At HiddenLayer, we take time on Veterans Day to honor and thank all who have served, within our company and around the world. Your dedication, courage, and sacrifice protect the freedoms that make our work and our lives possible. We are deeply grateful.
This year, we’re proud to highlight two members of our team whose experiences in the U.S. military continue to shape their approach to leadership, teamwork, and innovation in cybersecurity, Travis Ryan and Kevin Finnigin. Their journeys from service to cybersecurity reflect the same discipline, integrity, and mission focus that drive HiddenLayer’s purpose, securing AI for everyone.
From Service to Cybersecurity
For Kevin Finnigin, joining the Air Force was a deliberate choice rooted in curiosity about technology.
“I learned about the ROTC program while in high school and applied for both the Army and Air Force scholarships,” he recalled. “I was accepted by both and ultimately chose the Air Force because of its reputation for being focused on high-tech.”
Kevin served as a Communications Officer for eight and a half years before transitioning into Cyberspace Operations. During his service, he developed a passion for cybersecurity, which led him to earn a graduate degree in Information Assurance through an NSA-sponsored program at the Air Force Institute of Technology. After completing a tour at the NSA as a reverse engineer, Kevin brought his expertise to the private sector, eventually joining HiddenLayer.
“Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do,” Kevin said, “are values I still lean on every day.”
A Marine’s Mindset for the Modern Threat Landscape
Travis Ryan’s journey began with a challenge.
“I picked the Marines because the dress blues looked the best,” he joked, “then I stayed because the challenge was real.”
What started as a pursuit of the hardest boot camp evolved into a lifelong commitment to service and leadership. The Marine Corps provided Travis with structure, discipline, and a sense of purpose that perfectly aligned with his natural curiosity about technology.
“Semper Fidelis shaped how I operate: set clear intent, communicate simply, and execute with discipline. In squads, you decide with imperfect information, adapt when plans meet reality, and keep momentum.”
Today, Travis brings that same mindset to cybersecurity and AI protection.
“Securing AI is the new frontline. Models now drive real decisions, and protecting them requires the same integrity, decisiveness, and readiness the Corps demanded.”
Lessons That Endure
Both Kevin and Travis credit their military service, and the families who supported them, for instilling values that guide them every day at HiddenLayer. Those lessons remain deeply relevant in cybersecurity: resilience, teamwork, and accountability.
Travis distilled his approach into a few enduring principles:
- Integrity and accountability: Tell the truth, keep your commitments, and own the outcomes.
- Decisiveness under pressure: Make timely calls with imperfect information.
- Improvise, adapt, overcome: Stay calm, adjust the plan, and keep momentum.
Kevin added:
“Military training is designed to push boundaries and teach you your limits, and show you they’re often in your head. You can always go further if you keep up the effort.”
Guiding the Next Generation of Veterans in Tech
Both veterans share a passion for helping others transition from service to technology.
Kevin encourages veterans to leverage their service benefits for technical training and connect with the strong veteran network in cybersecurity.
“There’s a great support system among veterans that can help you get a foot in the door, don’t hesitate to use it.”
Travis adds a practical framework for success:
“Treat tech like the military’s MOS system. Pick your specialty, build your portfolio, find your squad, and credential with purpose.”
Honoring All Who Serve
At HiddenLayer, we’re honored to work alongside veterans whose service strengthens our mission and culture. Their discipline, integrity, and adaptability embody the best of both military and cybersecurity.
To Travis, Kevin, and all veterans, thank you. Your dedication inspires our work and fuels our mission to make AI secure for everyone.
