From Nursing to Networks: Zach Cambre’s Leadership Journey in Cybersecurity
In line with Echelon’s value of People with Personality, we are excited to continue our new initiative under our content umbrella designed to spotlight our incredible team members, called Cybersecurity Champions. Through these monthly features, we aim to shine a light on the amazing individuals who drive our success and embody the spirit of our company.
In this interview, Zach Cambre, Risk Advisory Cybersecurity Manager at Echelon, shares his unique journey into cybersecurity and what drives his success. With a background in nursing and a growing interest in technology, Zach has thrived in the fast-paced world of cybersecurity consulting. He talks about how the variety of his work keeps him engaged, the importance of tackling challenges one step at a time, and the value of mentorship. Read on to learn more about Zach’s inspiring career and the insights he’s gained along the way.
Q: What brought you to Echelon? What got you interested in cybersecurity?
ZC: At the time, I was laid off and exploring my next steps when I found the opportunity at Echelon. I was drawn to the team after meeting with several employees and was interested in returning to a broader GRC role.
My path into cybersecurity was unexpected. I originally studied nursing but realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. After switching to IT, I took an audit class where a guest speaker sparked my interest in cybersecurity. That very same speaker eventually had an internship offering of their own in which I applied, got the internship, and soon developed a strong passion for the field. From there, I began to focus more on cybersecurity, especially in healthcare, where I saw an opportunity to help improve security programs that directly affect patient safety and data.
Q: What does a career in cybersecurity consulting look like? Is there anything you’ve learned on the job that school didn’t prepare you for?
ZC: I’d say cybersecurity consulting aligns with how we view tech today—every day is different. There are new threats and new technologies constantly coming out, and with those new technologies, we have to continuously improve our protection of those assets. So, every day brings something new. It's fast-paced.
As for what school didn’t prepare me for, I came into the job with more of a mindset that there would be set responsibilities every day. Don’t get me wrong, there is a baseline to it, but the nature of client needs and ever-changing technology means the work is dynamic. I didn’t realize how fast-paced and ever-evolving the field would be until I got into it.
Q: What’s the best career advice you've received, and how have you applied it to your journey?
ZC: I’m not sure if I’d call it career advice, and I don’t remember who told me this or when I started following it, but it’s more of a saying: "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
In my work, this saying really resonates. With the constant changes—new technologies, evolving client needs, and even existing challenges—I’ve learned that instead of getting overwhelmed by everything on my plate, it’s better to break things down and tackle them one step at a time. By doing so, it makes the workload more manageable and less daunting. Plus, it gives you a sense of progress. Even if it’s just one small step, you’re still moving forward, and that can feel rewarding— almost like a little boost of serotonin.
So, if I had to choose one piece of advice to live by, it’s this one.
Q: What aspects of cybersecurity consulting keep you engaged and excited, even when facing challenges?
ZC: What keeps me engaged in cybersecurity consulting is the variety—working with different clients, learning about their unique environments, and hearing their stories. As someone who is more extroverted, I'm always happy to talk to people. The opportunity to connect with new individuals and gain different perspectives makes the work exciting, even when facing challenges.
Q: When you're not working, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Are there any hobbies or interests you're particularly passionate about?
ZC: When I'm not working, I enjoy anything nerdy. I like tabletop games and video games—just all the typical nerd stuff. Lately, I've also been getting into poker. I'm not claiming to be great at it, but it's been a lot of fun. Board games are definitely a big passion of mine, and anything within that genre interests me.
In terms of travel, I try to fit in at least one big trip a year. I've been to places like Belize, Japan, and traveled across the U.S. We’re planning a trip to Switzerland in six months. As for my favorite place, Japan is by far the best. The people are incredibly nice, the weather is fantastic, and the country is beautiful, whether you're in the city or enjoying nature. The culture is fascinating as well. I highly recommend it—10 out of 10!
Q: Do you have any resources you go to that have helped you succeed in your role?
ZC: Yes, I do. I wouldn't say there are specific reading or listening resources I rely on. For me, the biggest resource has been the people around me. Three notable ones are Ross Flynn and Amy Joe Fisher, both former managers at Echelon, and Blaine Steffens, who was a senior consultant at my first company.
I would recommend that anyone entering cybersecurity seek out solid mentors, build relationships with them, and leverage their networks to meet new people and learn new things.
Q: What does being a Cybersecurity Champion mean to you?
ZC: A cybersecurity champion is someone who not only has expertise in the field but also takes the initiative to move forward while helping peers along the way. It's a balance of technical knowledge, leadership, and people skills—someone who can both lead and share their knowledge with others.