If it doesn't matter, why did the previous poster mention them?
It's pretty clearly a type of argument called an "appeal to authority", where an authority is cited to add credibility to a position. It's usually considered a pretty weak form of argument, but it can be effective. So the credibility of the cited authority is relevant.
Who cares what you think of someone else’s qualifications?
It’s just someone quoting someone to help ground their position.
What if it was a journalist writing about a security vulnerability then a programmer quoting them, would that count then?
If it doesn't matter, why did the previous poster mention them?
It's pretty clearly a type of argument called an "appeal to authority", where an authority is cited to add credibility to a position. It's usually considered a pretty weak form of argument, but it can be effective. So the credibility of the cited authority is relevant.