Due to graduate this December, his post-graduate path looks much different today than when he entered college. A Police Academy graduate who also spent eight years as a naval corpsman serving with the Marines, Brother Sivalingam entered Cal State-Chico pre-med with the intent to study cellular and molecular biology. However, he became intrigued by issues of data security and assurance and switched his focus to technology. The university even let Sivalingam design his own major. “When I got to Chico State, I was offered the opportunity to create a major to deal with cybercrimes and cyber terrorism and I did using management information systems (a major within the College of Business). I then added classes from computer science mixed along with international politics and a touch of criminal justice. Most of the work I have done is helping companies such as banks and financial institutions. I have done a few speaking roles at conferences where my team and I would do live hacks in front of the crowd to let them see what it is like from the attacker’s side as well as the victim.”

Sivalingam says his time studying medicine gave him the tools to excel in this challenging field. He compares computer systems to the human body and the study of their viruses to microbiology as “we take viruses apart and look at the anatomy of how they are developed.” He also credits the military for enhancing his cyber warfare skills. “I was what is known as a ground pounder or operator. I was on the ground, but when we did raids on enemy camps or strongholds, I would be the one on the team that would have to gather whatever data I could to turn over to intelligence to analyze.”

The Fraternity also receives a lot of credit for helping Brother Sivalingam succeed in this career path. “Delta Sigma Pi gave me a chance to meet other people with a determined drive for success. I do want to say that degrees are too confined today – they need to be more dynamic and combined. In today’s business, you have to have the flexibility to perform in different scenarios from finance, to marketing to technology.” He also appreciates the fraternal camaraderie. “I love the large events when I get to meet brothers from other campuses. My favorite event is initiation. Since I am a Mason, I really respect Ritual and I like looking into the symbolism and acts within the Rituals of Delta Sigma Pi, the deeper meanings each item and word has and how it reflects upon the brotherhood.”

Looking ahead to life after college, “I like teaching and presenting on security issues and working in a scientific environment by taking on a hacking incident and reverse engineering it to find how to solve the problem. That is what my [home] lab was based on. I am working with a security consulting start-up here in the bay, along with working at the college as a network technician-security. I’ve realized that my degree has not taken me far and companies value certifications more, so I am currently working on a few. I am trying to stay in the field of IT as a cyber security officer.” Brother Sivalingam is the first to admit there are definite drawbacks to his desired profession. “It can be difficult at times because having knowledge in hacking scares many people so I can only reveal it to certain people who understand it. Even when attacks happen at Chico State, I have been the first person blamed even though I have helped them by finding attacks happening to the campus and advising their security department on how to stop it. That is the bad part of my job – to find vulnerabilities in systems means someone is not doing their job right.”

Away from his computer, Sivalingam likes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, something he started while stationed at Camp Pendleton. "I’ve taken Gold at the U.S. Open, Silver at the American Cup and Bronze at the Gracie Open.”


AJ poses with his veteran service dog, Freyja, who went through the pledging process with him.

We’re always looking for fascinating brothers to profile on our website and magazine. If you have someone in mind, please reach out to us at magazine@dsp.org.

By: Stacy Heyderhoff, Cincinnati Alumni