Protecting Infrastructure: A CCO Grad’s Cybersecurity Path

When Adam Gamelin made the difficult decision to leave a career in federal law enforcement, he never imagined he’d become Vermont’s go-to cybersecurity expert. But today, as the state’s only Cybersecurity Advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), that’s exactly what he is—and his path started with a leap of faith and a degree from Champlain College Online. 

Taking a Leap into Cybersecurity 

Adam’s background was rooted in law enforcement. After serving with the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, an injury forced him to rethink his future. Without a lot of technical experience to speak of, and armed solely with curiosity, he turned to his undergraduate career counselor for advice. “She said, ‘You should try cybersecurity,’” Adam recalls. “I didn’t know anything about it, but I figured I’d give it a shot. So I enrolled at CCO and dove in.” What started as a shot in the dark quickly became a career-defining decision.

Learning to Speak the Language

As Adam progressed through CCO’s MS in Information Security program, he found himself gravitating toward threat intelligence. He became fascinated by nation-state cyber actors—how they operate and how to stop them.

“Champlain gave me a chance to find my niche. I was drawn to the intelligence side of the field—researching threats, understanding how actors move, and building strategies to counter them.”

And while technical knowledge was essential, Adam found that one of the most valuable skills he brought to the table was communication.

“Half of this job is just being able to talk to people, especially in small organizations where no one speaks ‘cyber.’ I came from a career where building trust was everything. Now I do the same thing, just in a different context.”

Protecting the Front Lines of Infrastructure

As Vermont’s sole CISA Cybersecurity Advisor, Adam works directly with critical infrastructure organizations, power utilities, hospitals, and local government agencies—to assess their cyber readiness, provide education, and respond to incidents.

“We’re not there to penalize anyone. We’re there to help. It’s our job to meet people where they are and help them understand why cybersecurity matters—and what they can do to improve it.” One of the most eye-opening aspects of a cybersecurity job? How underserved and under-resourced many small organizations are.

“These are people who may not even use a computer in their day-to-day. So I take these complex cybersecurity concepts and translate them into something meaningful for them. That’s where I can make the biggest impact.”

Champlain Online’s Lasting Impact

Looking back, Adam credits CCO not just with teaching him the technical foundations—but also with giving him the confidence to grow into a new identity.

“Without the degree, I’d be completely lost. The coursework was immediately relevant—even if I didn’t realize it at the time. Now that I’m doing the work, it all clicks.”

He also points to the accessibility and support of CCO’s faculty, especially Meg Daudelin. “She was incredible—super helpful, always there if I needed to talk through a career decision or just troubleshoot something tricky. I spent 18 hours on a single scripting assignment once. That was the moment I realized, ‘Okay, I can actually do this.’”

Advice for the Next Generation  

Considering a career in cybersecurity? Adam has a few pieces of advice that’ll give you a leg up.

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started—you just need to be curious and willing to learn. And don’t underestimate the value of soft skills. Knowing how to communicate, simplify, and connect with people is just as critical as any certification.”

As the cybersecurity field continues to grow, he sees a big shift coming—not just in tools and technologies, but in the types of professionals who will lead the way.

“There are plenty of people who can write code. What we really need are people who can take complex ideas and explain them clearly. That’s how we move the industry forward.”

Want to Start a Career in Cybersecurity?

Explore Champlain College Online’s MS in Cybersecurity Management or Cybersecurity Operations and find your path into one of the fastest-growing fields in the country.  

The Bigger Picture: A Growing Field with Real Opportunity

Adam’s journey reflects a larger trend in a field that continues to expand. As of 2023, there were nearly 175,000 cybersecurity jobs across the U.S., with a median salary of $124,904—and demand remains strong. In fact, there are over 2,500 cybersecurity job postings each month nationwide, with leading employers like Leidos, General Dynamics, and Deloitte all actively hiring.

What’s driving the demand for cybersecurity jobs? Organizations need professionals who not only understand the technical side of cybersecurity, but who can also communicate risks and solutions clearly—exactly the kind of skill set Champlain’s online program is designed to develop. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to grow within it, the cybersecurity landscape offers incredible potential for those ready to step up.

Where the Jobs Are: Cybersecurity’s Rise from Niche to Necessity  

From the uncertainty of the early 2000s to its role today in critical infrastructure, cybersecurity jobs have multiplied dramatically. This chart captures the industry’s incredible rise and the projected need for talent well into the next decade.

Two decades of cybersecurity job growth and future projections. Based on a national average, demand for cybersecurity professionals is at 187,360. Source: Lightcast (2024). Access the full report here.