From St. John’s to Cybersecurity Success: Sam Daniele’s Johnnies Journey

Drawn to St. John’s University’s cutting-edge facilities, growing Cyber Security Systems program, and robust alumni network—which includes his late father—Sam Daniele ’22CCPS found the perfect environment to develop his skills. Now, with a successful career in cybersecurity and a passion for giving back to his Brooklyn, NY, community, he reflects on how St. John’s shaped his future.

“I went on a tour of the Sanford Family Cyber Security Lab and was impressed with the educational environment where the classes for the program are taught,” he recalled. Housed within The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, the lab allows students to explore cybersecurity concerns such as intrusion detection, vulnerability mitigation, network perimeter defense, incident response, network forensics investigation, and malware analysis. 

“It is a great field that allows you to succeed when you are passionate about it and set yourself apart from your peers,” he said. “I’ve seen more students choose cybersecurity as their major at St. John’s.”

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for information security analysts is expected to grow by 33 percent through 2033, echoing Mr. Daniele’s assertion. 

St. John’s alumni network of more than 200,000 alumni played a role in his decision to attend, as did the opportunity to follow his father’s  footsteps, also named Sam (Daniele ’84SVC). “My father passed away before I was born, so attending St. John’s certainly impacted me choosing the school,” he explained. “I also knew those alumni connections would be beneficial when it came time to looking for full-time positions after graduating.” 

He added, “St. John’s was also close enough to my home in Brooklyn, so I would still be able to go some weekends and see my family and friends.”

Like most St. John’s students, he received financial aid from the University and was awarded several scholarships, including the Campus Ministry St. Vincent de Paul Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, Catholic High School Scholarship, and St. John’s Legacy Award. “I am grateful that the school was generous in the scholarship money provided to me,” he said. 

Internships are an integral part of the St. John’s experience. With the help of Sajed Naseem, Assistant Adjunct Professor, The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, and Chief Information Security Officer for the New Jersey Courts, Mr. Daniele was able to secure an internship within the New Jersey Courts System as an Information Security Analyst Intern. “I worked with the security team monitoring the Judiciary’s Security Information and Event Management system and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response incident response ticketing system for potential threats/vulnerabilities.”

That experience helped prepare him for a career as a security analyst for Gen II Fund Services, LLC, a leading independent private equity fund administrator. “I work closely with the chief information security officer to develop and implement security policies, procedures, and protocols to protect the company’s assets and data,” he said, noting that St. John’s prepared him for the position by teaching him the security tools and concepts that a security analyst works with daily. “The cybersecurity laboratory was one of my favorite parts about the program because I got experience with ethical hacking and vulnerability remediation.”

Inspired by the Vincentian ideals he absorbed as a St. John’s student, Mr. Daniele volunteers as a community organizer in Marine Park, Brooklyn, where he still lives. “I started an organization for young adults ages 18–32 in south Brooklyn called the Marine Park Young Adults Association,” he said. “It provides them a platform to make meaningful connections through engaging activities and community service projects.” 

The association’s goal is to address the lack of social and recreational opportunities for young adults in south Brooklyn by organizing  various events including movie and game nights, cleanup projects, and clothing drives, and partnering with other community groups. 

Mr. Daniele’s journey from being a St. John’s student to a successful security analyst showcases the power of cutting-edge education, hands-on experience, and a robust alumni network. “I was lucky enough to be provided with a great internship opportunity and I had enough experience to get a full-time job in cybersecurity not too long after I graduated,” he said. “I will forever appreciate my time at St. John’s.”

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