40 under 40: Ethan Reeley, senior security project manager, Microsoft

YARMOUTH, Maine—Ethan Reeley, 25, is a senior security project manager at Microsoft, a technology/software development company based out of Redmond, Wash. Find out what inspired him to pursue a career in the security industry, what being a "40 under 40" winner means to him, what appeals to him about the security industry, and more. 

SSN: Describe your roles, duties, and tenure at your current job. 

REELEY: As a senior security project manager, I deliver hyperscale datacenter security systems across the East Coast as well as supporting project delivery in Latin America. Additionally, I support program development with the project delivery team in North and South America. My day-to-day responsibilities include managing a portfolio of in-flight projects across several metropolitan areas, looking future forward to provide insight into projects in the design phase, and supporting operations partners in our production environments.

SSN: What inspired you to pursue a career in the security industry?

REELEY: My grandfather, father, and stepmom all have worked in the security industry, so it only seemed natural that I would give it a shot. As a teenager, I worked summers in the warehouse of the company my father worked for, and after graduating high school, the summer job became a full-time position as an assistant technician in the field. I became obsessed with improving myself as a leader and learning from others more experienced than me. Over time, my leadership skills, attention to detail, and growth mindset led to a role managing projects.

SSN: What does being named a winner of SSN's 40 under 40 mean to you?

REELEY: I'm honored to have my hard work and ambition recognized, as well as to be given visibility across the global security industry. This is an exciting opportunity to network with security experts that I may not have had the opportunity otherwise! Additionally, I've had the opportunity to be a mentor for peers and up and coming security professionals and look forward to giving back to the industry further.

SSN: As a young leader, what appeals to you about the security industry?

REELEY: The security industry has always been exciting and impactful to me. It’s a global industry, and I've had the opportunity to work across three different continents. Exposure to working within different cultures has guided my evolution into a dynamic leader and heightened my inclusivity skill set. Additionally, with a wide range of career paths in the industry, I've been able to work in both technical roles and management roles increasing the opportunity for career advancement.

SSN: With the hiring, recruitment and retention challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, how can the security industry engage young talent?

REELEY: With the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced to hiring and retention, there are a few things that I feel are important in engaging young talent. It's vital that the culture and perception of the security industry being masculine dominate change by recruiting talent from diverse backgrounds. Highlighting the crucial role that security plays in our society by leveraging social media platforms will bring further engagement with young talent. Mentorship and networking opportunities will also help encourage young talent to join the industry and begin advancing their careers.