Mimecast’s Rob Juncker Reflects on His Journey from Teenage Hacker to Security Leader
Summary
Mimecast’s Rob Juncker recounts how early hacking, a warning from authorities, studies in computer science and economics, and a personal moral compass led him to a career defending organizations.
Key points
- Juncker says his interest began with an Apple IIc, where he taught himself BASIC programming.
- As a teenager, he used a forged parental letter to obtain a dedicated modem phone line and experimented with pirated software and game protections.
- Authorities warned him over attempts to access phone lines or services; he says the warning prompted him to change course.
- Studying computer science and economics helped him see a legitimate career in using computing skills to protect systems.
- Juncker says he has spent his professional career applying knowledge of attacks to defending organizations.
- He joined Code42 in 2017, became its CTO in 2020, and moved to Mimecast when it acquired Code42 in 2024.
Article Details
- Topic
- Rob Juncker’s journey from teenage hacking to a career defending organizations, shaped by a legal warning, education, and a personal moral compass.
People
Vendors
Code42After senior R&D and engineering roles at VMware, LANDesk and Ivanti, he joined Code42 in 2017.IvantiAfter senior R&D and engineering roles at VMware, LANDesk and Ivanti, he joined Code42 in 2017.LANDeskAfter senior R&D and engineering roles at VMware, LANDesk and Ivanti, he joined Code42 in 2017.MimecastRob Juncker is chief product and technology officer at Mimecast.VMwareAfter senior R&D and engineering roles at VMware, LANDesk and Ivanti, he joined Code42 in 2017.