Meet John Kim - Security Application Consultant at The Missing Link
At The Missing Link, our people are what set us apart. Their expertise, commitment, and care underpin the outcomes we deliver for our clients every day. Through this series, we spotlight the individuals behind the roles, sharing the experiences and interests that shape who they are and the culture we’re proud to build.
From growing up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to building a career in cybersecurity, John’s path hasn’t followed a straight line. Early interests in gaming, writing, and technology, balanced with time spent at the beach, led him through network engineering, teaching, and penetration testing, before landing in application security. Now an Application Security Consultant, John specialises in offensive security, working closely with teams and clients to identify risk and strengthen applications. Outside work, he balances the technical with tennis, miniature painting, and reading.
Let’s take five minutes to get to know him better.
So, John, tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up, and what were your
interests as a kid?
I was born in South Korea and migrated to Australia in 2002, settling in Dee Why on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Growing up, I was big on computer games, fantasy novels, and spending as much time as possible at the beach.
Growing up, what did you imagine you’d do for a living? And what was your first paid job?
I had a lot of dream jobs; I couldn’t narrow it down. Game developer, chef, writer… pretty much anything creative. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d end up as a professional hacker.
My first ever job was as a night filler at Woolworths, working from 10 pm to 6 am. That’s where I truly mastered the art of being a night owl!
How did your career unfold from there?
It’s been a bit of a winding road. I started as a Woolworths night filler, then became a night filling manager. From there, I moved into an Optus network engineering cadetship, followed by working as a university tutor and lecturer. Eventually, I transitioned into penetration testing, which led me to my current role as an Application Security Specialist.
Looking back on that journey, what would you say is your biggest personal or professional achievement?
Nothing too flashy, but I genuinely see my current role as a major achievement. I pushed through a lot of hurdles to really understand cybersecurity, then specialised in offensive security and application security. I love what I do and take a lot of pride in my work, which makes it an achievement in my book.
What stood out to you about The Missing Link when you were considering your next move?
I was looking for a new challenge where I could take on more responsibility and really dive deeper into application security.
The Missing Link was brought up, and I’d heard great things about the social side of the business, which really drew me in. For me, team dynamics and work culture mean above all else, and that’s the kind of environment I’ve always chased.
What’s your role at The Missing Link? What do you love most about your
role?
I'm an Application Security Consultant, working with Jack Misiura, my manager. I love that we have so much freedom to explore what services we provide and how we take them to the next level. There’s also a lot of flexibility when it comes to upskilling and leaning into our individual specialities. The AppSec team is small, just five of us, and we’re a close-knit group. That makes it easy to discuss, review, and act quickly, in a way that closely resembles a start-up and keeps me on my toes.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself professionally in a few years?
I’d love to continue growing as an application security consultant. That said, I’ve been lucky to work with some incredible role models at The Missing Link. Long term, I’d love to step into a people leadership role and pass on the same kind of mentorship I’ve received to the next generation.
Outside of work, are you much of a tech enthusiast? Any favourite gadgets?
I wouldn’t call myself a tech-freak at all. I do enjoy my smart home setup, lights turning on at sunset, music waking me up, but nothing too over the top.
Right now, my favourite gadget is my gift-to-myself Switch 2. I used to be a big PC gamer, but after a long day, I’m much happier on the couch playing Pokémon or digital board games.
If money weren't an issue, describe your dream day.
I’m a big promoter of fun activities and doing things that feel special. I’d love to recreate the helipad tennis match between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, BASE jump down to a beach, swim with sea creatures like you’d see at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan, and wind down at a resort in Oia, Santorini, with a bottle of wine at sunset.
And to finish? Seeing the aurora borealis somewhere like Iceland, with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.
And on a more typical weekend, what can we usually find you doing?
Weekends are all about life admin. I actually love cleaning, so I’ll usually start there, then hit a local market to pick up cooking ingredients for the week ahead.
After that, it’s catching up with friends at local breweries, a game of tennis at Melbourne Park, or winding down with couch gaming and English Premier League replays.
Go Wolves!
What else keeps you busy outside work - hobbies, passions, or pets?
I’ve recently gotten into tennis, thanks to some very persuasive tennis advocates at work. My backhand is definitely a work in progress.
When I’m at home, I enjoy miniature painting and diving into the Warhammer universe, which pairs nicely with my long-time love of reading novels. I also have a 12-year-old domestic shorthair cat named Alice. I adopted her from a shelter almost 13 years ago, and she’s been with me through six homes and two states. She’s my gal.
Finally, what’s the best thing about living in your city?
Melbourne’s ease of getting around is hard to beat. The city has a great transportation system, with frequent trains and trams, and the roads are easy to follow, which means I don’t have to worry about Google Maps navigation too much. Couple that with some amazing food and bar spots and endless things to do, and even 40-hour days wouldn’t be enough!
Though if I can let you in on a secret, I miss the Sydney beaches so much that I’m planning to move back to Sydney.
If you liked this article, you may also like:
