Learn About Cybersecurity Careers at Cox

When cybersecurity is doing its job, no one notices. That smooth login. The encrypted message. The system that runs seamlessly. But behind the scenes, teams of curious, creative professionals are working around the clock to protect people, data and businesses from increasingly sophisticated threats. 

It’s a high-stakes field that demands more than just technical skills; it calls for problem-solvers, strategic thinkers and people who care about making an impact. 

Here, you’ll hear from three professionals from our cybersecurity teams at Cox — a product owner, an analyst and director of security engineering — about what drew them to this field, how they got started and why there’s never been a better time to work in this space.

Meet Zeba Munshi, lead product owner  

Zeba Munshi’s first encounter with cybersecurity came in the wake of a data breach — just as she was settling into a new role in a company’s IT department.

“Around the same time that I started with that company, there was a significant data breach, which now in hindsight was very scary,” she said. “At that time, I don't think I realized how bad it really was.”

She and her team were tasked with ensuring their business unit had the right cyber controls in place in the fallout of the breach. After that experience, Zeba jumped at the opportunity to work in security as a product owner, a path that eventually led her to Cox Automotive in 2022.

“I really liked that intersection between cybersecurity and product management,” she said. “That’s what I found here at Cox, and that’s why I’m here.” 

Meet Cait Corbett, cybersecurity analyst

Cybersecurity wasn’t even on Cait Corbett’s radar — until a dinner conversation with friends and family changed everything. At the time, she was working in social services when someone at the table introduced her to a program called Women in Technology (WIT).

“I learned about a program called Women in Technology,” Cait recalled. “I kind of wrestled with it for a little bit. I was like, ‘Do I want to do this? Am I even interested in cybersecurity?’ And then I thought to myself, ‘What do I have to lose if I go through with this program?’”

When Cait completed the program and obtained her certificate in cybersecurity fundamentals, a friend and mentor, who just happens to be Cox Automotive’s Chief Product Officer Marianne Johnson, encouraged her to explore opportunities at the company.

“She was very instrumental in encouraging me to apply to Cox Automotive,” said Cait, who joined Cox Automotive in 2022. “Working at Cox is nothing short of inspiring, challenging and incredibly fulfilling, and I’m just looking to move forward in the space.” 

Meet Grace Carrillo, director of security engineering 

With more than 30 years of experience in software engineering, Grace Carrillo has grown her career as technology itself has transformed significantly. At Cox, she advanced from senior software engineer to engineering manager, where she led DevOps and platform engineering teams.

“It was during my time in DevOps that we were able to pioneer how to integrate security scans into the software development process with my team, and that was how we increased adoption of scanning our code for security issues in our division.”

A few years later, she formally transitioned into a cybersecurity role, where she’s been able to build out new security capabilities and help other engineering teams “integrate security into every aspect of their software development lifecycle.”

What it takes to succeed in cybersecurity 

There are a lot of different career paths within cybersecurity. At Cox, some teams are on the front lines of defense, focusing on cyber intelligence and incident response, while others build the tools and systems that help prevent security issues before they arise.

Each cybersecurity role comes with its own technical requirements, but standing out in the interview process often takes more than just the expertise you can show on paper. Soft skills like communication, curiosity, creativity and critical thinking can really set you apart.

“I think a lot of people kind of have a stereotype in mind regarding cybersecurity professionals being reclusive, but in reality, we have to be able to tell a story and clearly communicate with team members, leaders and legal stakeholders about complex technical issues,” Cait said.

Another must-have trait: a love of learning. 

“I am a firm believer that cybersecurity can be learned,” Zeba explained. “Cybersecurity depends a lot on the technology that we’re securing, and technology has changed a lot over the past several years. Right now, everything is all about AI. Before that, the biggest change we saw was in infrastructure [when] everything was moving to the cloud.” 

Cait agrees — and sees her own career as proof. “Being willing to learn and shift and be flexible and move around and do research and really soak it in is super important,” she said.

That mindset doesn’t stop once you’re in the role; it’s part of the job. Teams are continually experimenting with new tools and technologies to stay ahead of emerging threats.

“There’s a very large emphasis on machine learning to improve cybersecurity practices and risk,” Cait said as an example. “As hackers and bad actors are using AI more, we as cybersecurity professionals want to ensure that we’re coming up with solutions before they can create a problem.”

Generative AI is also part of the toolkit, Grace added.

“For example, we’re using GenAI to create the different test beds that we need to simulate different issues so that we can catch how our tools are detecting those,” she said. 

Enjoying work-life balance while making a real-world impact  

The high stakes are part of what makes working in cybersecurity so rewarding. But when you’re always thinking several steps ahead or tackling urgent problems, the job can take a toll if you’re not careful.

That’s why having real support matters. With flexible PTO, mental health resources, and a culture that respects boundaries, Cox prioritizes well-being so cybersecurity professionals can stay sharp and still show up for the things — and people — that matter most outside of work.

“I am a working mom, so I have two little kids and I need flexibility,” Zeba said. “As a Cox employee, I have the flexibility I need to not only focus on my work and do the best I can for my job, but I also have the time to focus on my family and set whatever boundaries I need to keep those things in balance.”

Teams support one another, whether it’s covering for a coworker on vacation or rotating on-call responsibilities to prevent burnout.

“Thanks to the culture that we have here at Cox, I never feel that I’m not supported,” Zeba said. “There’s always someone I can turn to and have each other’s back with teammates.”