Q&A with Danny, Cloud Security Expert and Mentor

Daniel Imhans is a Cloud Security Subject Matter Expert with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He’s the founder of Hacker Proof HQ and Hire Hack, two platforms focused on cybersecurity education, community building, and career growth.

Throughout his career, Daniel has held key roles at Fortune 500 companies, serving as a Cybersecurity Architect, Cloud Security Architect, Senior Cloud Security Engineer, and Cloud Security Manager. His passion lies in helping others break into tech, build real-world skills, and succeed in high-impact security roles.

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Q: Can you tell us a little about your journey into cloud security and how you became passionate about mentoring others?

A: Absolutely! My journey into cloud security started right after college. Like many others, I was applying everywhere—submitting over 100 applications—and eventually landed a role as an Azure Support Engineer for a Microsoft partner.

That was my first real exposure to working hands-on with cloud technology, and it sparked my passion for understanding how cloud service providers operate and how to implement new tech in real environments.

As I grew in my career and found success in corporate America, I realized that knowledge is meant to be shared. I’m a naturally caring person, and I know how hard it can be to break into this field. So if I can make that path easier for someone else, I’m all in. That’s what drives my passion for mentoring—helping others create real opportunities for themselves through tech.

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Q: What would you say has been the most rewarding part of mentoring others in the cybersecurity field?

A: The most rewarding part of being a mentor is witnessing growth firsthand—whether it's seeing a mentee finally grasp a complex concept or watching someone I’ve mentored land their first six-figure role.

That kind of transformation is powerful. It reminds me that sharing knowledge isn’t just about teaching—it’s about changing lives and helping people unlock their full potential in this industry.

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Q: How has mentoring others influenced your own career and development?

A: Mentoring others has had a huge impact on my own growth. It constantly pushes me to revisit and reinforce core concepts that I may use in my day-to-day, but don’t always take time to reflect on.

It also plays a big role in developing my leadership skills, empathy and accountability. Mentorship isn’t just about helping others grow—it’s a two-way street that sharpens your own mindset and elevates how you show up in your career.

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Q: Can you share a specific moment or success story where mentoring made a real difference in someone’s career?

A: Absolutely. One that stands out is a mentee I worked with who had no prior ex[erience in the tech industry. He was brand new to the field but had the drive and willingness to learn. Through consistent mentorship and guidance, he was not only able to pass the Security+ certification, but also landed his first role in tech shortly after.

Moments like that remind me why I do this—sometimes all someone needs is support, direction, and someone who believes in them.

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Q: What benefits do you believe mentoring brings to the cybersecurity and cloud security industries as a whole?

A: Mentorship is powerful because it allows us to pass knowledge forward. I was fortunate to have someone mentor me when I was starting out in cybersecurity, and now it’s my responsibility to do the same for others.

Beyond that, the industry is facing a real skills gap—there are thousands of unfilled cybersecurity roles, but not enough qualified individuals to fill them. Mentoring helps bridge that gap by developing talent, building confidence, and preparing more people with the real-world skills they need to step into those roles and succeed.

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Q: For those looking to become mentors in tech or cloud security, what advice would you give?

A: I'd say you can start off with building your presence, especially on social media. That’s where you’ll get the chance to connect with people who are genuinely interested in learning from you and growing in the field.

At the same time, be intentional about who you mentor. Take time to understand their goals and level of commitment before fully investing your time. Not everyone is ready to put in the work, and that’s okay—but as a mentor, your energy is valuable. Focus on those who are serious about growth and willing to show up.

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Q: What do you see as the future of mentoring in cybersecurity, and how do you plan to continue supporting the next generation?

A: The future of mentorship in cybersecurity is all about access, community, and real-world readiness. As the industry evolves, we need mentorship programs that go beyond theory—programs that offer hands-on experience, career guidance, and a strong support system for those breaking into the field.

With Hacker Proof HQ, the goal is to create a platform that consistently provides real value—through mentorship, curated resources, live sessions, and community-driven events. I want to ensure that anyone, regardless of background, has a pathway into cybersecurity and a community that helps them thrive.

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