In our staff spotlights, we get up close and personal with our amazing Sophos team members.
Up next is Sumit, Senior Technical Support Engineer and FY23 Sophos Team 10 Member.
Let's Talk Career
1. Can you tell us about your role at Sophos?
I am a Senior Technical Support Engineer L1 (ESG). My primary responsibility is to provide high-level technical support to our enterprise customers. This involves troubleshooting complex technical issues related to our security products and ensuring timely resolutions to minimize any impact on their operations.
2. How did you get to the role you're in now?
I started my career at Sophos in January 2021 as a Technical Support L1 Engineer. With my dedication and hard work, I laddered up to where I am now.
I was a part of the inaugural Sophos Team 10 Support Team, which helped me realize my capabilities and how I could better assist customers. This led to a promotion to a senior position. Since then, there have been ups and downs, but my positive attitude and dedication have kept me going.
3. What inspired you to get into IT and security?
I have been playing computer games since I was a kid. At that time, I didn’t know what my computer could do beyond playing games or listening to music. I became more curious and started learning more about computer capabilities. So, when I was in high school, I started my training in CEH and CCNA.
As I delved deeper, I became more aware of the growing importance of cybersecurity. I realized that a career in this field would allow me to work with cutting-edge technologies and would give me the opportunity to continuously learn and adapt to new challenges.
4. What do you enjoy most about your role?
This role provides many learning opportunities about new environments, applications, issues, and troubleshooting. The most enjoyable part is the everyday challenges and opportunities to resolve issues.
It always fascinates me to know that I will be learning something new today – and this keeps me going. Plus, I have the best time with colleagues when we laugh, learn, and share knowledge.
5. What's something you've done during your time in the organization that you're proud of?
Being part of the inaugural Sophos Team 10 in FY23. I couldn’t have achieved this without my team – their dedication and guidance helped me throughout. It has been an honor to be recognized for my hard work.
6. Describe a typical day in your Sophos life.
My morning starts with funny GIF greetings in Teams, and it couldn’t be better. The real work starts when I go through my emails for new and pending cases.
I chat with colleagues daily about work and non-work-related things to keep myself engaged and socially active. It’s always good to know what’s going on around the world and be in touch with my colleagues.
7. What's the best advice you can give to someone who has just started their career?
With cybersecurity evolving rapidly, my best advice for someone is to never stop learning and stay resilient. Sometimes, you may want to give up, but staying positive and motivated will help you get through.
8. What would you do (for a career) if you weren't doing this?
I would be a chef – preparing meals and experimenting with new recipes.
Role in the Sophos Community
9. What's a fun fact about you that you could share with the Community?
I am an escape room enthusiast. I love solving puzzles and working with my friends as a team to escape within a given time limit. It’s a fun activity that also enhances my ability to work under pressure. I sometimes book every room in a day.
10. Have you posted any Recommended Read guides on the Community?
I haven’t had a chance to, but hopefully, I will in the future.
Who is Sumit outside of work?
11. What are your hobbies outside of work?
I like playing billiards, camping, and going on long drives. I love being close to nature, as it always impresses me with its beauty.
12. What’s something you’re planning on doing in the next year that you’ve never done?
I’m planning to attend the Tomorrowland Music Festival in Belgium. I’m a fan of music festivals, but I have never been to the origin of Tomorrowland.
13. What's one thing you're really good at?
I am good at cooking—at least, my friends and family say so. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes and cooking techniques, switching between traditional and modern cooking.
14. If you could learn how to do anything, what would it be?
I love the film series The Fast and the Furious and would love to learn about drifting.
15. Tell us about where you live (and your journey getting there - if applicable).
I recently moved to Fort St. John, a small town in British Columbia, Canada. It’s peaceful and free from the city’s hustle and bustle, exactly how I want to live.
But before that, I’m from a beautiful city called Chandigarh, India. I completed school and worked there for some time, but I was always curious to study further.
Fortunately, I was given a chance to move to Canada and enrolled in a college here. Life has been very hard since, but staying calm and positive helped me through the day-to-day hurdles. I made friends along the way, started going out, and enjoyed every bit of life. Finally, after a tiring job hunt, I got a job in Sophos, and never looked back since.
It was a first step towards my goal, and here I am, over three years later, in Sophos, and I am happy.
16. What's your favorite thing about where you live?
My favorite thing is that I often see wildlife during my morning run. Although I fear going near them, I feel relaxed while looking at them for some time.
17. Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I’m very spontaneous when it comes to trips. I’ve been on many unplanned adventures with family and friends.
18. What’s your favorite line from a movie?
“The seas may be rough, but I am the captain! No matter how difficult, I will always prevail.” - Jhonny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean.
This has a deep meaning and provides real motivation.
19. If you had a superpower, what would it be?
It would be telekinesis. I’m lazy sometimes and don’t wish to get out of bed. It would be nice to move things with my mind.