Cyber Strength

After graduating from Excelsior University in 2023 with a master’s degree in cybersecurity, Jonathan Pichardo said his goal was to be at the forefront of the cyber age. He saw himself working as an advisor, helping people navigate the complexities of networks and software, as well as providing resources for those looking for answers. He’s now doing that in his full-time role at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Maryland, where he serves as a cyber operations technician and crew lead on the 169th Cyber Protection Team.

It’s been a busy couple of years for Pichardo, a native of the Bronx borough of New York City and a member of the Army National Guard. After completing his master’s degree, Pichardo attended the Warrant Officer Candidate Course at Fort Novosel (now Rucker), in Alabama. Upon completion of that course, he then applied for and attended the Warrant Officer Basic Course at the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, in Georgia. He then successfully became a cyber operations technician. He was then assigned to the 169th Cyber Protection Team for the Maryland Army National Guard, where he now leads cyber defensive operations for state and national operations.

A Cybersecurity Degree Was Worth It

Excelsior graduate courses in cybersecurity helped prepare Pichardo for his role in leadership opportunity. Many of the courses fell within the curriculum and covered the requirements he needed to become a cybersecurity specialist. His Excelsior studies also prepared him to qualify for the necessary certifications. “[My studies] helped me to prepare for a lot of CompTIA certifications and … kept me on the right track. … It’s actually opened a lot of doors for me,” says Pichardo.

When he completed his schooling at Warrant Officer Candidate School in February 2025, Pichardo landed his current role as a cyber operations technician maintaining and monitoring defense and offense operations as well as network architecture and aiding in cyber operations planning. The position gives him the opportunity to hold various positions within the field and develop subject matter expertise.

Evolving to Face New Cyberthreats

Pichardo’s interest in cybersecurity also led him to attend the cybersecurity doctoral program at Capital Technology University. He’s working on a dissertation about implementing artificial intelligence within the cyber operations technician role and exploring how the Army can use AI in defensive and offensive operations and day-to-day technologies. For example, the Army now uses a private network instead of the commercial internet. With the integration of AI, accessing any military site on your home computer can be streamlined.

“The integration of AI and cyber operations is figuring out a way to make that process simple, secure, and efficient for everybody working at home,” Pichardo says. “The Army’s going to see a big, big change in security and vulnerability risk.”

To be ready for future challenges and opportunities, Pichardo wants to keep growing in the field of cybersecurity. “I want to continue teaching myself as much as I can. … [Cybersecurity] is constantly changing: new updates, new software, new integrations, new implementations.”

Deployments Spur Interest in Defensive Operations

It was his deployments to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 that ignited Pichardo’s interest in cybersecurity. Assigned to air defense operations, he explored the intricate connections among air defense systems, computer systems, and configuration systems. The experience piqued his curiosity. “Doing the hands-on portion of it is what actually gave me a little interest, and I started looking into different career fields in the military,” he says.

It was during this time that Pichardo began his journey into higher education, and he discovered Excelsior University (then College). A military friend had told him about Excelsior’s flexible online courses and how the school understands the needs of military personnel. “You know, the staff, the faculty, the professors, they were all very military friendly. It was easier for me to start the [admissions] process based on [a friend] who had the prior experience,” Pichardo recalls.

Excelsior’s online format made his learning experience seamless, and he effectively managed his coursework alongside his military commitments. Pichardo earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in November 2020 and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity in February 2023.

Pichardo has sometimes faced complex challenges on his career path. Attending Excelsior, pursuing Warrant Officer Candidate School, and studying for his doctoral program has sometimes meant putting friends and family on hold. With the help of mentors and scheduled chats and get-togethers with his loved ones, Pichardo has balanced the various demands in his life.

His determination has shown his family that anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Pichardo is the first member of his family to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree, and he has inspired family members to pursue their education goals. His wife returned to school and recently completed a bachelor’s degree with Excelsior. Their son is also pursuing the ROTC program in high school. “[Earning my degrees has set] a foundation for my family and then the generations to come,” says Pichardo. “I feel like the completion of my degree, my studies, opened the whole landscape for me.”