From childhood curiosity about computers to becoming a cybersecurity professional. How I went from high school workshops to leading IT operations in Canada.
Allen Albino
IT Support Specialist
My journey in IT started with a childhood fascination with computers. There was something magical about how they worked—the mystery of what happened behind the screen. This curiosity grew stronger as I got older, eventually leading me to choose Computer Science in high school.
During those formative years, I attended workshops in ethical hacking, IoT, robotics, and emerging technologies. These weren't just abstract lessons; they were hands-on experiences that solidified my passion for cybersecurity and gave me early exposure to the field I wanted to pursue.
After high school, I attended the Bachelor of Computer Applications program at Koshys Group of Institutions under Bangalore North University. This program was transformative. I developed a strong foundation in Linux systems administration, cloud computing, and cybersecurity fundamentals—skills that would become essential in my professional career.
The curriculum taught me not just theory, but practical skills I could apply immediately. Whether it was configuring systems, understanding networking protocols, or implementing security best practices, I was building the technical competencies that would define my career path.
After graduation, I worked as an IT Lab Instructor, managing IT infrastructure on a daily basis. My responsibilities included:
This role was crucial for my development. I wasn't just learning theory anymore—I was solving real problems, supporting real people, and managing real systems. Every day brought new challenges that taught me how to troubleshoot, communicate, and take ownership of technical problems.
When I moved to Canada, I knew I wanted to deepen my expertise in cybersecurity and IT management. I completed postgraduate programs at NBCC in two areas:
During this time, I gained hands-on, practical experience with:
Academic projects and internship work—particularly at Atlantic Autocold—gave me real-world exposure to conducting security assessments, testing systems for vulnerabilities, and identifying risks that could impact the business.
Today, I work as an IT Support Specialist at Atlantic Industries Limited, where I support:
My role is multifaceted. I'm responsible for endpoint management, ensuring system security, supporting users, and continuously improving IT processes. While I wear many hats, there's a common thread: reducing risk, hardening infrastructure, and ensuring reliable technology for the business and its users.
My goal is to continue growing across multiple areas:
I'm committed to building secure and reliable technology environments where businesses and users can trust their systems. The field of IT is constantly evolving—new threats emerge, new technologies are adopted, and the security landscape shifts. I'm excited to continue learning, growing, and contributing to this dynamic field.
Every experience—from those early childhood workshops to managing enterprise systems today—has shaped my perspective. I'm not just working in IT; I'm continuously building expertise, solving problems, and making a tangible difference in how organizations secure and operate their technology.