Senior Security Researcher
Protecting data and managing cyber risk are security priorities for businesses around the globe. As future risks emerge, the importance of cybersecurity will only grow. At Oracle, two new teams are rising to meet the challenge, headed by Cristina Cifuentes: Software Assurance and Application Security Tools.
We spoke with senior security researcher, Huseyn Huseynov, to hear how his research helps build a more secure cloud. Read on to find out why this is the career for him – and whether it could be for you.
Searching for knowledge
Huseyn has always enjoyed teaching and pooling knowledge. A natural-born researcher, he’s taught college courses on data structures and is working on a website to host his family’s recipes – all in the pursuit of shared knowledge. When he joined the Software Assurance team, Huseyn found a tribe that shares his passion for learning and growth.
“We have access to unlimited educational resources,” he enthuses. “I’m very lucky to work with a team of talented software security researchers who are constantly sharing their knowledge in a collaborative environment.”
Huseyn’s programming journey started in college, where he studied applied mathematics. “That’s when the idea that a small computer program can cause serious disruptions first attracted my interest,” he recalls.
Software development quickly became a favorite activity – and a career. His PhD research focused on developing anomaly-based intrusion detection systems to secure cloud-based environments from attack. Eventually, that love of research and problem-solving led Huseyn to us.
“When I heard about Oracle’s new Software Assurance team, I knew this would be an interesting project for me,” he shares. He saw the possibilities, and seized the opportunity.
Solving new security puzzles
Security researchers like Huseyn have to adapt quickly. Creating industry-leading software means building products with security in mind – and new threats are always emerging.
“Artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies are transforming industries, but they’ve also become a tool in the hands of adversaries,” Huseyn explains. “Being a security researcher means facing unknown issues and seeking answers to problems that haven’t been solved yet.” For him, those unsolved puzzles are the most interesting piece of the challenge.
As part of the new Software Assurance team, Huseyn is working to reduce security weaknesses in software products by researching different types of vulnerabilities and identifying potentially dangerous code patterns. That means carrying out manual source code analysis, using tools for static and dynamic analysis, and developing automated solutions to detect vulnerabilities.
“We have the resources to constantly learn and develop our skills, keeping ahead of the industrial progress in this field,” Huseyn tells us proudly. There’s a reason Oracle is the place to be for anyone interested in proactive approaches to cybersecurity.
Making a real difference
Huseyn’s research is helping to identify potential security issues therefore providing assurance for safety of customers data. Making a difference in these real-world settings matters a lot to him. “We’re helping to protect people’s livelihoods and privacy – that brings a great sense of satisfaction,” he shares.
Through his research into hidden vulnerabilities, Huseyn has discovered a whole new perspective on technology than the one he held as a developer. “The most exciting part of my work is looking at software through a different prism,” he reflects. How we design our products can help improve the security of businesses around the world.
If you’d like to help build a more secure cloud with us, Huseyn has some great advice: “Don’t be afraid of the unknown – instead spend time researching and trying to understand it.”
Are you ready to advance your cybersecurity career? Apply now and create the future with us.