Why I Want to Study Cybersecurity at Carnegie Mellon University

From a very young age, I was very fascinated by technology. I can vividly remember when smartphones emerged in Rwanda and everyone started using them. I was curious to know their core functionalities. I become famous in my neighborhood because I could protect some apps by just setting a password. I became deeply passionate about it and decided to follow electronics and telecommunications in high school then later Networks and Communications systems in University. A few semesters after joining the Adventist University of Central Africa, they introduced the cybersecurity club, which I joined at the end of 2018. That helped me answer so many burning questions I had about systems security. In this Carnegie Mellon supplemental essas, I embraced the chance to showcase my passion for cybersecurity degree at your university, my interdisciplinary mindset, and my desire to contribute to the dynamic community of scholars and creators at Carnegie Mellon University.

I am very much enthusiasts to pursue and specialize in cybersecurity at Carnegie Mellon University Africa. After completing this degree, I will be able to set up secure and protected systems as it was my hobbies and dreams since then and as of now am not technically fit for that but at the end of this study, I will be in a good position to try everything and have the spirit to innovate.

My background in engineering, particularly in electronics and telecommunication started at Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center where I attended my Advanced Level studies. When I was in my level six (last year) of studies, I could be in a position to do some research and present projects at the end as all other TVET schools do before earning my diploma. Personally, I went back and thought of the project that I can do with much and more innovations. That’s how I came up with an idea of “Automatic Crop Irrigation System” which was the only project chosen by the school to participate in TVET EXPO 2015 because of its uniqueness and innovation.

In addition to that, I had great and invaluable experience at Adventist University of Central Africa in Information Technology, where I was glad to get foundation skills in the field and I was privileged to learn some basics of algorithm and data structures, deep and core network courses, a little bit of network security and web development courses as well. With this knowledge gained, I was able to implement some small but helpful projects during my stay at the Adventist University of Central Africa like implementing clustered environment servers (load balancing), car rental web-based system as mini project and currently am working on Digital online auction system.

In terms of experience, or any research conducted; I’ve attended different information technology summits and the recent one which was prepared by RISA Cloud and Security Summit in March 2019. Thereafter I was privileged to be part of big system development of MININFRA in contract with RASIS LTD which is Fleet Management System in Rwanda and I was data consultant in Eastern Province of Rwanda in August, 2019. And in addition to these, I was once again privileged to be teaching assistant at the Adventist University of Central Africa in computer networks and other related courses during my stay there where I was able to help students in their difficulties as well. All of this experience has been a source of motivation and courage towards the Information Technology industry which in fact helped me to meet many obstacles and challenges with confidence and a positive mind to come up with the right solution as well. And at some point, I’ve gained some skills during such summits and furthermore, I’ve learned and developed the spirit of working teams and meeting deadlines in any assigned duty and task which adds some core values to the community too. I do hope that my experience baggage and eager to learn and explore more in this field will have big and huge contribution to the Carnegie Mellon University community as well.

Once I have a degree from a renowned University in the World, Carnegie Mellon University Africa, I will be part of Africa’s revolution digital and securing of company data, personal data from being breached and security of information in general. will help me through this journey of security issues all over and will strengthen my capabilities in setting up secure environments as well as awareness about cybercrimes, and how it can be protected in Rwanda, Africa and around the globe. But this will not end at the time of stepping out from Carnegie Mellon University Africa, rather it will be beginning of the intense research in secure and protected systems and above all I seek to be change-makers in the field as much as I can.

Due to that, my preference in the MSIT at Carnegie Mellon University Africa as renowned University and one of leading change in the Information Technology sector in Africa, this will help me to build and achieve these goals due to knowledge I expect to gain during my stay at Carnegie Mellon University Africa. This will be best and strategic place for me to grow my skills, capabilities and specialize in the cybersecurity sector to deliver and offer better services in this field of cyberspaces in Rwanda, and leverage all the opportunities across Africa and beyond.