable one. This app expands integration possibilities, adds advanced features, and improves security—something that’s crucial for many businesses."
At Hurricane Labs, for example, the team relies on Webex for communication, but Splunk’s default webhook security was insufficient. "This app not only increases functionality but also ensures safer integrations, which was a major improvement for us."
Go-To Developer Resources
When it comes to building Splunk apps, Cameron has a few go-to resources. "I visit the Splunk Developer Portal frequently—it’s full of valuable documentation that I highly recommend. Splunk Lantern is also a great place to find well-written, in-depth articles."
He’s also an active participant in the Splunk Community Slack group. "It’s a volunteer-driven space, but I’ve found it incredibly helpful when tackling tricky development challenges. The community is always willing to share knowledge."
Pro Tips from Cameron
For those new to Splunk app development, Cameron emphasizes the platform’s flexibility. "With many tools, you’re often constrained by what an app or integration allows you to do. That hasn’t been my experience with Splunk—its openness is one of the reasons I love building apps for it."
He encourages new developers to experiment and push boundaries. "I hope other app developers discover the same sense of freedom and creativity that I’ve found in Splunk development. There’s always room to innovate."
A Spicy Hobby: Growing Peppers
Outside of development, Cameron has a unique hobby—growing peppers. "It started as a COVID project, but I’ve really come to love it. I built a small raised garden in my backyard, where I grow all sorts of hot pepper varieties. Every fall, I turn them into hot sauce and give them away." "Some of them can be extremely hot, so I always make sure people are prepared! But not all of them are super spicy—there’s a good mix."
Conclusion
Cameron Schmidt's passion for development and problem-solving drives his impact in the Splunk community. His commitment to creating innovative tools and empowering organizations with data serves as an inspiration for aspiring developers. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories in our Developer Spotlight series!
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