On the Digital Offensive Line

Cory Watson earned his degree in Computer Science from Hood then spent time building his cybersecurity chops in various IT jobs. . . until he was recruited by the NFL.

Cory Watson '18 keeping the NFL secure

Graduation Year

2018

Department

Computer Science & Information Technology

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Title

Senior Manager, Offensive Security and Application Security with the NFL

Alumni

Alumni
Athletics
Computer Sciences
Cyber

By Michelle Burnett, editor, 02/19/2025

Cory Watson '18 had faculty mentors at Hood that helped him learn about many career possibilities in the cybersecurity field. These days he is in L.A., helping the NFL keep it's systems safe and secure, and he loves seeing the fruits of his labor on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays in-season, along with the rest of the world.

What professors or mentors at Hood had the biggest impact on you?

Dr. Dimitoglou’s computer science senior seminar and Dr. Salem’s classes were pretty influential in helping me decide what I wanted to do after college.

Describe the journey from graduation to how you landed your current position?

Following graduation, I worked at various companies, building my cyber security acumen by obtaining specialized cyber security certifications and attending security conferences. I then transitioned into being a penetration tester, where I work to uncover vulnerabilities in technical infrastructure. Ultimately I was recruited to bring my skillset to the NFL.

What are your top 3 favorite things about your current job with the NFL?

1.    Working in technology, you often don’t see the fruits of your work result in something tangible, so it’s always great to see projects I work on show up on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays.

2.    It’s great to be a part of an organization whose impact is so far reaching and ubiquitously known across the globe.

3.     I enjoy how things can be pretty fast paced, always leaving my team and I with plenty to do.

What advice would you give a Hood student or alum who are interested in entering a similar field?

Dedicate a lot of time to understanding new technologies and learning new skills on your own that you’ll need to succeed since technology changes pretty quickly.

What do you like to do when you aren't working?

I enjoy taking advantage of the activities available in the Los Angeles area like hiking, going to the beach, seeing well-known comics at local comedy shows, and attending sports games.

Give us a stand-out memory from your time at Hood.

I often think back on how Dr. Salem encouraged me to join the cyber security club on campus - introducing me to a lot of cyber security concepts and cultivating my career interest in what I do today.