A brighter future
Why Joshua Nordan is building
a career in cyber security
Empowering customers and colleagues
Throughout his life, Joshua has never been one to sit on his hands and watch opportunities pass by. He’s hard-working and deliberate about the pathways he chooses - but he’s also not afraid to reskill and take a chance on something new. Joshua is well on his way to establishing himself as a leader in the Smoothwall team and is more than willing to help his colleagues grow alongside him.
By nature, our industry is constantly evolving. As technology and the internet advance, it’s important to keep on top of the changes, which means there’s never a monotonous moment at Smoothwall. As Joshua explains, it’s our responsibility to ensure we provide the safest digital experience for the students and schools who rely on us for protection.
“Our purpose is to empower our users by giving them knowledge to understand our product and utilize it effectively,” Joshua says. “We work with our customers to identify problems, then resolve them or point them towards the correct solution. The Smoothwall team will always be there to support our users, but ultimately, we want to build their confidence and capability to take control of their digital journey.”
In addition to assisting customers, Joshua has stepped up to support his colleagues. He brings persistence and patience to this role and encourages others to develop these skills if they want to thrive at Smoothwall.
“We all want to develop professionally, and if we have the ability to help someone else grow, we’ll do that. I’m grateful that with my experience, I’m in a position to drive that growth. I get a lot of fulfilment watching other people have a lightbulb moment.”
A jack of all trades
While Joshua has always had an interest in tech, it wasn’t his first choice for a career. He’s dipped his toes in a number of professions, from musician to police officer to disability support worker. A single dad to two young sons, Joshua needed to find a career path that offered stability and purpose.
“It took me a while to figure out what I wanted. Some of those jobs gave me some sense of fulfilment, but there was always something missing. I was tired of the rat race; I wanted a promising career. So, I gained my degree, and I’ve never looked back.”
Joshua worked full time at a telecommunications company while studying, gaining valuable experience in the sector. Once he graduated, he became a systems engineer in the K-12 district. From here, Joshua was well-positioned to move into cyber safety for schools - and we’re glad he chose to continue that journey at Smoothwall.
“I’ve seen the importance of our product first-hand. Teachers depend on this technology to keep students safe. When you work with customers in the school sector, they’ll have urgent needs that must be met. It’s great to be able to meet those needs head-on and provide a resolution quickly.”
Smoothwall is in a period of growth, and Joshua is excited about his place in developing our business.
“It’s not just about wanting the business to be successful. It’s because the more we grow, the more students we protect. I have two children, so I understand the magnitude of our mission. We’re safeguarding students’ digital journeys, and as a result, we’re protecting their lives.”