When Jameson Suraci of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., a Cybersecurity major at Mount Saint Mary College, landed an internship at the United States Military Academy West Point, it set things in motion for his future plans.
Suraci was a Cybersecurity Analyst intern in the Fall 2022 semester, working with software programs such as Microsoft Sentinel and Azure to complete log analytics, as well as identifying malicious software on West Point’s networks to track failed attacks.
Like his fellow seniors, Suraci will graduate in a few short weeks on Saturday, May 18. He’s already working to secure a job at West Point, a possibility that he’s very grateful to have.
“I want to defend our nation’s infrastructure against domestic and foreign threats,” he explained.
At the Mount, Suraci was a familiar face on the Dean’s list and was named both a Ralph and Aquinas Scholar, recognitions given to the college’s best and brightest students. Outside of the classroom, he was a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon – the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines – and he hosted the college’s ByteKnights Club with his fellow Cybersecurity majors, Kyle Macaluso of New Windsor, N.Y. and Xavier Rodriguez of Hackettstown, N.J.
It might come as a surprise to those who know his aptitude for Cybersecurity, but there was a time when Suraci wasn’t sure what he wanted to major in. But it was his parents, both longtime IBM employees, who helped him to achieve a watershed moment in his life.
“One day my father [suggested that] I should consider Cybersecurity,” he explained. “To be honest, I had never even heard of Cybersecurity, nor was I considering a job in the IT sector. I declared my major in Cybersecurity and jumped in head first. I do not regret my decision. I’m so blessed for my parents and the opportunities presented to me.”
Though he’s been successful as a student in every measure, sometimes Suraci’s path wasn’t easy. Like many who started college in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on his morale. But during that tough time, Suraci persevered.
“Through the power of God, discipline, and determination, I put all my worries aside and focus on the reason I wanted to major in cybersecurity: a government position defending our nation,” Suraci explained.
The Mount’s Cybersecurity program provides hands-on skills to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in software, operating systems, networks, and more. A major or concentration in Cybersecurity at the Mount can lead to careers in government (like Suraci is pursuing), as well as technology, security software, defense, business, and beyond.
Although he’ll miss being a Mount student, Suraci is thankful for the professors who helped him along the way. One such mentor is Sagar Raina, associate professor of Information Technology. Suraci first met Raina in 2020 to discuss the possibility of enrolling in the Mount’s Cybersecurity program.
“Ever since that day, Dr. Raina has become not only my mentor, but a close friend,” Suraci explained. “Dr. Raina ensures excellence in students enrolled in his courses. He achieves this excellence by his passion, dedication, determination, and commitment to the students. Dr. Raina is the type of man who will sit with you for hours to help you understand a topic you may be struggling with, or even just to chat.”
He added, “I have the utmost respect for Dr. Raina and all the professors who dedicate their time to the success of students and others around them. Without the faculty at Mount Saint Mary, I would not be where I am today.”