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Openness and assistance: Discussions on exactly why diverse representation within cybersecurity matters

Security Stories podcastSecurity Stories PodcastI can honestly say that both discussions featured in the most recent bout of the Security Stories podcast have inspired and motivated me above all else has recently.

I am hoping that as many folks as possible reach pay attention to this episode. And I’m not at all just saying that for my podcast stats ?

Diversity in cybersecurity discussion

Firstly, I swept up with my co-host Noureen Njoroge, in addition to Leticia Gamill, Cisco’s Channel leader for Latin and Canada America, and Matt Watchinski, Vice President of Cisco Talos.

Together, we discuss an essential topic in cybersecurity: the importance of diverse representation, and what that may do for the.

Leticia oversees associates based across seven countries, and is really a passionate supporter of diversity in cybersecurity. This past year she created a non-profit called LATAM Ladies in Cybersecurity to encourage more ladies in Florida and Latin America to enter the field.

As the first choice of Talos, the biggest commercial threat intelligence group in the global world, Matt oversees all of the intelligence activities essential to support our security products that keep customers safe.

Matt is really a huge ally for diversity in cybersecurity. Within Talos, a culture has been developed by him and a hiring policy that ensures voices from multiple backgrounds could be heard.

And undoubtedly most regular Security Stories listeners know my co-host Noureen already, but in case that is your first-time listening just, Noureen is really a threat intelligence customer engineer. She’s the founder of Cisco’s global cybersecurity mentoring forum, twice per month running mentoring events.

She’s also the founder of the Mentors and Mentees ladies in Cybersecurity group on LinkedIn and the president of NEW YORK Ladies in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Affiliate chapter.

Noureen is listed on the list of Top 30 Most Admired Minority Professionals in Cybersecurity by SeQure World Magazine, of the entire year 2020 award and was recently crowned winner of the Cybersecurity Woman.

Together, we discuss what leaders could be doing to make sure they’re hiring from the diverse pool of talent, and where they are able to hire people beyond the most common recruitment channels. We also discuss how organizations can create a culture of mentoring in order that members of diverse teams can feel valued, and retainment levels are strong.

Meeting Mike Hanley

Our CISO story for this episode is Cisco’s new Chief Information Security Officer, Mike Hanley.

Mike steps in to the role of CISO for Cisco after spending five years with Cisco Duo. He joined to perform Duo Labs originally, and was soon asked by Dug Song to be Vice President of Security also to build and nurture the team around him.

During our chat, Mike discusses what recent months have already been like after stepping in to the role of CISO for Cisco in the center of a global pandemic.

An extremely revealing note for me personally: I don’t think there is a remedy that Mike gave where he didn’t make reference to his team. Folks are the most important facet of his role clearly, and in this interview you can view why exactly.

Actually, here’s a comment Mike shared that particularly struck a chord with me:

“I’m constantly in awe of the innovative ideas that individuals in my team produce to solve problems. I’ve middle-school teachers, designers, engineers, and so many more fields of expertise in my own team – and every one of them has taken something really unique and significant.”

From the significance of hiring diverse talent, to creating a culture of appreciation, openness and fun (he used the term fun six times in the initial short while – I was keeping count!), Today mike’s interview is really a fascinating listen for anybody leading a team.

Episode time stamps

0.00 Intro
02:27 Discussion on diversity in cybersecurity
46:49 Mike Hanley interview
1h 26: Closing remarks

Play the episode

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