TSI Employee Spotlight: Richard Cote

Richard Cote is the latest addition to the TSI team as our Senior Cybersecurity Engineer. He’s a lifelong Massachusetts native and considers himself to be a life-long learner with several degrees and certifications including CISSP, CMMC Registered Practitioner, and many more. Richard is also a member of the Boston InfraGard Members Alliance on the Board of the Directors as the Treasurer. IBMA is a nonprofit joint partnership between critical infrastructure (to include IT) areas and the Boston FBI. TSI is proud to have someone like Richard on our team and we’re excited to all get to know him a little bit more in today’s spotlight.

1. Tell us what inspired you to get into the IT/cyber-security industry?

I’ve always enjoyed technology and was “that kid” that had a tendency to take apart all things electronic growing up, much to the dismay of my parents and siblings, since more often than not, once I put things back together, they might not work quite as designed. I also always enjoyed computers and would spend hours on my Tandy TRS-80 making programs that didn’t really serve a useful purpose, but I still enjoyed the work and troubleshooting when programs wouldn’t work the first time around. Once I joined the Air Force, I became largely a jack of all trades but always with an emphasis on the security aspects of systems and computers. In IT and cyber-security, change is a constant, which means there is always a new challenge and new thing to learn!

2. Describe yourself in three words

• Humorous
• Ambitious
• Resourceful

3. How do you gauge success? What is your favorite part of working within the SMB space?

Metrics and Key Performance Indicators! This can be a challenge to know which metrics are the right ones to monitor and which are simply a distraction. But setting goals and measuring their success in small, incremental steps are key to ensuring success. This can be overwhelming if you’re not careful, like starting a new college program and knowing you have hundreds or thousands of things you need to accomplish to achieve ultimate success. But if you eat the elephant one bite at a time you’ll eventually complete it! I enjoy working in all sizes of environments, but I’ve always felt that the SMB space, in particular regarding security, is VERY underserved even though it’s also VERY important. So delivering services and products to my SMB customers that are affordable, high quality, and secure, is extremely satisfying.

4. What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

I’m just as much of a nerd outside of work that I am inside of work. I like video games, reading, all kinds of music, and all things high tech.

5. What’s your favorite food?

Can I only choose one!? If so, I’d have to say Italian, especially if it is handmade and genuine!

6. What is your favorite quote and why?

Almost all quotes from one of my favorite leaders, Colin Powell. One that I’ve always tried to take to heart and make part of my day to day living is “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”

7. What celebrity or historical figure- past or present- would you like to meet over a cup of coffee?

Colin Powell again. Although I had the distinct pleasure of meeting some amazing leaders in my military career, sadly Colin Powell was not one of them

8. What is something that most people don’t know about you?

Although I love almost all things technological, that doesn’t involve Social Media.

9. What are your goals for the future, both personally and professionally?

On a personal level, having a child with special needs (Down Syndrome), I’m a huge advocate for inclusion and giving people with different needs and abilities every opportunity to succeed and be supported. Professionally, I want to continue to learn new things every day and work with people and organizations that I enjoy and respect.