Five minutes with Tom Slater

Here at The Missing Link, our people are the engine of our company. We’re immensely proud of their knowledge and expertise, which helps our clients achieve incredible things through IT transformation – but they’re so much more than their job description! In this series, we take a moment to sit down and discuss the weird, wacky, and wonderful parts of our team’s lives that make them who they are.   

Today, we’re chatting with Tom Slater, a Senior Security Analyst on our growing team in the UK. In his role, he’s responsible for ensuring the security of our clients' systems and networks. He’s only been with us a few months, but he is already knee deep working with the team and implementing new processes and technology to improve outcomes. So, let’s take five minutes to get to know Tom a little better. 

So, tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up and what were you like as a kid? 

I grew up in a small village called Holloway in Derbyshire, UK. As a kid, I was always playing in the local woods with friends, building dens and jumps for our mountain bikes. My dream job growing up was to be a professional downhill (DH) racer, but now you’re more likely to find me on a bike ride with my son. 

That sounds like a lot of fun! What was your first job and how did you get started in your career? 

My first paid job was delivering papers. It was a tough gig, but it taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. It normally took around 2 hours and I was paid £3.20 for the entire shift – thankfully, things have changed since then!  

After university, I started working in sales at an International Landrover parts dealer before spending a year in Australia. From there, I moved into IT management at a small start-up company, where I stayed for five years before transitioning into the cyber security space. I've worked for several companies as a security analyst, including Capgemini, FedEx, and Pearson, before joining the team here. 

That's quite a journey, Tom. What inspired you to pursue a career in cyber security, and what made you choose The Missing Link as your latest workplace? 

I've always been interested in technology and cyber security, and I found that my skills and experience were a good fit for the industry. I joined The Missing Link because of our welcoming culture and experienced team. I've already been working with some really knowledgeable people who have inspired me to keep learning. 

Good to hear you’ve got some inspiring team mates here! Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun? 

I've always enjoyed playing video games, from GoldenEye and Halo split screen with friends to Call of Duty, Battlefield, and Forza. I also love spending time with my family and going on bike rides with my eldest son. Living in a small village, we're lucky to have amazing views and a great community. 

That certainly sounds like a lot of fun – but what about fun with technology? What's your favorite app or tool that you use on a daily basis? 

Definitely my phone - it puts a huge amount of information within easy reach. I use Reddit a lot to learn about and discuss a wide range of topics, from tech to finance. I also follow a few key people on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay up to date on industry news and trends. A few of my favourites are: 

• Florian Roth (@cyb3rops)
• Stephan Berger (@malmoeb)
• Billy Leonard (@billyleonard) 

Lastly, if money wasn't an issue, what would you be doing right now? 

Right now, I'd be taking my family to a nice villa somewhere warm with a decent pool to play in with my kids. It would be great to have some time away to relax and recharge. 

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