Maria Schmidt is a cybersecurity expert who has spent years on the front lines of the digital world. After earning her Master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University’s top-ranked cybersecurity program, she worked as a threat analyst for a federal government agency in Washington, D.C., where she helped protect critical national infrastructure from digital threats.

Her experience gave her a unique insight into the methods used by hackers and the vulnerabilities that affect us all. Now, she has shifted her focus to public education, driven by the belief that the strongest defense is a well-informed user. For EduEarth4U, Maria breaks down complex security topics like phishing, malware, and data privacy into simple, actionable steps that anyone can take to protect themselves and their families online.

An ethical hacking enthusiast, Maria spends her spare time participating in “capture the flag” cybersecurity competitions and contributing to open-source security projects.