As an entrepreneur and cybersecurity specialist, Ahmed Mostafa has emerged as one of the leading minds in this field of technology. I had the recent honor of conversing with Ahmed Mostafa and found his insights very unique. I’m sure that you will draw some inspiration from his life story.
Warlock Asylum: Before we begin, I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions. However, for our readers who may not be familiar with your work, please introduce yourself. Who is Ahmed Mostafa?
Ahmed Mostafa: Thanks for your questions and your valued time it is my pleasure to talk to you today. I’m Ahmed an entrepreneur that works in the field of cybersecurity. I’ve worked with cybersecurity & forensic vendors from India, Russia, China, Taiwan, and Canada for more than nine years. Beyond this, I’m working as a cyber forensic investigator for cybercrimes I’m also one of the exam reviewers for a well-known exam in cyber forensic.
Warlock Asylum: Tell us a little bit about your background. How was life growing up?
Ahmed Mostafa: As a child, I liked working on my old computer, which was working on Windows 95 at this time. My hard disk was 1 GB, certainly a lot of memory at that time. Maybe youth might read this and cannot imagine just how good things were then, but it was really the good days –“old always gold“.
After that, I started working on becoming a web designer at a time when there wasn’t any photoshop. I soon learned, however, how to build my own websites. I began the next phase of work as a network specialist. This educated me on the more in-depth aspects of computer technology. Building networks was something that I really enjoyed from its physical layer to the application layer. In order to improve my understanding and professionalism, I started taking classes and became certified as CCNA when I was 19 years old and began studying for my CCNP when I was 20 years old. Later, I was able to obtain all other certifications including my CHFI.
Warlock Asylum: What factors inspired you to pursue a career in cybersecurity?
Ahmed Mostafa: Disappointing & Failure – I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur. I always pictured myself working for someone else. But nine years ago, I was deeply inspired to build my own company. Of course, there were times when I had to deal with disappointment and failure, but if you really stick to your aims you will achieve your goals.
I was led into cybersecurity because I imagine all the things that we have created for ourselves on the computer, only for this resource to be hacked, and what effects it can have on an individual and business level.
Warlock Asylum: As a specialist in the field, how would you define the term cybersecurity and the vastness of the field?
Ahmed Mostafa: To make people feel secure. I strongly suggest for anyone who would like to start a career in cybersecurity to try a different career first. The challenges that you will face in this field are endless.
Warlock Asylum: I would like to congratulate you on your success as an entrepreneur. How was the Eagles Foundation formed and what are some of its aims?
Ahmed Mostafa: I consider Eagles like a baby. I had to build every point in this business. It has now grown to have more than 13 partners from all of the world working on penetration testing, cyber forensic services, and training with clients from all over the world.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the valuable life lessons that you’ve learned while establishing your career in cybersecurity?
Ahmed Mostafa: First thing I have learned to make your eye opens always:
Cybersecurity and especially cyber forensic is a career that makes you think every day and every moment. There is always something new that you need to be updated about at every moment. Everyone has a different point of view, but all must be heard.
Secondly, if you aren’t a superhero please don’t try to be a one:
Be yourself and don’t try to make everything be about a fusion of specialized points. I have met a lot of young guys that want to perform each operation in the cybersecurity sector. but I do strongly not suggest that they first specialize in one point.
Superheroes in cybersecurity are not too much so try to be specialized in some point and know how to work in the team till you a superhero
If you think that you have been hacked please rethink about this:
In one DDOS attack, which happened with DYN dns on 2016, the main problem faced by the technical team was real traffic from real machines because the hackers’ network has used zombies for millions of users and using them in their attack so basically millions of real people have been involved in this attack without their knowledge. Hacking is a blind job
Taste your success story: Build a secured network, or system, or even after solving a case, savor the taste of success after each task you complete. So make your goal and fight till you achieve it.
Warlock Asylum: How real is the need for cybersecurity in the world today?
Ahmed Mostafa: The everyday need for cybersecurity is increased rapidly due to the possibility of a cyber attack on a company or even a country. You really can destroy a nation by pressing ENTER. Often times, companies will find them taking greater security measures only after they get hacked.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the other projects you’ve been involved with in order to spread awareness about cybersecurity?
Ahmed Mostafa: It is not just about spreading awareness but also exchanging knowledge with different colleagues from different countries with different cultures. I started doing online training in 2015 for advanced courses for CCIE courses and cybersecurity. After that, I have to do workshops in countries like India & Russia. I was also a keynote speaker on infosec Russia. This conference has been attended by more than 4000 candidates from all over the world.
Warlock Asylum: What can we expect to hear from Ahmed Mostafa in the near future? Any final thoughts?
Ahmed Mostafa: I have been working on my dream since 2017 to build the first cyber forensic lab in MENA “Eagle Evidence Lab”. The launching of this dream was delayed in February 2020, due to this pandemic time. We have decided to launch the lab in September.
We will start our services for audio/video forensic, mobile, computer forensic, and brand protections & tracking services. The same tools & products which are used in this lab are the same as some of law enforcement agencies in Europe.
Thanks once again, Ahmed Mostafa! On behalf of Warlock Asylum International, I would like to wish you all the best in your career and life’s work.
Warlock Asylum: Before we begin, I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions. However, for our readers who may not be familiar with your work, please introduce yourself. Who is Ahmed Mostafa?
Ahmed Mostafa: Thanks for your questions and your valued time it is my pleasure to talk to you today. I’m Ahmed an entrepreneur that works in the field of cybersecurity. I’ve worked with cybersecurity & forensic vendors from India, Russia, China, Taiwan, and Canada for more than nine years. Beyond this, I’m working as a cyber forensic investigator for cybercrimes I’m also one of the exam reviewers for a well-known exam in cyber forensic.
Warlock Asylum: Tell us a little bit about your background. How was life growing up?
Ahmed Mostafa: As a child, I liked working on my old computer, which was working on Windows 95 at this time. My hard disk was 1 GB, certainly a lot of memory at that time. Maybe youth might read this and cannot imagine just how good things were then, but it was really the good days –“old always gold“.
After that, I started working on becoming a web designer at a time when there wasn’t any photoshop. I soon learned, however, how to build my own websites. I began the next phase of work as a network specialist. This educated me on the more in-depth aspects of computer technology. Building networks was something that I really enjoyed from its physical layer to the application layer. In order to improve my understanding and professionalism, I started taking classes and became certified as CCNA when I was 19 years old and began studying for my CCNP when I was 20 years old. Later, I was able to obtain all other certifications including my CHFI.
Warlock Asylum: What factors inspired you to pursue a career in cybersecurity?
Ahmed Mostafa: Disappointing & Failure – I never planned on becoming an entrepreneur. I always pictured myself working for someone else. But nine years ago, I was deeply inspired to build my own company. Of course, there were times when I had to deal with disappointment and failure, but if you really stick to your aims you will achieve your goals.
I was led into cybersecurity because I imagine all the things that we have created for ourselves on the computer, only for this resource to be hacked, and what effects it can have on an individual and business level.
Warlock Asylum: As a specialist in the field, how would you define the term cybersecurity and the vastness of the field?
Ahmed Mostafa: To make people feel secure. I strongly suggest for anyone who would like to start a career in cybersecurity to try a different career first. The challenges that you will face in this field are endless.
Warlock Asylum: I would like to congratulate you on your success as an entrepreneur. How was the Eagles Foundation formed and what are some of its aims?
Ahmed Mostafa: I consider Eagles like a baby. I had to build every point in this business. It has now grown to have more than 13 partners from all of the world working on penetration testing, cyber forensic services, and training with clients from all over the world.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the valuable life lessons that you’ve learned while establishing your career in cybersecurity?
Ahmed Mostafa: First thing I have learned to make your eye opens always:
Cybersecurity and especially cyber forensic is a career that makes you think every day and every moment. There is always something new that you need to be updated about at every moment. Everyone has a different point of view, but all must be heard.
Secondly, if you aren’t a superhero please don’t try to be a one:
Be yourself and don’t try to make everything be about a fusion of specialized points. I have met a lot of young guys that want to perform each operation in the cybersecurity sector. but I do strongly not suggest that they first specialize in one point.
Superheroes in cybersecurity are not too much so try to be specialized in some point and know how to work in the team till you a superhero
If you think that you have been hacked please rethink about this:
In one DDOS attack, which happened with DYN dns on 2016, the main problem faced by the technical team was real traffic from real machines because the hackers’ network has used zombies for millions of users and using them in their attack so basically millions of real people have been involved in this attack without their knowledge. Hacking is a blind job
Taste your success story: Build a secured network, or system, or even after solving a case, savor the taste of success after each task you complete. So make your goal and fight till you achieve it.
Warlock Asylum: How real is the need for cybersecurity in the world today?
Ahmed Mostafa: The everyday need for cybersecurity is increased rapidly due to the possibility of a cyber attack on a company or even a country. You really can destroy a nation by pressing ENTER. Often times, companies will find them taking greater security measures only after they get hacked.
Warlock Asylum: What are some of the other projects you’ve been involved with in order to spread awareness about cybersecurity?
Ahmed Mostafa: It is not just about spreading awareness but also exchanging knowledge with different colleagues from different countries with different cultures. I started doing online training in 2015 for advanced courses for CCIE courses and cybersecurity. After that, I have to do workshops in countries like India & Russia. I was also a keynote speaker on infosec Russia. This conference has been attended by more than 4000 candidates from all over the world.
Warlock Asylum: What can we expect to hear from Ahmed Mostafa in the near future? Any final thoughts?
Ahmed Mostafa: I have been working on my dream since 2017 to build the first cyber forensic lab in MENA “Eagle Evidence Lab”. The launching of this dream was delayed in February 2020, due to this pandemic time. We have decided to launch the lab in September.
We will start our services for audio/video forensic, mobile, computer forensic, and brand protections & tracking services. The same tools & products which are used in this lab are the same as some of law enforcement agencies in Europe.
Thanks once again, Ahmed Mostafa! On behalf of Warlock Asylum International, I would like to wish you all the best in your career and life’s work.
Ahmed Mostafa on Facebook
