In my 15+ years in the industry, I’ve worked with multiple companies that advertised “Training Funds” or “Ongoing Professional Development.” As a lifelong learner, these benefits always appealed to me. However, I was often unprepared for the hurdles involved. Accessing funds usually required extensive negotiation, and eventually, I became discouraged as the approval process seemed to grow increasingly difficult. It got to the point where it was easier to cover training expenses myself or apply for conference scholarships than to go through my employer. That was my reality—until I joined Censys.
In March 2024, I made the smart choice to join Censys. From day one, I felt trusted and was given responsibility for big decisions. I also had opportunities to represent the company at industry events as part of my day-to-day responsibilities.
Within my first two months, I attended RSA, representing Censys and immersing myself in my first security conference. I fell in love with the energy! It inspired me to check out the next big security event of the year: BlackHat. With the trip confirmed, I realized I would be in Las Vegas just before DEFCON, another security conference I heard good things about and had an interest in.
Censys Senior IT Analyst Stephanie Gruss at BlackHat USA
My request for professional development funds was approved by our People Team, who deeply understands the value of hands-on learning and networking at industry events. With the $2,000 professional development credit I was granted, attending events like DEFCON and BlackHat became both financially feasible and profoundly impactful.
At DEFCON, I participated in workshops and lectures on topics ranging from access control hacking to urban weblining, equipping me with both intellectual insights and practical skills that I continue to use in my role as Senior IT Administrator.
Censys Senior IT Analyst Stephanie Gruss at DEFCON
Because I was under my annual professional development limit, I had some extra spend which allowed me to virtually attend the Grace Hopper Celebration later in the year.
Grace Hopper, which celebrates and supports women and non-binary people in tech, offered pre-conference workshops and Open Source Day projects on topics like managing AI biases, addressing burnout, and leveraging social networks to build mentoring relationships. Grace Hopper was invaluable, providing me with practical insights into trending topics like generative AI and its application in technology.
Censys doesn’t just promote individual professional development—it also encourages team growth. While in Ann Arbor, MI at our headquarters for a team-building week, I joined our Women’s Employee Resource Group for a Women’s Technology Leadership Summit during Ann Arbor Sparks, Tech Trek.
Shortly afterward, my IT colleagues and I traveled to Grand Rapids, MI, for another security conference focused on team learning. These events enabled us to share knowledge, enhance mentoring relationships, and attend valuable sessions on topics like OSINT. I left with fresh ideas for improving our tabletop exercises and the confidence to consider presenting at a future conference.
By year’s end, I’ll have attended six conferences — supported by company events, team-building activities, and my professional development budget. Looking back, I feel energized and equipped with the skills and strategies to improve our security practices and protect our physical spaces. The opportunities I’ve received have not only helped me grow, but they’ve also made a real difference in the company’s growth and success.
Interested in learning more about growing your career at Censys? Visit our Careers page!
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