The latest entry in our Best Advice Q&A series comes from Mark Hjelle, chief executive officer at Protos Security. He reveals the best advice he’s ever gotten, offers tips for those who are looking to move up in the security industry and points to his career inspiration.
Security Sales & Integration: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Mark Hjelle: The best advice I ever received came from my father. He told me to always be a lifelong learner.
That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career. Stay curious. Keep asking questions. Be open to learning something new every day.
Industries evolve, technology changes and the risks organizations face are constantly shifting. The people who continue learning are the ones who stay relevant and make the biggest impact.
For me, that mindset has always been about growth, both personally and professionally.
SSI: What advice would you give to those looking to achieve success in the security industry?
Hjelle: Success in the security industry comes down to one word: trust.
This is a business built on protecting people, assets and operations. Clients rely on you to deliver exactly what you promise.
The most important thing you can do is follow through on your commitments every single time. Do what you say you’re going to do. Be accountable when challenges arise.
When you consistently honor your commitments, you build trust. And in this industry, trust is what ultimately drives long-term success.
SSI: If you could point to one person in the security industry and tell up-and-comers to listen to them, who would it be and why?
Hjelle: The security industry is evolving too quickly to rely on a single voice.
The best professionals listen broadly. They pay attention to people on the front lines who are dealing with emerging threats, changing technology and new approaches to protecting organizations.
That includes security leaders inside client organizations, innovators building new security technologies and experts in law enforcement and national security.
If you’re early in your career, the key is to stay curious and listen carefully to those perspectives. When you combine those insights with your own experience, you develop the judgment that makes great security leaders.
Click here to check out all entries in SSI’s Best Advice series!
