IBM Consultant Helps Bridge Cloud Strategy and Cybersecurity
Christian Eppich, a 2025 Cedarville computer science graduate, now works as an IBM associate consultant, helping connect cloud strategy and cybersecurity with business needs while applying leadership, ethics and technical skills developed in college.
When global corporations need fresh talent to tackle high-stakes cloud and cybersecurity challenges, they’re turning to recent college graduates ready to make an immediate impact.
In 2025, Christian Eppich earned his undergraduate degree in computer science from Cedarville University. Today, he’s serving as an associate consultant for IBM in Washington, D.C., to help protect systems people rely on every day.
In his role, Eppich brings together engineers, clients and organizational leaders from IBM to help transform complex technical designs into practical business solutions. From aligning cloud strategies to strengthening cybersecurity efforts, his work ensures critical systems across both public and private sectors remain secure, efficient and dependable.
“On a day-to-day basis, I’m coordinating between the technology and the business sides of IBM,” Eppich said. “I regularly work with engineers, but I’m also meeting with clients and leadership to help direct what’s being built and why.”
As an associate consultant, Eppich’s responsibilities resemble those of a product owner or project liaison. His work with engineers, developers, senior leadership and clients requires Eppich to balance technical abilities with effective communication, leadership and judgment — especially in industries where technology is rapidly evolving.
“In consulting, I’m constantly working with different personalities,” added Eppich. “It’s important to be able to communicate clearly and make sure everyone understands the direction we’re heading.”
Whether supporting cybersecurity frameworks or cloud-based systems, Eppich plays a pivotal role in ensuring that projects are coordinated and strategic.
A Senior Semester That Prepared Him
Looking back, Eppich said his final semester at Cedarville gave him an unexpected preview of professional life.
“I kind of have to chuckle,” he said. “Pretty much all four of my classes in my final semester were directly related to what I do every day.”
During that semester, he completed Senior Design, Applied Leadership, Engineering Ethics and a machine learning and artificial intelligence elective. Senior Design, a yearlong capstone project, required him to lead a team of engineers, manage deadlines and solve complex problems — tasks that now mirror his consulting work.
Applied Leadership strengthened his ability to lead conversations and work effectively with diverse personalities, while Engineering Ethics provided a framework for responsible decision-making.
Cyber Leadership Training Meets Growing Workforce Demand
Demand for cybersecurity-related roles is growing rapidly in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts will rise 29% in the next eight year. This growth is much faster than the average for all occupations.
Cedarville’s cyber operations program — recognized by the National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity — is one example of how academic programs are aligning with employer needs and industry standards.
Eppich said those program elements made him a stronger candidate and helped him step into work that matters quickly after graduation.
Eppich’s experience illustrates how classroom training, ethical formation and real-world projects can align with employer needs. His path suggests a practical playbook: capstone teams that mirror industry, leadership practice and an emphasis on ethical technology.
About Cedarville University
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.