The First Line of Defense
How Yonesy Nunez utilizes knowledge, passion, and purpose to keep your finances secure
By: Jacob Rivard
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you came from. As long as you don’t forget who you were, you can achieve whatever you want.”
These words of advice, imparted to Yonesy Nunez at a young age, stayed with him through his professional career, shaping him into the cybersecurity expert he is today. Nunez, now the Group Information Security Lead for Wells Fargo, utilizes his wide berth of experience and knowledge to pave the way to the future of financial cybersecurity. Originally an engineer, Nunez found his passion for cybersecurity after attending a conference on digital security in the late 90s. Shortly after his return, his boss placed him in charge of the cybersecurity department of his company. With this unique opportunity, Nunez learned the ins and outs of keeping digital identities safe from threats of all kinds.
Digital threats are a multi-headed beast. In 2017, the University of Maryland published a report illustrating the threat of cybersecurity the average American faces each day. According to their report, digital-based attacks on identity and security occur once every 39 seconds. One in every three Americans will be affected by a cybersecurity attack at some point in their lives; currently, cybersecurity is one of the largest risks an average American must face on a day to day basis. Nunez’s job has given him additional foresight into the threat as he’s worked to stave off financial threats to Wells Fargo and their investors, clients, and employees.
Name: Yonesy Nunez
Title: Group Information Security Lead, Wells Fargo
Background: Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Yonesy Nunez moved to the Bronx during middle school, attending public school shortly after. At a young age, Nunez wanted to take things apart to learn how they work -- with this in mind, he pursued an Engineering degree at Manhattan College, obtaining employment shortly after. A fateful encounter at a cybersecurity conference encouraged him to pioneer change within the cybersecurity community, starting him along the road he walks on today as the Group Information Security Lead for Wells Fargo.
“It’s not an easy job. In fact, it’s a job that requires you to be active and aware at all times.” Fortunately, Nunez and others in the cybersecurity field work together to create stalwart defenses against these threats. The biggest dangers that affect average Americans typically involve the unaware consent of the user. Nunez emphasizes the importance of being aware of everything you click and interact with; if you receive an email or a text with a link that you didn't ask for, don’t click it. These types of scams can steal personal data, banking information, and even reveal your location to potential hackers.
Nunez’s job is a collaborative one. He cooperates with law enforcement officials and fellow cybersecurity experts to create peer-to-peer learning environments where leaders can find new avenues of defense against would-be threats. As the digital world continues to integrate with our everyday lives, defensive measures will evolve to better defend the average citizen from potential pitfalls.
Whether it’s a breaching attempt on a server or a simple phishing scam, Yonesy Nunez is prepared for anything. From the start of his security career pioneering the industry to leading the defense efforts for one of the largest banks in the world, Nunez combines his knowledge, passion, and relentlessness in pursuit of a brighter future. He’s never forgotten where he’s come from, however; the words from his young age still stay strong in his mind.