Rafael Pena
About Rafael Pena
Rafael Pena is a Security Researcher specializing in field engineering, currently working at Trellix since 2021. He has extensive experience in cybersecurity, including roles at McAfee and a background in engineering and telecommunications.
Work at Trellix
Rafael Pena currently holds the position of Security Researcher in Field Engineering at Trellix, a role he has occupied since 2021. In this capacity, he engages in cyber threat research, focusing on providing threat information related to malware samples. He also conducts PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and PUA (Potentially Unwanted Applications) reviews to enhance cybersecurity measures. Additionally, Rafael provides workshops to Customer Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to refine their operational procedures and risk assessment strategies.
Previous Experience at McAfee
Before joining Trellix, Rafael Pena worked at McAfee for a total of five years, from 2014 to 2021. His roles included EMEA Business Support Malware Specialist and EMEA Tier II Gold Business Support Malware Specialist. In these positions, he was responsible for malware identification and support, leveraging his expertise to assist in high-profile incident response cases. His experience at McAfee contributed to his development as a security researcher with a focus on malware analysis.
Education and Expertise
Rafael Pena has a strong educational background in engineering and telecommunications. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering from Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, where he studied from 2000 to 2006. He later obtained a Master of Science in Wireless Networks and Telecommunications from Queen Mary University of London, completing his studies in 2008. His academic training has equipped him with the technical skills necessary for his roles in cybersecurity and threat research.
Cybersecurity Contributions
Rafael Pena actively contributes to the field of cybersecurity through various initiatives. He authors blogs and content related to cybersecurity and malware research, sharing insights and findings with the community. He has also developed Python scripts for cybersecurity applications and authored detection signatures for malware identification. His work with the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat analysis further demonstrates his commitment to enhancing cybersecurity measures.
Background and Early Career
Rafael Pena began his career in the IT field as an IT consultant at Malvern House in London, where he worked from 2010 to 2014. This role provided him with foundational experience in technology and support services. His transition to McAfee marked a significant step in his career, allowing him to focus on cybersecurity and malware analysis, which has been a central theme in his professional journey.