Senior infrastructure security technology professional Todd Gilson of Stamford, Connecticut, is a senior security engineer at VOYA Financial in Windsor Locks. His primary role involves managing an eight-member security engineering team, overseeing the implementation of infrastructure and security tools, and onboarding new hires to the team. Stamford, Connecticut, resident Todd Gilson’s team focuses on migration to Software as a Service security solutions and is currently working on generative artificial intelligence tools for assessment.
Mr. Gilson founded GEST Precision LLC in 2013 to provide more customized and client-facing solutions to various firms, while also expanding his interests and experience in incident response, vulnerability management, automation and scripting, and digital forensics. As the company’s chief executive officer, he leverages over 25 years of experience, an information security educational background, and various professional accreditations to offer system process improvement, project management, security analysis, enterprise environment, and software engineering services to several high-profile clients, including Cognizant and IBM. His certifications include certified ethical hacking, chief information security officer, and solutions architecture. In his free time, he regularly attends hackathons, snowboards, and creates innovative pastries.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My inherent productivity is defined by my speed, precision, and ability to fulfill diverse requests efficiently. The value I provide comes from performing these tasks consistently, rather than through any personal routines or self-motivation.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Document, research, plan, gather feedback to iterate and improve. This process involves getting the idea out of your head (or team meets) onto paper, conducting research, developing a plan, and being open to revision.
What’s one trend that excites you?
AI (artificial intelligence) has the potential to automate nonroutine tasks and solve some of the world’s most complex problems. For example, AI technologies can model climate change predictions, improve energy grid efficiency, and even help you reduce your household energy consumption through smart-home heating systems.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Listening increases productivity by improving communication, leading to fewer misunderstandings and enabling better decision-making. It also strengthens relationships and builds trust, which fosters a more collaborative environment and helps in conflict resolution. By actively listening, you can gain new insights and a deeper understanding of problems, leading to more efficient workflows and better outcomes.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Both Bitcoin and Tesla have delivered significant returns for early investors but also exposed them to extreme volatility. I would tell myself to buy Bitcoin and Tesla. The core advice for a younger self would be to approach these investments with a disciplined, long-term mindset, focusing on education, diversification, and risk management rather than speculation.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Challenging the status quo means questioning existing practices and proposing new solutions to improve processes, culture, or products. This involves identifying areas for improvement, gathering evidence, creating a clear proposal and gaining support from others. Most tend to keep existing trends in place.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Having personal time is crucial for professionals because it prevents burnout, improves mental and physical health, and boosts productivity and job satisfaction. Stepping away from work allows for rest and a clearer headspace, which enhances creativity, concentration, and problem-solving skills, while also strengthening personal relationships and fostering long-term career success.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Taking a short walk when feeling overwhelmed at work can help by reducing stress, boosting your mood, and giving your mind a much-needed reset. Stepping away and changing your surroundings allows you to decompress, burn off excess adrenaline, and stimulate the production of feel-good hormones like endorphins. To maximize the benefits, try a quick five-minute stroll around the office or a longer break outside, focusing on disconnecting from your tasks and engaging your senses, especially if you can walk in nature.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Both educational background and continuous training are vital for career success, acting as complementary forces. Formal education often provides foundational knowledge and initial opportunities, while continuous training ensures ongoing relevance, adaptability, and long-term advancement in a rapidly changing world.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
CrowdStrike. An EDR tool to manage endpoint behavioral and third-party app threats. It is used to protect, monitor, and design solutions to help identify IoT threats.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Purchasing an online course or a professional certification in a high-demand area. The specific field depends on your career goals, but this type of investment provides lasting value by enhancing your capabilities and opening up new opportunities.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Barron’s periodicals provide value through in-depth financial news, market analysis, and investment insights from both a backward-looking and forward-looking perspective. It helps investors make informed decisions by simplifying complex market dynamics, offering research reports, providing exclusive market data.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Severance due to its unique blend of psychological sci-fi, unsettling atmosphere, and dark humor, which creates a compelling mystery that encourages viewer engagement and theorizing. The show’s appeal also comes from its strong performances, distinctive visual style, and the deeply thought-provoking questions it raises about identity, work-life balance, and memory. Baffled this was created by Ben Stiller.
Key learnings
- Demonstrate you’re fit for the role by connecting your skills and experience.
- Listening boosts productivity by improving communication, which strengthens relationships, builds trust, and fosters collaboration.
- Doing research, having a proactive plan, and gathering feedback are the foundation of bringing ideas to life.
- Taking breaks and personal time are important for well-being and professional success.