Skip to main content

Dominic Vogel

Founder and Chief Strategist

Cyber.sc

Created On: September 9, 2020
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:

Learn About My Career

Dominic Vogel is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Cyber.sc.

I was born/grew up in: I was born in Vancouver, B.C. but grew up in Port Coquitlam, B.C.

I now live in: Port Coquitlam, B.C.

I completed my training/education at: I completed a BSc in Computing Science at Simon Fraser University.

As the co-owner of my own business, I consider my role to be that of the “chief relationship officer” of our business. Our business, Cyber.sc, provides cyber risk assessment, cyber security and solutions to small and medium sized businesses. I spend much of my day making connections with existing and potential clients. We are a small business so I get to wear many hats. In addition to relationship building, I’m also involved in marketing our services and developing proposals to other businesses for how we can help them with their cyber security needs.

By the time I was in late high school, I knew I wanted to work with computers.  My dad was a high school computers teacher so I guess that had an influence. Late in grade 12, I stumbled across magazine on information security. I read it cover to cover and I was hooked! I decided then that this was the field for me. I still have that magazine somewhere.

My career path has changed from what I had thought it would be. My original plan was to work in the corporate world and “climb the corporate ladder”. I focused on this at first. I started in entry-level positions, learned more and developed my skills. Over the years, I moved to more advanced positions in different sectors (e.g., financial services, transportation, government, and telecommunications). In each position, my skills and knowledge grew. I was at the pinnacle of my career but I felt unfulfilled; I was unhappy. As a result, I left a job with a guaranteed pay cheque and started my own business. I really had no experience with starting a business but I learned as I when along. I certainly was not expecting to own my own business when I started out!  Check my LinkedIn profile for more information.

Relationship building is my jam! I love doing this every day. I try to connect with one new person each day either in person or through social media such as LinkedIn. I like to engage with them and have meaningful conversations. During the 2020 pandemic, I have built many great relationships and found new partners or clients. I love helping people!

I find it very fulfilling when I am able to provide practical guidance and advice to a small or mid-sized business this is struggling with cyber risk. By using our services, they don’t need to have a fulltime person on staff. By helping them maintain the security of their webpage, servers and computers, we are helping them build their business.  When I see our clients grow and thrive without having to worry about cyber risk it is fulfilling. When the CEO of a company tells me, they are comfortable and not worried about risk so they can grow their business that is a great feeling!

Outside of work, I focus all my energy on my family. I love spending time with my children and wife. They are everything to me!

If you are interested in cybersecurity (or any career related to computers), it is important to develop your technical skills. Don’t shy away because you think it might be beyond your ability. There are many different careers available in this field. Some require advanced technical skills while others may not. Having good foundation skills in communication, writing, teamwork, problem solving, etc. is always a benefit. This field has great job security. I’m a big supporter of increasing diversity in this industry (gender diversity, ethnic diversity, thought diversity). It is a good thing for this industry to have people who are not coming from an “IT route”.

What I do at work

As the co-owner of my own business, I consider my role to be that of the “chief relationship officer” of our business. Our business, Cyber.sc, provides cyber risk assessment, cyber security and solutions to small and medium sized businesses. I spend much of my day making connections with existing and potential clients. We are a small business so I get to wear many hats. In addition to relationship building, I’m also involved in marketing our services and developing proposals to other businesses for how we can help them with their cyber security needs.

My career path is

By the time I was in late high school, I knew I wanted to work with computers.  My dad was a high school computers teacher so I guess that had an influence. Late in grade 12, I stumbled across magazine on information security. I read it cover to cover and I was hooked! I decided then that this was the field for me. I still have that magazine somewhere.

My career path has changed from what I had thought it would be. My original plan was to work in the corporate world and “climb the corporate ladder”. I focused on this at first. I started in entry-level positions, learned more and developed my skills. Over the years, I moved to more advanced positions in different sectors (e.g., financial services, transportation, government, and telecommunications). In each position, my skills and knowledge grew. I was at the pinnacle of my career but I felt unfulfilled; I was unhappy. As a result, I left a job with a guaranteed pay cheque and started my own business. I really had no experience with starting a business but I learned as I when along. I certainly was not expecting to own my own business when I started out!  Check my LinkedIn profile for more information.

I am motivated by

Relationship building is my jam! I love doing this every day. I try to connect with one new person each day either in person or through social media such as LinkedIn. I like to engage with them and have meaningful conversations. During the 2020 pandemic, I have built many great relationships and found new partners or clients. I love helping people!

How I affect peoples’ lives

I find it very fulfilling when I am able to provide practical guidance and advice to a small or mid-sized business this is struggling with cyber risk. By using our services, they don’t need to have a fulltime person on staff. By helping them maintain the security of their webpage, servers and computers, we are helping them build their business.  When I see our clients grow and thrive without having to worry about cyber risk it is fulfilling. When the CEO of a company tells me, they are comfortable and not worried about risk so they can grow their business that is a great feeling!

Outside of work I

Outside of work, I focus all my energy on my family. I love spending time with my children and wife. They are everything to me!

My advice to others

If you are interested in cybersecurity (or any career related to computers), it is important to develop your technical skills. Don’t shy away because you think it might be beyond your ability. There are many different careers available in this field. Some require advanced technical skills while others may not. Having good foundation skills in communication, writing, teamwork, problem solving, etc. is always a benefit. This field has great job security. I’m a big supporter of increasing diversity in this industry (gender diversity, ethnic diversity, thought diversity). It is a good thing for this industry to have people who are not coming from an “IT route”.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Computer Science
  • Drama
  • History
  • Literature and Language Arts
  • Science
  • Technology

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Enjoyed doing things on my own
  • Liked helping people
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Played on a sports team
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Liked reading
  • Felt at home in the outside, natural environment
  • Played video games
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Always knew what I wanted to do
  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.