“You need to go back to the basics and solidify your foundational knowledge in technology” - An Interview With Eng. Mohammad Khreesha by CyberTalents
In an exclusive interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Eng. Mohammad Khreesha, a prominent figure in the cybersecurity realm. As Senior Cybersecurity Director and the founder of Technawi – a valuable resource for IT and cybersecurity training and consulting.
Mr. Khreesha brings a wealth of expertise not just in technical defenses, but also in the crucial realms of mentorship, designing effective courses, and fostering continuous professional development for the cybersecurity workforce. This interview offers an invaluable look into his approach to building robust talent within the digital security landscape.
Interview
CyberTalents: We're incredibly pleased to welcome you, Mr. Khreesha! To start, we'd love for you to introduce yourself to our audience.
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: I have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and a Master's degree in Cybersecurity from a British university. I started my career with 18 years in development. After that, I spent nine years working for a government agency. Three years ago, I moved to an Arab country, and I'm currently working with a group of companies that specialize in digital transformation.
CyberTalents: Can you tell us more about the beginning of your journey in the field of cybersecurity training?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: During my university years, I discovered a passion for teaching, often offering free programming courses to students between classes. This led me to work with several training companies in Jordan, solidifying my interest in education and knowledge sharing.
In 2014, while at university, I met a Jordanian and a Moroccan student. I proposed the idea of establishing an Arabic technical website. At the time, there was a noticeable gap in organized, Arabic-language content, particularly for cybersecurity and programming topics like Python and Linux…etc. I began by creating video tutorials and articles, launching a YouTube channel and the Technawi website to host this Arabic content. This is how Technawi came to be.
CyberTalents: What do you believe is the most critical skill for a cybersecurity professional to possess, and how would you aim to instill that in your students?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: You must have a clear roadmap. You need to go back to the basics and solidify your foundational knowledge in technology. This means focusing on the fundamentals of programming, operating systems, and networking to support your career progression.
Beyond theory, you need to emphasize practical application. It's crucial for your training to incorporate real-world scenarios rather than just theoretical concepts. For example, you should present a specific topic, explain it thoroughly, and then follow up with relevant scenarios. It's also vital to learn how to integrate these practical scenarios to ensure a deep understanding of the theoretical principles.
CyberTalents: What are the biggest challenges you face in training students or employees?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: One of the biggest hurdles I encounter is that students often prioritize hands-on training without realizing that a solid theoretical foundation is essential for truly grasping the practical aspects. Additionally, there's a significant shortage of both guidance and quality Arabic content in the field of cybersecurity.
CyberTalents: In your opinion, what is the reason why trainees, as you mentioned, are more eager to learn practical things than to acquire theoretical knowledge?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: I've observed a few key reasons why some trainees tend to rush through their learning. Often, it's driven by a desire to emulate or compete with successful individuals, especially those with prominent YouTube channels or established careers in cybersecurity. They see someone who's achieved significant recognition and want to reach that level quickly.
Another strong motivator is the desire for faster career progression and financial independence. Trainees are eager to secure a job to build their lives sooner.
Finally, a significant factor is the lack of awareness and proper guidance. Many young people might know what they want to achieve, but they often focus solely on the "end result" or the public persona of a successful professional. They might not realize the importance of covering all foundational aspects thoroughly and giving each area its due attention, instead just wanting to replicate the visible success of someone who's already established in the field.
CyberTalents: How do you deal with the different technical backgrounds of the participants?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: I always emphasize starting with the fundamentals, especially for those with no prior IT experience. That's why I created a YouTube channel, offering free content. This is particularly beneficial in the Arab region, where economic factors can often hinder a trainee's access to quality cybersecurity education. My goal is to empower students to innovate by providing completely free videos and practical scenarios.
CyberTalents: Are there any changes you need to make when creating a course specifically for the Middle East? And what are these changes?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: The specific adjustments I make to a course are highly dependent on its subject matter. For courses focusing on laws and governance, it's crucial that I, as the trainer, have a deep understanding of the country's specific legal framework. The course content must also be compatible with a broad range of applicable laws.
When delivering these courses, I prioritize covering the relevant national laws. Furthermore, most of the content and scenarios I present are tailored to reflect the real-world situations and contexts prevalent in the trainee's country.
CyberTalents: What significant contributions has Technawi made to the landscape of cybersecurity education in the Middle East?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: I think the best way to understand what Technawi brought to the table isn't by me talking about it, but by looking at what our followers say. Many people who engaged with our content, even if they didn't take a formal course, found success and attributed it to Technawi.
Technawi really made its mark by organizing and providing high-quality Arabic content in cybersecurity for over 11 years. We launched at a time when there were very few, if any, structured resources in Arabic. Of course, now there are other good initiatives, but Technawy was a pioneer in filling that crucial gap.
CyberTalents: What are your thoughts on the impact of AI on cybersecurity training?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: I see AI as a positive accelerator in cybersecurity training when used correctly. For example, it could allow me to develop an entire training module in a week, a task that might otherwise take two months without AI.
AI plays a crucial role in content creation, but here's where training expertise is key. A trainer must be an expert to effectively leverage AI for generating high-quality and relevant content, ensuring accuracy and avoiding errors. This is because AI still requires us to meticulously review and correct its output every time.
CyberTalents: what specific cybersecurity courses or skill sets do you anticipate will be most sought after in the job market within the next three years?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: I anticipate that cybersecurity courses focused on artificial intelligence will be particularly in demand over the next three years. Specifically, areas like AI Security Automation and securing AI systems will likely see significant growth in demand.
CyberTalents: What trainee characteristic brings you the most satisfaction as a trainer?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: What truly brings me joy as a trainer is when a trainee isn't shy and asks a lot of questions. Often, shyness prevents students from seeking clarification. To counter this, I make a point of asking questions myself during training sessions. This encourages them to speak up and helps them understand that no question is "obvious" or unimportant – every question is valuable during our discussions.
I'm also incredibly pleased to see a trainee who exhibits a genuine passion for learning and knowledge. When they show a love for independent research and a desire to "dive deep," it's immensely beneficial. This eagerness often leads them to approach me with their findings and further questions, fostering a rich, collaborative learning environment.
CyberTalents: Lastly Eng Khreesha, Can you share a key piece of advice you consistently give to aspiring professionals in this field, and also to those already working within it?
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: My consistent advice to anyone in this field, from newcomers to seasoned professionals, always begins with: master the basics.
Beyond that, I cannot stress enough the importance of humility. Being humble allows for continuous growth and elevates you in your journey. This also extends to how you engage in discussions: be polite and avoid aggression.
I've often observed an unfortunate tendency in cybersecurity and IT where individuals become confrontational when they encounter incorrect information. I sincerely hope that young people cultivate strong discussion ethics and avoid contentious arguments. It's crucial to remember that no one possesses complete knowledge.
CyberTalents: As we wrap up this meeting, I want to sincerely thank you for your time. We truly enjoyed this interview and the rich conversation we had with you Mr Khreesha.
Eng. Mohammad Khreesha: Thank you for the interview CyberTalents!