Muhammad (Mo) Yahya Patel is a lead security engineer and a member of Check Point’s Office of the CTO. Before joining Check Point, Mo worked as a security consultant, designing and implementing security solutions for private and public sector organisations like the UK’s National Health Service. As a global evangelist, he often shares his insights and perspectives on cyber threats and criminals with the media.
What does a day in the life of a Presales Engineer and Evangelist look like?
My day isn’t what it used to be! Nowadays it starts with getting my baby ready for the day ahead. At the same time, I’m scanning the newsfeeds, X, and threat intelligence pages to keep myself abreast of any latest developments in cybersecurity and any major cyberattacks globally, including the UK.
In presales, I keep customers and peers informed of how we can deliver better value for our customers using Check Point solutions, and there’s nothing better than real-world examples. As a Check Point evangelist, I also need to be ready to discuss and give my expert views to the media should the opportunity arise. No day is the same and I wear many hats, from training customers and partners on how to use our technology to delivering demos on how solutions can solve problems for an organization and help strengthen their security posture.
Presales also includes content creation, whether it’s videos or guides. I work on developing cyber strategies and looking at the holistic architecture to help support broader organizational strategies. The list goes on…
As an evangelist, I engage in various functions, serving as a global spokesperson by interacting with the media, creating thought leadership content, and assisting in major cyber incidents. I collaborate with academia and institutions to educate the next generation of cyber professionals, from mentoring, career talks to presentations on the real world of cybersecurity. Sharing Check Point research and innovation is an important part of the role as well.
What’s it like working with customers?
Working with customers and partners is something that I thoroughly enjoy! Having been a Check Point customer in the past and working for a partner before joining Check Point, I know exactly what I can bring to the table. Our customers have a difficult job on their hands when it comes to cybersecurity. There is no quick fix or a magic wand to wave and the constant change of threats and attacks means customers rely on me to bring my A-game and expertise to every discussion. Each customer has unique needs, and this gives me the opportunity to be involved in many different projects.
What’s your proudest work accomplishment?
There are several, but if I had to narrow it down, my proudest work achievement is making it to the first group of 2021 EMEA Top Achievers. Winning a trip to Dubai with my wife was fantastic, and we topped it off by staying at The Ritz Carlton Dubai! I have many SE awards, but the Distinguished Evangelist of 2023 award was a great accomplishment. Lastly, I made it into a Forbes article so I cannot go without mentioning this.
What part of your role is most rewarding?
Playing a role in society to help secure businesses is meaningful to me – it means protecting everything we rely on in today’s world. Knowing I have a hand in helping organizations improve their security posture day in and day out is highly rewarding. As an evangelist, it’s also rewarding to educate and advise the general public on what they can do protect themselves from cybercriminals.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I’m a foodie and I like to travel; these are two things that keep me happy. I like to eat food, not cook. Trying different flavors and cuisines is something that I very much enjoy and I definitely have a sweet tooth, so you know how to treat me! Travel-wise, my last road trip was from the UK to Monaco, passing through France, Switzerland, and Italy. One of the most thrilling road trips was visiting the country of Oman, enjoying the culture and seeing the natural wonders.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering a career in cybersecurity?
Learn the fundamentals well – walk before you can run. A solid networking foundation sets the foundation well for most roles in cybersecurity; don’t skip past this stage and miss this opportunity. Secondly, there are so many different roles aside from penetration testing and SOC analyst, so don’t shoehorn yourself down these two paths. There are some great career options that the the UK Cybersecurity Council has done a good job of highlighting. Finally, having the passion to drive forward and continuously keep on top of the evolving threats will help you succeed in your career.
To learn more about working at Check Point and join Mo in securing the world, visit our Careers page.