Cybersecurity startup fires intern for secretly bypassing safeguards in live production systems “to think like an attacker,” sparking debate over whether termination was too harsh: ‘letting it slide would’ve sent the wrong message about security culture’ – FAIL Blog

So when this Cybersecurity intern goes against the ‘rulebook,’ there are no second chances. His intentions may have been pure, some could even say innovative. But in an industry that prides itself on being secure (cough cough, it’s in the name), anything or anyone who threatens that safety barrier is a threat.  

This Cybersecurity startup began noticing some strange activity a few weeks after their new intern joined…He attempted to bypass their security to, and so I quote, “Think like a hacker”…Now, to put this story in simple terms for all our loyal readers: Genius? Perhaps. Against company policy? Certainly. Fired? Without Question. Necessary? Debatable… 

This is where the controversy comes in. Interns are brought in to learn, so on one hand, firing them for one mistake may not be the most effective option. Whilst, on the other hand…we are certain that no cybersecurity company would put up with such behavior regarding ‘security culture’, so why should they have to?