Hello and welcome back to "Splunk Smartness," where we explore how Splunk Education can turbocharge your career and your technical skills. I'm your host, Callie Skokos, and today we're chatting with Pedro Borges, a Senior Security Engineer at Siemens, based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Pedro, great to have you on the series!
Pedro Borges: Thanks, Callie. I’m really glad to be here!
Callie Skokos: Pedro, you seem to balance a busy life with some fun activities. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Pedro: Well, spending time with my family is my top priority. When I find some extra time, I enjoy playing video games and noodling around on my bass guitar. It's a great way to unwind.
Callie: Sounds like a perfect way to recharge. Now, diving into your professional journey, how did you start using Splunk?
Pedro: My Splunk journey kicked off around Splunk .conf18. I was working at Concur as a Security Engineer, mainly focused on vulnerability management. I was a bit skeptical about how Splunk could fit into that, but attending the conference with my manager/mentor opened my eyes to its capabilities. By the next year, I was deep into learning how to support our Splunk deployment.
Callie: What an introduction! What Splunk products are you currently using?
Pedro: Right now, we’re using Splunk Enterprise and Splunk Enterprise Security. They're integral tools for our security architecture.
Callie: With these powerful tools at your disposal, how did you go about learning to use them effectively?
Pedro: My management invested in Splunk instructor-led training and eLearning with labs, plus Splunk Certifications. So, I attended this type of training, but the best learning experience, really, has been on-the-job—really getting hands-on with the platform. I was also fortunate to have a great mentor and learn from others who've been working with Splunk. Plus, using Splunk exam prep for Splunk Certification is another great motivator to learn and dig deeper into what the products can do.
Callie: Oh, so you have Splunk Certifications? Can you tell us about the ones you’ve achieved?
Pedro: Absolutely! I have quite a few certifications under my belt: Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect, Splunk Enterprise Security Certified Admin, Splunk Cloud Certified Admin, and Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Analyst. Honestly, I’m running out of certifications to take! Getting Splunk certified and becoming really proficient in using Splunk has been one of the best career moves I've made.
Callie: That's really impressive, Pedro. Shows such a growth mindset! Along with the traditional Splunk training, have you participated in any Splunk University bootcamps?
Pedro: Yes, I’ve taken part in bootcamps, especially to ramp up on SOAR. The in-person experience is invaluable because you can interact directly with instructors and ask questions on the spot. It’s usually a long, intensive week in Las Vegas, but it’s worth it. It’s tough to match that level of engagement when you’re learning virtually.
Callie: It sounds like those experiences have been integral to your learning. Pedro, what are the most valuable insights you've gained from using Splunk in your role?
Pedro: My role leans heavily towards the architectural and administrative side of things, managing three Splunk environments end-to-end. It’s not just about sifting through data; it’s about managing updates, developing dashboards, and optimizing our processes. Splunk helps us keep our security posture proactive rather than reactive.
Callie: And how has becoming proficient with Splunk impacted your career?
Pedro: It’s been a game-changer. In a previous role, I was promoted to SIEM design manager, overseeing close to 20 Splunk deployments, which led to my current role at Siemens. Getting certified in Splunk was definitely one of the best career decisions I've made.
Callie: That’s so amazing to hear. What future plans do you have regarding Splunk or further certifications?
Pedro: I’m looking forward to tackling more complex challenges—integrating intricate data sources, managing complex deployments. It’s about continuous growth and pushing the boundaries of what I can do with Splunk to support my organization. I’m also very active in the Splunk Community and hope to share my expertise and experience with those who are early career learners like I once was when I started.
Callie: I love hearing this because we LOVE our Splunk Community, too. I hear you’re a Splunk Community MVP, which is a way for Splunk to recognize and celebrate our star contributors. What’s that been like?
Pedro: It’s been super validating. I’m on my way toward becoming a SplunkTrust member, and it feels great to give back to the community that has helped me so much. From sharing tips on the community channels to participating in presentations at .conf, it’s been a rewarding experience.
Callie: I’m excited about what’s ahead for you, Pedro. Thank you so much for sharing your Splunk journey with us today.
Pedro: Thank you, Callie. It was a pleasure to be here and share my story!
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And thank you all for tuning into "Splunk Smartness." We'll be back next time with more insights on how Splunk can enhance your tech skills and career – and help you make your organization more resilient. Until then, stay smart and keep Splunking!
PS: Be like Pedro and check out our latest Splunk Certification – Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Engineer.
