Finding Purpose in Cybersecurity: Hrishikesh Deshmukh’s Journey

For Hrishikesh Deshmukh, pursuing a master’s in cybersecurity at Duke University is more than an academic milestone—it’s a way to align technical expertise with a deeper sense of purpose.

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in computer science, Hrishikesh has spent nearly three years as a Cloud Software Engineer at Oracle. While he enjoyed software engineering, something was missing—until security-related tasks sparked a new passion. “Implementing HTTPS, provisioning IAM, and eliminating CVEs made me realize cybersecurity might be my calling,” he reflects. “This field is about protection, service, and impact, and that’s what drew me in.”

That passion deepened in CYBERSEC 590: Offensive and Defensive Uses of AI, taught by Professor Ryan Linn. In a hands-on red-team exercise, Hrishikesh and his classmates used AI tools to exploit vulnerabilities in Docker containers. The experience directly strengthened his work at Oracle, where Docker is central to operations, and sharpened his skills with AI, Linux, and virtual machines.

What sets Duke apart, he says, is its industry-driven approach. “Nearly all our professors are active cybersecurity professionals, bringing cutting-edge tools and real-world perspectives into the classroom. The curriculum evolves constantly – new courses on AI and supply chain security are already on the horizon.” Weekly CYBERSEC 501 seminars and the Mentoring for Cybersecurity Achievement Program (MCAP), led by Professor Kim Kotlar, further connect students with industry leaders. “It’s rare access to mentorship and leadership development you just don’t find elsewhere.”

Balancing full-time work, graduate courses, and personal life has required discipline and communication. Hrishikesh credits his success to careful planning, clear prioritization, and honest dialogue with both his employer and professors. “Thanks to the flexibility at Oracle and Duke, I’ve been able to grow in both worlds,” he says.

Looking ahead, Hrishikesh hopes to apply his degree toward protecting critical infrastructure—from power grids to healthcare systems. “Cybersecurity offers countless ways to make a difference,” he says. “At Duke, we’re encouraged to aim high. I truly believe our goal should be nothing less than changing the world.”