Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) is still a relatively new field in cybersecurity, but the role CTI teams play in understanding, tracking, and deterring adversaries is critical for any organization. Learn what a day in the life of a CTI analyst looks like, and hear success stories from two senior analysts on Target’s Strategic CTI team.
About Derek Thomas
Derek Thomas is a senior information security analyst on Target’s Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) team in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. After graduating college, Derek joined the US Army as an active duty intelligence officer where he developed a passion for intelligence analysis. After the military he worked as a contractor in Washington D.C supporting the FBI Cyber Division as a cyber intelligence analyst by producing strategic written products and assisting with law enforcement’s pursuit of financially motivated cybercriminals. Derek has since earned the Network+, Security+, PMP, OSCP, and GIAC GPEN certifications along with his Master’s in homeland security from Penn State. He chose to join Target’s CTI team in March 2018 and currently lives in the suburbs of Minneapolis with his wife and golden retriever.
About Kelsey Helms
Kelsey Helms is a Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst with cybersecurity experience in multiple industries. She began her career as an engineer, working as a subject matter expert to secure telecom networks. After working to update legacy systems to safeguard users, Kelsey turned her attention to researching potential threats in the cyber landscape, leading her to join the threat intelligence community. Her work since then has concentrated on solution-focused research and trend analysis to help companies predict and prepare for attacks, and she has aided in the identification, arrest, and prosecution of cybercriminals. Kelsey currently works for Target’s Cyber Security team and has a BS in Computer Science from Oregon State.
