For 20 years, Anthony Valentino has worked extensively with IT departments across universities in California. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Chief Information Security Officer for Governance, Risk, and Compliance.
Anthony Valentino took an unconventional path into cybersecurity: his background is in business, not computer science. However, he found his passion in cybersecurity when he took his job as the IT HelpDesk Representative at Biola University. At Biola, He launched an inaugural cybersecurity program making cybersecurity accessible and engaging for students, staff, and faculty, even with limited resources. Through his work at Biola, he became the Director and acting CISO of Information and Security.
Now, Anthony serves as the Assistant Chief Information Security Officer for Governance, Risk, and Compliance at UCSB. He leads a small team to ensure UCSB is in compliance with cybersecurity laws and proactively identifies and mitigates potential cyber risks.
Anthony has also made strides in the Research and software acquisition at UCSB. In this role, he and his team investigate whether the new software UCSB is looking to invest in meets UCSB’s cybersecurity requirements by completing vendor risk assessments. These assessments review each vendor’s cybersecurity posture to ensure UCSB’s data is safe and secure. He also oversees Research governance and compliance efforts that help facilitate funding for research grants. He also collaborates with multiple department heads, such as the research and defense group at UCSB. Without Anthony’s help, millions of dollars could be lost, dangerous software could be spread throughout the workflow, and UCSB could receive multiple lawsuits due to lost or stolen data. As Anthony recounts his duties, he states his main goal is that he wants “ UCSB to be a safe environment for all.”
When asked about the emerging risk in the cybersecurity space, Anthony points to AI and data breaches. With millions of vulnerable data points being exposed and AI pretending to be official, it’s becoming easier to fall for scams or inadvertently place sensitive data into a public AI tool.
To improve your safety online, Anthony believes that it’s important to “Stop and Think”. He unpacks this statement by following up with “although life moves fast, it’s essential to take a step back occasionally and pause to consider whether the email or text you received is true. You need to consider if these messages, such as requesting banking details or threatening account deletion, are from a trusted source, and it is always a good practice to “stop and think” before clicking any links or entering any unsolicited information.” Lastly, he advises keeping your operating systems and apps updated to maintain digital safety.
Anthony encourages students that are interested in cybersecurity should pursue their passions first. He warns that it’s not always easy to break into cybersecurity, but it’s not impossible. He suggests that working at the IT help desk can be valuable. Though his first job at the IT help desk may not have been viewed as glamorous, it was invaluable as he learned of his interests in protecting people, endpoints, and servers. Soon enough, he was interested in teaching others how to stay safe on the internet. Though starting at the help desk may not have been the most ideal position, it’s a way to learn about most facets in information technology and to find your passion.
Outside of work, Anthony is an avid reader and keeps up with the latest cybersecurity news and trends. He loves to stay active by hiking with his family and friends. He also enjoys going out to the beach and spending time with his family.
When talking about what made him start his career in Cybersecurity, Anthony smiles. His enthusiasm for the field hasn’t wavered. With a laugh, he remarks how he chose this job because “he wants to protect people from the bad guys.” Through Anthony, the changes that UCSB has gone through will continue to permeate through current and future Gauchos.