My Career Journey: Vitalii Kushnirenko, Chief Information Security Officer

Introduction

Q: Vitaliy, what are your main responsibilities as Chief Information Security Officer?

As CISO, my main responsibility is to ensure that our security vision aligns with the company’s direction. This includes overseeing everything from incident management and awareness processes to KYC procedures, supplier and device checks, physical security and security platform integrations. I also supervise security audits for various certifications.

I work closely with my team to make sure we’re not just ticking boxes but truly keeping pace with our KPIs and security goals. Another key part of my role is staying connected with other departments. i.d. understanding their challenges and adjusting our infrastructure and support to meet their needs.

Q: What keeps you passionate about security?

When I first joined the Security department, my goal was to shape a long-term vision tailored to our company’s needs. That vision is still evolving. As the company grows, enters new markets, and welcomes clients and team members from across the globe, our security approach has to keep up.

It’s about constantly balancing what’s needed and what’s possible: scaling our systems, ensuring compliance and reinforcing trust as we expand. Security isn’t something you build once and forget, it’s something we improve every day.

Let’s Reflect

Q: Can you give us some insights into how it all started for you?

It all started more than 8 years ago when I joined the company as a System Administrator (yes, I didn’t start with Security right away). Back then, onboarding was nothing like it is today. It mostly meant signing some papers, reading through the policy and getting a quick office tour.

I still remember my first day: I met Eugene, our CTO, who was my manager at the time. It was also the first time I ever used MacOS! I had solid experience with Windows and Linux, but Mac definitely felt like uncharted territory. A bit strange at first, but a fun challenge.

Q: How did the transition from System Administrator to Security happen? How are these two fields connected?

When I started as a System Administrator, Security was nothing like it is today. There were no formal processes, no dedicated team and very little structure. It was mostly about setting up servers and systems, which naturally fell under System Administration.

For me, these 2 fields focus on building and maintaining secure environments. For System Administrators, it’s mostly about practical, technical security: settings, tools and infrastructure. But Security as a field goes far beyond the technical side. It also includes formal requirements, building scalable processes, and making sure everything aligns with compliance and broader business goals. In large organizations like ours, Security can’t exist without solid Infrastructure, and Infrastructure isn’t complete without Security approaches.

So when the CISO role was offered to me, it was both a surprise (I honestly didn’t expect it), and a natural step, since I’d been involved in security-related tasks from day one.

Q: You’ve been with SupportYourApp for over 8 years, what’s kept you here all this time?

First and foremost, it’s the people. There’s always been this amazing atmosphere and vibe that makes it easy to stay.

And on a personal level, what really stood out from the very beginning was the trust. I never had to jump through layers of bureaucracy to get things done. If I had an idea or a plan for improvement, I’d simply explain what needed to be done and why, and most often, I received the green light.

We shared the same vision with SupportYourApp management, and communication has always been straightforward. I think we just clicked, and that sense of alignment still empowers me today.

Security With Purpose: Career Insights

Q: What makes someone a great fit for the Security team? What skills do you look for?

In general, I’d say soft skills are absolutely key. Things like the ability to work independently, think critically, take initiative and communicate clearly really stand out.

That’s not to say hard skills aren’t important, they definitely are, especially for technical or specialized roles. But as a team, we’re constantly collaborating with other departments and sometimes even clients. So being able to take responsibility, communicate well, and drive things forward often ends up being even more important than purely technical knowledge.

Q: Do you think being hyper-alert is a good trait for someone in Security?

That’s a great question, and I actually have a fun story about that!

When the Security team was just being formed and the first processes were taking shape, the Head of the team at that time was incredibly passionate about what he was doing. He would imagine all kinds of unusual scenarios just to test the system and find possible gaps. At one point, he even started coming to the office during non-working hours to make sure everything was functioning as it should. No one asked him to, he just enjoyed it. 

A healthy level of curiosity and suspicion is definitely useful in this field. But if someone’s always on high alert, it can really drain their energy and impact their mental well-being in a long run. It’s like the brain is constantly stuck in survival mode. So I’d say — yes, being alert helps. But like everything in Security, balance is key.

Q: That’s so true! In this fast-paced technology environment, what’s your take on AI and its impact on Security?

The biggest challenge with AI right now is privacy and information security. The reality is, no one can stop the development of AI technologies, they’re evolving whether we like it or not. So from a security perspective, trying to block access entirely isn’t a realistic or effective solution.

Instead, what does help is guiding people on how to use AI securely. We focus on creating clear directives, instructions, and real examples that show what responsible use looks like. As they say, if you can’t beat them — join them.

Outside the Office

Q: Now it’s time for a round of personal questions. If you weren’t in this profession, what career would you have pursued and why?

I’ve always been into gadgets and technology, even as a kid, so getting into IT felt like a very natural path for me. I never really questioned that general direction, because it was always something I genuinely enjoyed. If I had to imagine an alternative path, it would probably still be something tech-related.

Q: What are your hobbies or favorite ways to unwind?

In 2022, I tried snowboarding for the first time, and I absolutely LOVED it! It’s such a thrilling and refreshing way to disconnect, and I’m definitely looking forward to getting back on the slopes whenever I get the chance.

I’ve also discovered that water is my element: I’ve tried everything from wakeboarding and water biking to SUP boards and kayaking. And when it comes to unwinding, nothing beats a good board game. Some of my favorites are Evolution, Munchkin and Imaginarium. I also love playing Alias, it always keeps everyone laughing.

Q: To wrap things up on a fun note, is there an interesting fact about yourself that might surprise most people?

Back when I was a student, my friends and I started a small online perfume business. We ran a social media group, helped people choose fragrances, and even gave advice on scents and brands. It was an unexpected but definitely a fun chapter of my life!

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