We Are IT | Meet Phil Kraemer

Born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, Phil Kraemer moved to the U.S. for college, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and classics from Beloit College and a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University. His passion for technology began during his time in the Army. Since 2015, Philip has served as the Information Security Training Coordinator at FSU, overseeing security training, disaster recovery, and phishing simulations. Outside of work, he enjoys following international soccer, collecting Star Wars memorabilia, and spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. 

Where are you from?  

I grew up in Bangkok, Thailand. I graduated from high school there and then moved back to the United States for college. 

Where did you attend school?  

I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and classics from Beloit College, a small liberal arts college in Wisconsin, and my master’s degree in administration with a focus on information resource management from Central Michigan University. 

Why did you choose to work in technology? 

My passion for technology began during my role as a legal administrator in the Army, where I managed servers, secured legal data, and oversaw IT operations for the JAG Corps in the National Capital Region. After retiring, I transitioned to IT roles in law firms and project management where I helped with training, help desk support, and LMS systems. My current role combines my passion for teaching with my background in cybersecurity and technology. 

How long have you been at FSU?  

April 2015. Excitingly, my ten-year anniversary is coming up soon.  

What is your role at FSU?  

I am an information security training coordinator for the Information Security and Privacy Office team at ITS. I am responsible for all information security training for the university. I also help work on disaster recovery for ITS, credit card processing compliance and the phishing simulation campaign for the university. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

My favorite part of my job is collaborating with different partners across campus, providing training and support as needed, and building connections along the way. In my office, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie, and I think that collegial spirit extends across FSU, with everyone working toward a common goal. 

What is the most rewarding project you have worked on at FSU?    

Cybersecurity Awareness Month has been a very rewarding one because I like to see people get involved in cybersecurity and raising awareness about the importance of it. 

What is your favorite app?  

My favorite app is The Score because it lets me track sports by leagues and set favorites to stay updated. As a big soccer fan, I follow teams from England, Germany, and Italy, so I use it to keep up with matches and news. I have a lot of apps, but this is one I check a lot 

If you were to invent one piece of technology, what would it be? 

I would design a training platform that is more intuitive on how you set up your training to deploy to a large organization. I work closely with these platforms and a lot of the time I think there must be a better way out there. 

What is a fun fact about you?     

I collect Star Wars memorabilia. I have them displayed in my personal office and throughout the house. 

Talk a little bit about your family. 

My wife and I have been married for over 32 years. We have three daughters and a son.  

What do you do in your free time? 

I have five wonderful grandchildren and cherish every moment I get to spend with them. And when we’re not with family, my wife and I enjoy traveling, concerts, and working on projects around the house.