Serenity K. Valeri, CISSP
Hello. I’m Serenity Valeri, a certified security professional, end-of-life companion, and forensic psychology student.This is where you’ll find information about me, my education, my professional experiences, and what led me to volunteer in end-of-life care. You’ll also be able to learn about my other interests, like storytelling and my work as a cybersecurity professional.
About the Author
Hi there, I'm Serenity Valeri, and I'm excited to share part of my journey with you. Since my upbringing in the American South, I've always been drawn to exploring new ideas wherever they take me and expanding my horizons. With a diverse background to match my diverse experiences, I continue to uncover my calling in positively impacting people's lives, from safeguarding data to advocating for better systems.Having spent over six years in cybersecurity and fourteen in IT, I’m passionate about connecting people with their data in a way that honors the value of privacy. Returning to the meaning of security means recognizing that people are the priority in each system I create or interface with. Evaluating policies, assessing threats, managing projects, and remediating vulnerabilities are the interdisciplinary functions of the holistic systems I navigate.I live in Shelby Township, Michigan, where I continue to expand my skillset, deepen my knowledge, and connect with a diverse community of individuals while volunteering locally with organizations that support aging populations.
What I Do For Fun
Having a robust life outside of the work I do is extremely important to me. Whether supporting causes, reading, caring for terrariums, gaming, or storytelling, I enjoy expressing myself creatively and positively impacting the world where I can.I'm an avid reader and enjoy engrossing myself in literature of all kinds, ranging from academic works and non-fiction to science fiction, fantasy, and comics. My library is eclectic and well-loved. I also enjoy writing short stories and creating fictional universes with others in collaborative gaming environments and elsewhere.As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for LGBTQ+ equality and acceptance, particularly for the needs of our elders, is of utmost importance to me. It's crucial that everyone feels safe and supported to thrive at any stage in their lives.
My Cybersecurity Career
Having spent over six years in the field of Cybersecurity and fourteen in IT, I earned the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) in early 2020 while working as a Security Engineer for a national telecommunications service provider. Preparing for the exam involved months of study, and many professionals take it multiple times before passing. To increase my chances of success, I created a study guide for myself and my colleagues and organized research and practice groups. All my hard work paid off when I passed the test on the first attempt, joining the ranks of other certified Cybersecurity professionals worldwide.Apart from the satisfaction of earning the certification, I was attracted to CISSP because of its emphasis on ethics, privacy, systems security, and legal compliance. These align well with my attention to detail and dedication to personal excellence. To retain my CISSP certification, I spend dozens of hours each year keeping up with the global technology-related legal and compliance landscape, particularly the downstream effects of the absence of comprehensive privacy laws.Working full-time in a field that transcends national borders and is interconnected has allowed me to be part of international and interdisciplinary teams, which has been critical to my professional success. I strive to recognize the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of individuals in every aspect of my life. By being adaptable to different environments, I maintain an open mind towards various ideas and new ways of thinking. This enables me to gather and analyze information from multiple sources, ensuring that I understand a problem thoroughly. Additionally, I can accurately summarize and interpret data while being aware of my biases. In all settings, professional and otherwise, I advocate for inclusion, equitable practices, justice, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.My experience as an IT professional and CISSP has enhanced my ability to collaborate with others to achieve common goals. I routinely exercise the ability to compromise and be agile while proactively anticipating project or client needs and prioritizing action steps.
Education
In 2017, while attending Parkland College in Champaign, Illinios, I completed my Associates of Science in General Studies with a focus on computer science and programming languages.Currently, I attend Arizona State University online, where I'm working towards my Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology. I was initially drawn to the field because of the overlap of psychology and law, both of which interest me as a cybersecurity professional. Social engineering, policy creation, and compliance, especially risk and threat assessments are part of why I find this field of interest for my career.I'm a member of the Psi Chi honor society for Psychology students and maintain a 3.81 GPA. My anticipated graduation date is May 2025.
Volunteering
In March 2023, I began volunteering for Tru Community Care hospice as a respite companion and Reiki practitioner. I enjoyed collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, interviewing clients directly to meet their needs, and serving Colorado's families.Now that I've relocated to Michigan, I volunteer for MiGen, which offers resources and services for aging adults from the local community.
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