William Mechler, Master Police Officer, Tampa area
William Mechler has worked in law enforcement his entire adult life. During that time, he has observed a significant trend: almost all crimes now have a digital connection.
“Whether the device is the medium for the crime or there’s a piece of evidence that links the criminal to the crime scene via router interrogations and IP address geolocating, almost every crime has a link to something cyber,” he explained.
A few years ago, William turned to the internet to find educational opportunities to enhance his cyber skills, not only to help catch criminals but also to seamlessly transition into his next career upon retirement from law enforcement. He has completed several cyber courses through various organizations and has been given opportunities to teach classes, which he loves. “I have a passion for empowering others with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity,” he said.
Through his experience with Cyber Florida’s CyberWorks program, William gained hands-on cyber skills he could use immediately at work and much more. “The most valuable skill I gained from the program isn’t even related to cybersecurity at all,” he said. “Every one of the programs I attended focused on networking without us even realizing it.” Cyber Florida provided a career coach, dynamic guest speakers, and recruiters to ensure participants had the best shot at securing employment in cybersecurity.
“Everyone in the program invests so much time and effort into helping you succeed,” William said about his CyberWorks experience. “You will not fail unless you don’t ask for help or give up on yourself.”
William is now well-known for his cybersecurity knowledge and teaching abilities, which has led to consulting opportunities and invitations to speak at several conferences. He has received several job offers for when he retires in a few years.