Billy Rios
QED Secure Solutions
Portland, OR USA
"Pick those places that you love and you’re most curious about, and just go for it!"
Career Roadmap
Billy's work combines: Technology, Business, and Problem Solving
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Like many others, I've experienced doubt in times of struggle on my journey. I sometimes joke that when I was starting out, if you were a betting person, you wouldn't have bet on me. Now I've built a great career in cybersecurity and am running a successful company, but I still experience struggle and loss. That's okay. It's okay to have those moments. It's okay to lose every once in a while. It's easy to question if you're the only one that this is happening to—just know that you're not.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Business and Information Systems
University of Washington
Graduate Degree
Information Systems
Hawaii Pacific University
Graduate Degree
Business Administration and Management
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Graduate Degree
Military Operational Arts and Sciences
Air University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Co-Founder:
Bachelor's Degree: Cybersecurity
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
When I was growing up, cybersecurity wasn’t its own field of study yet but I still dabbled in it, tinkering with things, exploring networks, and breaking into video games.
2.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in business and information systems from the University of Washington, followed by a master’s degree in information systems from Hawaii Pacific University.
3.
I also earned my MBA from Texas A&M University as well as a master’s degree in military operational arts and sciences from Air University.
4.
I’ve built my career in cybersecurity working for a variety of organizations, including the government, the military, Microsoft, and Google.
5.
I eventually started my own cybersecurity company, which taught me a lot about how to run a business—the company was ultimately acquired.
6.
I co-founded a second cybersecurity company, QED Secure Solutions, and have been here since.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
I'm struggling and I'm the only one that this is happening to.
How I responded:
Like many others, I've experienced doubt in times of struggle on my journey. I sometimes joke that when I was starting out, if you were a betting person, you wouldn't have bet on me. Now I've built a great career in cybersecurity and am running a successful company, but I still experience struggle and loss. That's okay. It's okay to have those moments. It's okay to lose every once in a while. It's easy to question if you're the only one that this is happening to—just know that you're not.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
When transitioning out of the military, I said no when asked if I'd need help. I didn't have the introspection to fully realize the effects it had on me. I brushed it off and made a joke. I encourage others to take the help that's offered.