It’s time to meet Ian McGee, senior consultant, cyber risk advisory. McGee joined BARR Advisory in March 2020, bringing with him extensive experience in assessing the design and effectiveness of control environments. He previously worked as a senior auditor for the City and County of Denver, and for K Financial.
What advice does McGee have for someone just starting out in the cybersecurity industry? What excites him about his position? What makes him tick? Let’s find out.
Q: What advice do you have for those new to the cybersecurity industry?
A: Cybersecurity can feel overwhelmingly complex at first, so I recommend newcomers begin developing a personal dictionary to house the various terms and product names they encounter. I also advise that newcomers be patient with themselves—it actually helps you absorb more and learn faster.
Q: What are you most excited about for BARR’s future?
A: I’m excited to be a part of the growth that BARR will experience in the coming years. This company has just the right combination of talent, culture, industry insight, and happy clients. Therefore, I truly believe BARR is destined for greatness, and being a part of something great is very exciting.
Q: What is the most important personal attribute you bring to your job?
A: Patience with complexity and persistence are my most important personal attributes. They are the foundation of what enables me to interact with and understand a variety of clients, systems, and industries. Patience and persistence make me a good problem solver and consultant.
Q: Why should clients choose BARR? What’s different about our approach?
A: Consultants at BARR are abnormally intelligent, collaborative, efficient, and adaptable. They’ve developed innovative ways of communicating with their clients and internally amongst themselves that dramatically adds value and improves their clients’ experience.
Q: What excites you about where the industry is going?
A: I’m interested to see how artificial intelligence will affect it. Some of the most fascinating client systems I’ve come across are those already using AI and advanced machine learning to provide a service. I’m also curious about how AI can be used to protect data and systems.
Q: What gets you up in the morning or keeps you up at night?
A: I wake up excited for long early morning runs and cold chamomile tea. I stay up at night listening to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast and to watch America’s Funniest Home Videos with my wife.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I’m inspired by stoic philosophy, which is something I think a lot of people could benefit from. It’s such a practical tool for gaining a useful, objective, and balanced perspective in life.
Q: What’s your favorite quote?
A: “It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.” — Miyamoto Musashi
Q: What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?
A: Maho Beach on St. John Island is the most beautiful place in the world. Fun fact, it’s also the second most beautiful place in the world.
Q: What is your favorite outdoor activity?
A: I really enjoy slow jogging. Doing so enables me to look around and be mindful of interesting things while I’m running. It’s really more of a form of play-therapy, it’s catharsis! Jog slow! I highly recommend it to anyone.
Q: Last but NOT least—favorite foods to nosh on?
A: Pizza, Snickers bars, and donuts are my favorites. Unfortunately, I only consume them on special occasions.
Learn more about the rest of the BARR Advisory team here. To view open positions, visit our Careers page.