Nate Tate, information security analyst, is a valued member of the InfoSec team at WashU. In his role, he performs third-party risk assessments and manages all matters related to policy exceptions. His work is integral to maintaining the university’s strong security posture and ensuring compliance across our various domains.
Nate’s favorite part of his job is the team he works with. He says, “They are an excellent group of people who are always willing to help in any way necessary.” He also enjoys the variety and complexity of his responsibilities, which keep him engaged and motivated.
When discussing common misconceptions about his role, Nate says that many people don’t understand the breadth of the field of information security. “Many times when I explain that I work in InfoSec, people assume I’m into hacking or something like that. I then explain the various aspects of InfoSec and what I do—which usually bores them to death!” he jokes.
Nate brings a broad scope of expertise and diverse skill set to the team. He began his professional career at WashU as an intern. Afterward, he continued to gain experience in IT and InfoSec roles at organizations like Angelica, Graybar, and AG Edwards (later Wells Fargo), where he developed his expertise in security analysis, policy compliance, and governance. He spent several years in the financial industry while serving as Alderman for the City of St. Clair. He then served six years as a Missouri State Representative, all while working as Director of Technology at Empac Group, balancing public service with his passion for technology. Today, Nate’s dedication to governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) has brought him full circle back to the InfoSec field at WashU, where his journey began.
When he’s not working, Nate stays busy with his family, which includes his wife, five kids, a grandson, and two dogs. Much of his time is spent managing the family’s packed schedule of sports practices, games, appointments, and more. However, when he gets the chance, he enjoys playing golf, flying model airplanes, and spending time with friends.
Nate emphasizes that InfoSec is not only a fun profession but also one that offers rewarding career opportunities. His advice for anyone looking to enter the field is to build and utilize your network. For those interested in staying up to date on the latest security news and trends, Nate likes BleepingComputer.com and DarkReading.com.