V3 Hot Seat: UK Cyber Security Challenge winner Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller drew national interest earlier in March when he beat 40 other finalists in the UK Cyber Security Challenge and was crowned champion.

The 28-year-old entered the competition back in 2010 with no formal security training apart from an A-level in computer science.

From Hertfordshire, Miller studied chemistry at York University and currently works as a lab team manager at pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline  - a job he has confirmed he will continue despite his victory.

Eager to find out more details about the security challenge winner, V3 put Miller in the Hot Seat to see what makes him tick.

Miller follows AMD corporate vice president Joe Macri and HP Autonomy chief technology officer Fernando Lucini in the Hot Seat.

V3: What's your favourite part of your current job?

Miller: I enjoy promoting improvement. I've helped provide the opportunity within my team for anyone to submit new ideas and know they'll be assessed and followed through. I've had the opportunity to lead my own successful projects in the past, but now increasingly provide others the chance to show and prove their ideas.

What would be your dream job (apart from your current role, of course)?

I'm not sure i could put a finger on a single dream job, although getting paid for something involving geographic exploration would be good.

Books such as Clear Waters Rising by Nicholas Crane give me inspiration for the kind of wanderlust I'd love to combine with my hobby of photography. I'm sure it's much more mundane than it appears, but I think being a nature documentary film-maker would provide the perfect combination of these factors.

Which mobile phone and tablet do you currently use?

Perhaps surprisingly I'm not much of a phone user, so I can't justify the expense of a smartphone. Tablet wise, I recently won an iPad through the Cyber Security Challenge, which is useful for browsing and watching programmes on the BBC iPlayer. Still for most activities, I prefer a laptop.

Which person do you most admire in the IT industry?

Although some may think this is a strange choice, I'd plump for Bill Gates. I find the philanthropic work he does with his foundation inspiring, especially his attempts to eradicate malaria. However, I also admire many others, such as [SpaceX founder and PayPal co-founder] Elon Musk for taking up the challenge of pushing forward new technologies.

Which technology has had the biggest impact on your working life?

It has got to be email, both the bane and boon to office communications. It's a quick way to contact colleagues, but equally a huge drain on time, with plenty of unnecessary dross, even with good inbox management.

What's been the highlight of your career so far?

Winning the UK Cyber Security Challenge this year.

What was your first job?

I held a few part time roles throughout my school and university holidays. My first position in full time employment was during an industrial placement at Reading Scientific Services Ltd, which provided contract services primarily to the food industry.