Protecting Business Networks with Military and Tech Precision
James Ballard ’19
Before WCTC graduate James Ballard ’19 helped protect businesses’ digital networks, he learned tactical defense as a paratrooper during his nine years in the U.S. Army. His experiences, along with a mission-oriented mindset, have carried over into his civilian work in the cybersecurity space.
In the military, securing the objective is paramount, Ballard said. Comparatively, in the digital sphere, while the targets and the medium may be different, protecting what matters most is critical.
“Security is something you are kind of built with from the military, and the infantry in particular, so it was just a matter of taking what I know conceptually and applying the cyberthreat-scape to it,” he said.
From the Army to the Classroom
Seeking a new career path after leaving the Army in the 2010s, Ballard found a natural fit in WCTC’s hands-on Cybersecurity Specialist program. Instead of relying on rigid metrics, the curriculum focused on resilience and adaptability – an approach he embraced.
“Security is one of those fields that is constantly changing and there’s often more than one way to accomplish a goal,” he said, noting the importance of balancing foundational principles with navigating a fast-moving threat.
Cryptek Cybersecurity Solutions is a strategic cybersecurity partner to businesses of all sizes, delivering proactive, end-to-end solutions that eliminate vulnerabilities, ensure compliance and strengthen a company’s defenses before threats emerge. Cryptek tailors every solution to an organization’s specific risks and industry requirements.
Combined with WCTC’s workforce-focused training, that knowledge and mindset has given him a competitive edge.
The Path to Entrepreneurship
After graduating and gaining experience across both managed service providers and corporate sectors, Ballard recognized a security gap between small-to-midsize businesses and larger organizations. Inspired to bridge it and provide solutions, he launched Cryptek Cybersecurity Solutions nearly three years ago to serve clients in financial, medical, educational, legal and other sectors.
There are “unique hills to climb,” as a business owner, Ballard said, especially when starting a brand that didn’t exist. While the focus is on a particular passion and skill, there are also many other aspects to learn such as marketing, sales and operations.
The late nights, long hours and other sacrifices inherent to entrepreneurship can be daunting, but Ballard said the results are worth it.
“There’s a certain peace of mind when you know you built something unique, and you are supplying something to the world in your own way,” he said. “It’s incredible. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”