tistrulyanexcitingtimetobeinthecybersecurity
Iindustrytoday.Afteralotofcompaniesgotcaught withmajorsecuritybreaches,theneedtohavearobust andsecuredframeworkhasstartedgainingtraction.Today, securitythreatshavebecomeaseriousconcernfor companiesofalltypesandsizes.
Thegoodnewsistherehasbeenthedevelopmentofmany cutting-edgetechnologiesthatcanminimizecyberrisksand givebusinessesacompetitiveedge.But,theindustryis facingseveretalentshortages.
Nowherethequestionarises;howcansuchalucrative industryfacesuchagrowingtalentgap?Thetrained professionalsthatareavailableintheindustryarejustnot keepingupwiththedemand.
Well,diversityintheworkforceistheelephantintheroom thatneedstobeaddressedsignificantly
Theindustrybeingoccupiedbytoomanymenisnota problem;theactualdilemmaistherearenotenoughwomen intheindustry Today,thereisanever-increasingneedfor educated,talented,andenthusiasticcybersecurity professionals,andwomenhavegotitall.
Womenhavedisplayedthattheyarenotlimitedby anything.Eveninthecybersecurityindustry,wehave witnessedwomen,whohavemadetheirmarkswiththeir profoundknowledge,proficienttechnicalandleadership skills,andremarkabletalent.Byutilizingtheirdeep knowledgeoftheindustryandunderstandingtheneedsof theirclients,theyhavedevelopedinnovativeandeffective securityproducts,services,andprograms.
Therealsohavebeenwomenwhoarenotonly advancingattheircareersbutalsocarvingwaysfor theupcominggeneration.
Inthiseditionof "The 10 Most Eminent Women Leaders in Security",wehavehighlightedsuch womenleaderswhohavedynamicallycontributedto thegrowthofthecybersecurityindustry.
Onthecover,wehaveNitaWhite-Ivy,theChief HumanResourcesOfficeratBlackBerry.Seven yearsago,NitajoinedJohnChen,Executive ChairmanandCEO,atBlackBerry.Shewashiredto headandreshapetheglobalHRfunctionthatwould effectivelysupportBlackBerry'sturnaround.As BlackBerry'sCHRO,shehasbeenfortunateto witness,participateinandcontributetothe transformationjourneyofthecompanywithasmall groupofhighlydedicated,collaborative,agile,and 'get-it-done/make-it-happen'globalHR professionals.
Youwillalsofindothereminentwomenwhohave inspired,innovatedandsetthestageforthewomen aspiringtoventureintothecybersecurityspace.
Also,whileflippingthepages,donotforgettoread insightfulCxOviewpointsandcreativearticles writtenbyourin-houseeditorialteam.
FeaturedPerson
ElizabethMoslander Manager SecurityAdvisor
CapitalOne capitalone.com
AtCapitalOne,itsmissionistochangebankingforgoodby bringinghumanity,ingenuityandsimplicitytobanking.
Eliza-MayAustin CEO&Co-Founder
EmmaSmith GlobalCyber SecurityDirector
EricaSmith VicePresidentof BusinessOperations
EvgeniyaNaumova EVPCorporate BusinessDeputyCBDO Commercial
th4ts3cur1ty.company th4ts3cur1ty.company
Vodafone vodafone.com
GlobalLearning Systems globallearning systems.com
th4ts3cur1ty.companyspecializesindeliveringintelligence leadadversaryemulationpurpleteaming&thebespoke buildingofSecurityOperationCenters.
Vodafoneisaleadingtelecommunicationscompanykeeping societyconnectedandbuildingadigitalfutureforeveryone.
GLSisoneofthemosthighlyacclaimedprovidersofsecurity awarenesstrainingandcompliancetraininginthemarket, offeringe-learningsince1990andcybersecuritytrainingsince 2006.
Kasperskyisaglobalcybersecuritycompanyfoundedin1997.Kaspersky kaspersky.com
JennyJohanson SeniorAdvisor RSMAustraliaPtyLtd rsm.com.au
RSMAustraliaiscommittedtoenablingclientsthrougha greaterunderstandingofwhatmattersmosttotheirbusiness.
LeighDow VicePresidentof GlobalMarketing
MarcieNagel Founder,CEO
Identiv identiv.com
Identivisagloballeaderinseamlessauthenticationand securitysolutions.
NitaWhite-Ivy CHRO
SusieJones Co-founder&CEO
AvintLLC avintllc.com
Avint'svisionistoharnesstheexpertiseofworldclasscyber andphysicalsecurityleaders,technologistsandinnovatorsto helpclientstransformtheirsecurityposture.
BlackBerry blackberry.com
BlackBerryisdeliveringthenextgenerationofcloudbased artificialintelligence(AI)cybersecuritysolutionstoaddress todayandtomorrow’scybersecuritythreatsandensure organizationsofallsizesremainsafe,secure,andproductive.
CynchSecurity cynch.com.au CynchSecurityisacybersecurityfirmthatintendstobuilda worldwhereeverybusinesscanbecyberfit.
believe in the art of balancing your heart and your mind to achieve a better understanding, appreciation and consideration of multiple and generational people perspectives.
Nita White-Ivy CHRO BlackBerry
Acompany’sgreateststrengthisitspeoplewhose effortsdriveitssuccess.Thebiggestchallengeisto appointtherightpeopleforthejobandmanage themaccordingly ThisiswhereHRleaderscomeintothe picture.Theystrivetobuildateamofexcellentindividuals throughjobarchitecture,performancedefinitionand assessment,recognition,andrewardforsuccess,and developingleadershipcapabilities.
BeinganHRprofessionalmeanstakingtheresponsibility ofacaretakerforthecompany’swholehumanresource functionalityandhelpingmembersachievetheirmaximum performance.Inthecurrentpandemicsituation,HR practitionerstakefrontlineresponsibilityforsafeguarding employees’health,morale,andproductivity,inadditionto preservingthecompany’sculture,teamspiritand communication.Amongstthose,onesuchexpertHRleader isNitaWhite-Ivy,ChiefHumanResourcesOfficerat BlackBerry
Sevenyearsago,NitajoinedJohnChen,Executive ChairmanandCEO,atBlackBerry.Shewashiredtohead andreshapetheglobalHRfunctionthatwouldeffectively
supportBlackBerry’sturnaround.AsBlackBerry’s CHRO,shehasbeenfortunatetowitness,participatein andcontributetothetransformationjourneyofthe companywithasmallgroupofhighlydedicated, collaborative,agileand‘get-it-done/make-it-happen’ globalHRprofessionals.
BlackBerryhasbeenknownthroughouttheworldasthe inventorofsecuresmartphonesandhandsetsthat changedtheworldandhowwework,thentransformedto aleadingsoftwarecompanywithastandardofsecurityto managetheendpointswithintheenterprise.Today, BlackBerryisdeliveringthenextgenerationofcloudbasedartificialintelligence(AI)cybersecuritysolutionsto addresstodayandtomorrow’scybersecuritythreatsand ensureorganizationsofallsizesremainsafe,secure,and productive.BlackBerryisalsoaleaderintheIoTand embeddedsoftwaresystemsmarketwithitssoftware installedinover500millionconnectivedevicesincluding over195millionvehicles.
Thepandemichasbeenanunprecedentedchallengeto companiesincludingthecomputersoftwareindustryand theirHRorganizations.Unfortunately,thereisno“bestpracticebox”todrawfromforHRpractitionerstomeet andsolvethechallenges,uncertainties,andissueseach daybrings.Nitadescribes,fortheBlackBerryHRteam, themostpreciousresultsofnavigatingthepandemichave beenfindingteamsthatbondedmorecloselytogetherand caredforeachotheramidstthegreaterneedand expectationforHRsupport,guidanceandcommunication fromglobalmanagementandemployees.Itisan experienceofsatisfactionofseeingthecompany’sHR BusinessContinuityProgramworkingeffectivelyand timelyindeliveringglobalHRservicesandtransactions.
AtBlackBerry,theHRteamisensuringthatthecompany achievesitsforemostobjectivesofprotectingthehealth andsafetyofitsemployeesandmaintainingongoingand closeHRcommunicationwiththepeopleleadersand employees.Theteamisalsokeepingabreastoflocal governmentandhealthauthorities’directives/mandates andensuringcompanycompliance.
AccordingtoNita,tofacecertainpredominanthuman resourcechallengesthereisneedtobuildstrong partnershipamongHR,management,andemployees.
challengesinclude
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Our people are at the very heart of BlackBerry- and the reason for our success. Our diverse employee community is built on integrity, innovation, accountability and respect.
Ÿ Winthetalentwarinthisextremelycompetitivemarket.
Besides,Nitabelievesthatthepaceoftechnological innovationandexponentialgrowthofdevice interconnectivitycreatesvulnerabilitiesataratefew organizationscanhandle.Furthermore,whenoneaddsthe steadyriseofstate-sponsoredcyberattacksandglobal remoteworktotheequation,itisclearthattoday’sbusiness environmentisrifewithcyber-chaos,forcingsecurityteams toscrambletoaddressanexpandingattacksurfaceinthe faceofanincreasinglysophisticatedthreatlandscape.
Thebiggestchangethatanindividual/organizationcan bringaboutistotakeazero-trustapproachtocybersecurity acrossallendpointswhethertheyarecars,smartphones, laptops,oranyotherdevice.Thisapproachleverages artificialintelligence,machinelearning,andautomationto provideimprovedthreatpreventionandremediation,while offeringvisibilityacrossallendpointsforbetter managementandcontrol.Andthesesolutionsshould requirelittletonosupportfromenduserssothattheycan haveafullyfrictionlessandsecureexperiencewiththe endpoint.
Whenitcomestogivingbacktothecommunity,Nitastates thatBlackBerry’scharitablegivingfocusesonbetteringthe livesofdisadvantagedyouthandvulnerablewomeninthe areasofshelter,nutrition,education,health,andwellbeing.
Nitastatesthatwiththeteamofcommunity-minded employees,BlackBerrybelievesthereisgreatpotentialto makelastingimpactsinlocalcommunities. “It is through our combined efforts, that we can truly help the communities in which we live and work,” Nitaasserts.
BlackBerryalsorecognizesthatthesecurityindustryhasa sizeableskillsgapforAIcybersecurityprofessionals.As CHROforBlackBerry,NitaandtheHRteamlaunched numerousinternaltrainingandmentorshipprograms,and workcloselywithseniormanagementtoassistseveral universitiesleveluptheircybersecurityofferings.
BlackBerryisconstantlyfindingnewwaystocontributeto thecommunity,frompartneringwithCarletonUniversity’s newlyestablishedWomeninEngineeringandInformation TechnologyProgramtoitspartnershipwithGirlGuidesof Canada.Bothcommitmentsreinforcethecompany’spledge towardafuturethatempowersyoungwomentocarveout successfulcareersinSTEMandstriveforleadership positions.
BlackBerry devices brought safety to the workforce. Our security is safeguarding the world.
‘‘ ‘‘
‘‘
BlackBerry is a proud and determined civic leader. Our employees are passionate, mobilized and empowered to actively participate in volunteer activities and environmentally friendly initiatives everywhere we live and work. ‘‘
Lastyear,BlackBerryannouncedapartnershipwithThe UniversityofWindsortodevelopanddelivera cybersecuritycurriculumfortheUniversity’sGraduate Master’sPrograminAppliedComputing.Thecurriculum, calledBlackBerryBootcamp,willbepartofarequired NetworkSecuritycourse,andcompletionofthecurriculum willaccountforaportionofthestudent’sfinalgrade.The Bootcampcoversarangeofcybersecuritytopicsincluding AI,digitalidentityprotectionandprivacy,software engineering,thelatesttechniquesofcybercriminals, advancedthreatdetectiontechnologies,andmore.
Nitaadvisesemergingwomenentrepreneurstolearningindepth,asmuchaspossible,everyfacetofHR(HRBusiness Partnership,DE&I,EmployeeandExecutiveCompensation andBenefits,TalentAcquisition,HROperations/Services, HRISandAnalytics,EmployeeRelationsandInternal Investigations,University/CampusRecruitment/Relations, TalentDevelopment&Training).Shesays, “Learn everything you can - not just what seems interesting or comfortable. In so doing, one will develop a solid and enriched HR skillset for career development and ability to mentor other HR employees.”
‘‘ ‘‘
BlackBerry and the University of Waterloo are engaged in the first ever innovative partnership with both parties wanting to break the mold.
uringthesecondworldwar,whenmalesoldiers
Dweredeployedonvariousfronts,womenhadto takeupjobstofeedtheirfamilies.Thiswasthe firstinstancewhenwomenstartedworkinginasignificant numberthanusual.Soonafter,thefeministmovementof the1960sledwomentoentertheworkforceinrecord numbers.Thisvigorousshiftfromsingle-earnerfamilyto two-earnerfamilyefficaciouslychangedthesocioeconomicstatusoftheworld.Further,thesignificantrisein girl’seducationbroadenedthecareeropportunitiesfor women.
However,themajorityofsectorswerestill underrepresentedbywomen.Cybersecurityisnoexception tothis,wherethegendergapisdecisive,andtherearealot ofcareeropportunitiesforwomen.Thesectorisalready facingthemajorshortageofcybersecurityexpertsandwith around20%oftheworkforce,womenareinsignificantin thisprofession.Thoughthepercentagehadrisenfrommere 11%in2013,therearelotofopportunitiestobeseizedin thisfield.
It’seasytocovertheproblemofunderemployedwomenby pointingoutthephrase–themendominantworld.But, diggingoutitsrootswillreallyhelptofindthesolutionsto thisstereotype.Itisawell-knownfactthatwomenare understaffedinscience,technology,engineering,and mathematics(STEM).
Afewdecadesago,womenwereonlylimitedtoartssector, especiallyinthehouse-holdartisticeducation.The evolutionoftheinternetsomehowhelpedtobroadenthe awarenessaboutSTEMeducationforwomen.
Itistheunbalancedprocesseventuallyresultinginamore one-sidedworkforce.
Thefirstinstancesofwomeninvolvementincybersecurity canbetracedduringthesecondworldwar,whenagroupof
girlscalled‘codegirls’,crackedGermanandJapanese codes,whichhelpedtogainsensitiveinformationofwar fronts.Sincethen,thegraphofwomen'semploymentwas risingbutataverylowrate,untiltheinternetevolution. Theworldwidespreadoftheinternetopenednewhorizons forwomenineverysector.Cybersecuritywasnoexception forthis.
Todaywomenencompassabout24%oftheworkforcein thecybersecuritysector Theyarenotonlyworkingonthe higherpositionsbutarealsocarryingoutspecialprojects andapproachingadvancedinnovationsinthissector.With theirextraordinaryachievements,somewomenbecamerole modelsfortheyounggenerations.However,thereisalong waytogo.Cybersecuritystillhasperceptionproblems aboutwomeninthefield.Thelackofgenderdiversity somehowindulgesthebalanceoftheteamandindoctrinates akindofunconsciousbias.Thissocietalapproachisneeded tobechanged.
Withtheboomintheinternetusers’community, cybersecurityisbeingchallengedmoreoftennow The worldhasswiftlyadaptedtodigitalworking,and cybersecuritygotimmenseimportancelikeneverbefore. Eachandeverysectorisgoingdigital,mayitbebanking, real-estatesector,medicalsector,orevengovernment administrations.Thenewmodule‘workfromhome’has alsoincreasedthechancesofmalwareattacks.Andthus, cybersecurityisingreatdemand.
Asoftoday,thereisaworldwidestaffingshortageofnearly 3millioninthecybersecuritysector Thesectorisalready experiencingashortageofwomenintheworkflow. Positively,theincreasingawarenessamongcollegegirls aboutworkingintechnicalfieldsismovingtheneedle rapidly,andmorewomenarelookingtobuildacareerin thissector Themindsetischanging,andsoarewe.
hangeisconstant,andtheleaderswhoadapttothe
Cchangesquicklycanthoroughlytransformtheir workwithauniquevision.Theyconstantly decipherthenecessitiesofadiresituationandimplytheir experienceinenhancingtheirproblem-solvingcapabilities. Theyfocusoncreatingaresults-centeredapproachtotheir work.Theseadministrativecharacteristicshavebroughta change,andleadersareadmiredforinfluencingenduring change.OnesuchleaderisEricaSmith,whohasmadeher markinthecybersecurityindustry.
EricaoverseestheBusinessOperationsastheVice PresidentatGlobalLearningSystems.Sheworksto createsoundprocessesandbestpracticestocultivateclient relationships.Shepartnerswithhercolleaguestohelp deliverproductsandservicestoorganizationsgloballywith onegoalinmind-tohelpthoseorganizationsfostera security-mindedcultureandchangetheiremployees' behavior Together,theysolveenterprisetrainingand compliancechallengesonaglobalscale,providing continuouslearning,automation,assessments,Managed Services,andmetricstoidentifygaps,showimprovement, andrealizegoals.
Ericaembarkedonhercorporatejourneyattheageof19. Shemanagedherstudiesandafull-timejobinFortune500 companyatentry-level.Interestinglyenough,shehadno desiretoremaininthecorporateworld.Shehadhersights setonateachingcareer.Shehasalwaysenjoyedthe satisfactionthatcomeswithhelpingpeoplegraspaconcept.
OnceEricahadcompletedherdegreeinChristian Education,shesetforthtomakehermoveawayfromthe corporateworld.Atthattime,thingsinherdepartment begantoshift,andamidtheshift,shefoundherselfcreating newwaystocompleteherdepartment'sworkinamore automatedfashion.Herideaswerewell-received,andfor thefirsttime,shefeltdrawntothecorporateworld.She likedsolvingcomplexbusinessautomationproblemsand thesuccessthatcamefromhersolutions.
Eventually,thenewsofErica'ssuccessfulprogramreached otherareasofthecompany.Sheoftenfoundherselfin situationswhereshewasexpectedtocompletetheworkof otherdepartments.Whenshewouldcompletethejobahead ofschedule,shewascriticizedfornotusingtheirtoolsand processes,whichwerearchaic.Thequalityofworkwas superiortopreviouswork,yetshewasconstantlyfacing oppositioninimplementingnewtoolsandstrategies.She approachedhermanagerabouttheseissuesandwastoldto continuetoadheretotheirprocesses.Shetookoneforthe team,andverydeflated,wentbacktodoingthework.
Eventually,Ericagrewtiredofthestepsbackwardand decideditwastimeforafreshstart.Littledidsheknow thenthatonedecisionwouldforeverchangeherlifeandher careertrajectory.ShewalkedintothedoorsofGlobal LearningSystemsinthefallof2003andwashiredonthe spot.Ithasn'talwaysbeensunshineandroses,therehave beenmajorchallengesandlearningcurvesalongtheway, buteachhasshapedherintotheleadersheistoday
DuringErica'stenureatGlobalLearningSystems,shehas beenapartofateamthatknowstolearnandcustomer service.Herteamhasdevelopedandimplemented successfulcybersecurityawarenesstrainingprogramsfor hundreds,ifnotthousands,ofsmall,medium,and enterpriseorganizationsacrosstheglobe.Itisexcitingto leadsuchatalented,diversegroupofpeople.
GLSlistentoitscustomersandimplementthesolutionsand servicestheyneedtosucceedintheircybersecurity awarenesstrainingprogram.Inthealmosteighteenyears shehasbeenatGLS,ithasseenthetrueculturechangein theorganizationsimplementingitsprogramsacrossall industries.Fromsmallbusinesstolargeenterprise,GLS handleseachcustomerliketheyareitsonlyone.It'shardto findthatlevelofserviceintoday'sfast-pacedworld,andit hasmadeallthedifference.
“As long as there is a human element within an organization, there must be training. New technological developments are wonderful and definitely needed as threats evolve; but cultivating best practices through engaging awareness training secures event the most vulnerable of organizations.”
Competitionisfierceinthisindustry.Cybersecuritytraining asasectorhasgrown,andthereseemstobeanother cybersecurityawarenesstrainingprovideremergingmore oftenthannot.Stayingrelevant,differentiated,andunique isakeymantraforErica'steameachdayastheyplan, develop,sell,manage,andlead.Theyhavefoundsuccessin mostoftheirideasandfailuresinothers.Buteveryday, theycomepreparedtotacklethedayandthechallengesit mayhold.Dedicationisplentifulonthisteam,andforthat, sheisgrateful!
OneconstantchallengeEricafaceswithherteamdailyis resourcing–whichisasignificant(butgood)problemto haveontheirhands.ThedemandforGLS'sproductsand servicesissteady,andduetoitstailoredsolutions,Erica's teamisattheforefrontofcustomerimplementationand engagement.Havingenoughresourcesseemstobethe biggestproblem.Theyareactivelyrecruitingandhiring newresourcestokeepupwithdemandinthemarketas wellascontinuouslyevaluatingbusinessoperationstowork smarter–notharder
Witheachnewcyberattack,theworldcomesknockingat GLS’sproverbialdoorlookingforsomeonewhocanhelp themavoidbecominganotherstatistic.It'sanexcitingtime tobepartofthetrainingsideofthecybersecurityindustry Knowledgetrulyispowerandthemoreyouknow,themore youcanprepare,prevent,andprevailagainstcybersecurity attacksbothatworkandathome.
Intheupcomingfuture,thegoalforGlobalLearning Systemsistotakeitsaward-winningcontentandservicesto allpartsoftheglobe.Throughitsgrowingpartnerchannel network,newproductsandservices,andsoon-coming platform,thereisnothingthatitcannotachieve.
Anothergoalistoexpanditsmarketingeffortswithin variousareas,includingmorevirtualevents,socialmedia, organicandpaidadvertising.GLSwillcontinuetoexpand itsstaffbyattractingfreshtalentthroughinternship
programsandveteranleaderswithinthecybersecurity industry.Internalprogramsandincentiveswillexpand, includingcommunityinvolvement,benefitandwellness programs,tuitionreimbursement,andscholarships.
Inheradvicetoemergingwomenentrepreneurs,Ericasays, "I would encourage women to step forward. Do not be deterred or intimidated by the vast knowledge in this industry or by the people that seem to have it. Be confident and take chances. Own your knowledge and experience and prove it through action rather than words."
“Having grown into one of Australia's leading professional services firms over the last ninety five years, RSM Australia is committed to enabling clients through a greater understanding of what matters most to their business.”
JennyJohanson SeniorAdvisor RSM
Inrecentyears,thelandscapeofthecybersecurity industryhaschangedwithinnovativetechnologydrivensolutions.Numerousofthesetechnologiesseek theirwayofferingenhancedworkmethodstocarryoutthe difficultprocessseamlessly.Itisessentialtoadapttothese changes,andindustryleadershavetowearmultiplehatsto handlevariousproblemsandprovidesuccessfulsolutions. JennyJohanson,SeniorAdvisoratRSMAustralia,is onesuchimpeccableleaderwhojugglesherrolestodeliver requiredresults.
Jennyisasenioradvisorandprovenpeopleleaderwitha combinedknowledgeofbusiness,auditservices,risk advisory,andinformationtechnology.Sheassists organizationsinevaluatingcontrolrequirementsagainst variousframeworksandpublications,includingthe InternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO), NationalInstituteofStandardsandTechnology(NIST), CenterforInternetSecurity(CIS),andCloudSecurity Alliance(CSA)securityframeworks.
Hurdlesaren'tnewtoJenny,asmostofherroleshavebeen transformationalinnature.However,thebiggestchallenge shefacesistoensurethetransformationalresultin successfuloutcomes.Shesays, "Managing attrition whilst ensuring the team focuses on their performance goals (both individually and collectively) and ensuring team engagement throughout the transformation are important elements to target in on. This has required strong attention to training and mentoring of both current and new team members.”
Throughoutherlife,Jennyhashadmanyimpactful influencesthatshealwayscarrieswithherself.Shesays, "I love to read when I have the time, and a couple of the books I return to are "Wonder Woman" by Virginia Haussegger (she also has a fabulous podcast: "BroadTalk"!), and "Stop Fixing Women" by Catherine Fox.”
"A big focus for me in the security industry is encouraging more women to take up roles – I have been involved in this industry for over thirty years, and it is still a predominantly male industry," addsJenny
Whilemaintainingthebalancebetweenherprofessional andpersonallife,Jenny'smainfocusistoplaytoher strengths.Sherecommendsnottotrytobeallthethingsto allpeople.Sheprioritizeshertimeandfocusesonwhat's urgentandimportant.Sheknowsherpeaksandtroughsand doesherbesttoplotsomepersonaltimeinthecalendar
Jennyasserts, "I would love to say I have set work hours and stick to them, but I can't honestly say that's the case! I also do strive to make exercise a "must-do, not a shoulddo.”
Talkingabouttheimpactofthepandemic,Jennymentions thatitdisruptedtheusualflowoftheworking arrangements.Sheexpressesthatmostindustrieshavehad todealwithevolvingtechnology,regulations,and
standards.Shewitnessedherteamandclientsbecoming accustomedtothedigitalprocess,whichwasoncethought impossible.
OneofthekeythingsthatRSMAustraliahasdoneisto bothnurtureexistingtalentthroughouttheCOVIDcrisis andfocusonwaystoattractnewtalent.
InJenny'sopinion,positiveworkcultureisanonnegotiableifyouwanttoattractandretaintoptalent,and that'stheprimarysourceforbusinesssuccess.Notonly that,butitisalsoreflectedinthewaycompaniestreattheir clients.
JennythinksRSMimplementsapositiveworkcultureby beingintentionalwithitscorevaluesandcultureinitiatives, promotingdiversityandinclusivity,valuingindividual differences,andfocusingonrecognitionprograms.
Whenitcomestogivingbacktothecommunities,RSM alwaysparticipates.Itdoesthatindifferentways,suchas contributingitsexpertisethroughprobonoBoardrolesand doingprobonoexternalauditworkforcharitiesandnonprofitorganizations.Italsoorganizesregulareventstoraise bothmoneyandawarenessforlocalandnationalcauses.
Whenaskedwhatchangeshewouldliketobringin financialserviceswithdigitalinnovationandtechnologies, Jennysays, "My number one bugbear is the complicated and "clunky" legacy systems we are often encumbered with. I would simplify legacy systems and continue to focus on
building architecture that allows both our teams and our clients to connect to anything, anywhere. And don't forget to pay attention to cyber security along the way.”
Jenny'svisionfortheCyberSecurityandPrivacyRisk Servicesteamistocontinuegrowinganddevelopingthe team,focusingonrecruitment,training,leadership,and culture.Shewouldlovetoseeherteamhavingareal impactonthebroaderRSMAustraliabusinessbyelevating thediscussionsitsclientshavearoundcybersecurity.
JennylovesSherylSandberg'squote:"Believeinyourself andownyourownsuccess"–don'tbeshyabouttouting youraccomplishments.
Inheradvicetoup-and-comingwomenentrepreneurs,she says, "Learn about and gain experience in a range of roles. But don't let work overtake your life – make sure you still find time for family and friends.”
"Lastly, establish good networks and relationships, build a public profile and take opportunities to speak and write about what you know," concludesJenny.
Leigh Dow Vice President Global Marke ng Iden v
Anyindustryisasstrongasthepeopleinit.The leadersintheindustrystrengthenthepositionof theircompaniesbydeliveringtransformative solutions.Theyfuelthegrowthoftheircompaniesby continuouslydrivinginnovationacrossthebusinessesto provideanenrichingexperiencetocustomers.They celebratethesuccessofeachotherandlearnfromtheir failures.Theypropelthevision,ideas,andstrategyoftheir companiesforward.Aningeniousleader,LeighDow,isan epitomeofthecharacteristicsmentionedabove.
LeighistheVicePresidentofGlobalMarketingat Identiv,agloballeaderinseamlessauthenticationand securitysolutionsthatdigitallysecuresthephysicalworld. Leighandherteamdesignstrategicmarketinginitiatives forIdentivthatdrivethemarketleadershipthatpropelsthe company’svisionandstrategyforward.Identiv’sultimate goalistopositionthecompanyasaleaderintransformative technologysolutionsforsecurity,safety,andidentity management.
ThemostchallengingaspectforLeighhasbeen restructuringandretoolingthemarketingdepartmenttofuel Identiv’sgrowthandcontinuedrivinginnovationacrossthe businesswhileestablishingagreatbrandexperienceforits customers.Inherrole,Leighhastobeagileenoughto capitalizeonopportunitieswhileexecutingtoplanand deliveringareturnonmarketinginvestment.
Leighusuallyfollowsan80/20ruleofleaving20percentof hercapacityopenforfreshideas,runningexperiments,and seizingashareofvoiceontrendingtopicsinthesecurity industry Thisgroupisn’tjustaboutmarketingcampaigns; herteamhasadirectimpactongrowthandmarket transformation.
OneofLeigh’sfavoritequotesisfromGeneralEric Shinseki: “If you don’t like change, you’ll like irrelevance even less” ThatquotehasalwaysstuckwithLeigh becausemarketingconstantlychanges,requiringoneto committobeingalifelonglearner.
Leighrecentlyread“EverybodyLies”bySethStephensDavidowitz,aneconomistandformerGoogledata scientist.Thebookisaboutthetracesofinformation peopleleaveacrosstheinternet.IttaughtLeighmore abouthowtoasktherightquestionsandresearchtrendsin abrand-newway.Marketingprosusedtosay,“contentis king”,buttoday’smarketingrealityis“dataisking”.
Sharingherviewsontheimpactofthepandemic,Leigh mentionsthatsecurityisanessentialpartofIdentiv’s infrastructure,andwhilethepandemichasimpacted everyoneineveryindustry,securityhasbecomeevenmore importantinmanyways.Securitywasattheforefrontof theworkfromhomediscussion.COVID-19demonstrated howimportantsecuringremoteworkersareandhow importantaccesscontrolisincreatingasafereturntothe workenvironment.
Identivdoesn’tthinkaboutitas“workfromhome”;itis lookingat“anywhereoperations”.Thepandemicreshaped itsideasaboutwhereworkhappens,creatingashiftto anywhereoperations.AnywhereoperationsisanIT-based organizationalmodelthatsupportscustomerservice, workermotivation,anddeploymentofproducts/services fromanywhere,regardlessofphysicallocation.
Cultureisoneofthemostimportantingredientsof employeeretention.Positiveworkculturesaremore productiveandcreateanenvironmentwithlowerturnover Whenhiring,Leighlooksforhighlyskilledmarketersfor Identiv’steam,butshealsovaluesbeingateamfit. InIdentiv’sculture,teamstaketimetocelebratetheirwins andexaminetheirlossestolearnfromthem.Because marketingincludescreativedirection,it’simportantto Leighthattheyhaveacultureoftrust,respectandgratitude. Leighsays, “It’s very difficult to feel truly creative and safe to share your ideas if you don’t have those values. This is an important component for us to inspire each other and drive continuous improvement via campaigns that get noticed.”
Leigh’sMBAprogramwasfocusedontechnology managementandnewproductdevelopment.Overtheyears, shehaslearnedthatroad-mappingemergingtechnology trendsisimportantinordertostaycompetitiveorleapfrog competition.However,shebelievesthatalignmentwiththe needsofcustomersisequallyimportant.
Trendsandcustomerneedscanevolveinunexpectedways. Thus,Leightriestolookforthemicroandmacrotrends
thatbuildonevolvingtech.Shealsostudieshow technologyimpactshumanexperience-isitfilledwith friction,doesitcreateapositiveornegativeexperience, doesitpushtheboundariesofhumanrights,anddoesit supportorchallengeethicalconsiderations?
AccordingtoLeigh,theroleofwomeninsecurityis evolving.Womenarecontinuingtoestablishtheirvoice,so inmanyways,thechangeisalreadyhappening.Thereare veryeducated,capablewomenwhoaregoingtofillsecurity leadershiproles;Leighisawaitingthetippingpoint.She mentorsseveralwomenintechandsecurityindustries throughSIAandtheBusinessJournalsprograms.She believesthatonefundamentalchangetowardstrengthening theprogressofwomeninsecurityisprovidingmoreearly breakthroughcareeropportunities.
Leighwouldalsoliketoseemorecompaniescreatea supportsystemaroundestablishingacultureforidentifying andadvancingtalentedwomen.Sheadvisesaspiring womenentrepreneursinthesecurityindustrytodevelop theircircleofsupportandexhaustivelynurtureit.
Inconclusion,LeighstatesthatIdentiv’sprimaryareasof focusinthenextfiveyearsaregrowingitsRFIDbusiness andsolidifyingitspositionasanindustryleader.Italso aimstodeliveronthegreatdemandstrengthofthefederal marketandincreaseitsrevenuepredictabilitywith customerretention,expandeduseofconsumables,and recurringrevenues.Identivisaddingexcitingnewtalentto itsteamthisyear,andLeighislookingforwardtoavery brightfutureforIdentiv
Istarttheirbusiness.Manyindividualsputtheirlife's effortintoestablishingtheirventurefollowingtheir dream,readytofacetheworld.Astheventurebeginsto boostwiththesmoothworkflow,arandomcyber-attack coulddestroythedatainseconds,resultinginoneofthe worstdaysfortheindividualandtheirbusiness.
tischallengingintoday'sworldforanentrepreneurto
"I need to stay on top of our customer needs and desires, the competitive landscape, changes in regulations, our partner requirements and industry trends just to start. The need to be generally across everything, but with enough detail to know which areas require a closer look," added Susie.
Topreventsuchmishapsofcyberattacksonsmall businesses,SusieJones,co-foundedCynchSecuritywith AdamSelwood.CynchSecurityisacybersecurityfirmthat intendstobuildaworldwhereeverybusinesscanbecyber fit.Theideabehindinceptingthecompanywascrystal,and itcameintoexistenceinmid-2017afterrecognizinghow woefullyunderservedsmallbusinessleaderswerebythe cybersecurityindustry
AstheCEOofCynchSecurity,Susiemeticulouslyoversees theoperationsatthefirm.Shesharesresponsibilityand accountabilitywithherbusinesspartner.Overthepastfour years,theyhaveledthecompanywithempathyand passion.Theyputtheirheartandsoulintotheirworkto leadbyexamplefortheirever-growingteam.
InspiredbyEllenDeGeneres,MichelleObama,andUrzila Carlsson,Susieaimstoemulatetheirapproachto succeedingintheworldwithkindness.
Aleader'sjourneyisfilledwithchallengesandovercoming themisahandfulofatask.Whilechallengesarenotnewto Susie,sheeffortlesslydealswiththem.Susiesays, "The greatest challenge for me as CEO is managing the process of staying on top of all the information requirements of my position.”
Thepandemicthatmadeeverypersonisolateintheirhome globallytransformedthewayleadersviewbusinesses.The useoftechnologyincreasedoverthecourseof2020.In Susie'sexperience,shesawcountlessorganizationsthat neverallowedtheirteamstoworkfromhomeinthepast entirelyshifttoaremoteworkforce.Theisolatedculture servedasanopportunityontheplatterforcybersecurity. Ontheonehand,businessesweretransformingtheircyber riskprofile;ontheotherhand,cybercriminalscouldquickly adapttheirattacktechniquestotargetnewwaysofworking. Somecompaniesfellbehindwhileothersprevailed,which createdincrediblechallengesforallorganizationsthatthe cybersecurityindustrywillstruggletoovercomeinthe upcomingyears.
Susiegenuinelyunderstandsthathavingapositivework cultureisvitalforproductivity.Ithasbeenherhighest prioritysinceshehiredherfirstteammemberinlate2019. Sheconductsdailycheck-inmeetingsandweekly celebrationsofthesmallachievements.Shealsoarranges monthlyone-to-onemeetingswithallstafftodiscusstheir needs.Susiealsodeliversrandomactsofkindness includingdeliveriesofhampersthroughoutthepandemic forherteam.Shebelieveswork-lifebalanceisparamount, andherteamchoosestheirhourstowhatsuitsthemthe best.
AtCynchSecurity,Susiehasimplementedasalary calculatorthatremovestheneedtonegotiatewagesfornew hires,preventingthedevelopmentofagenderwagegap fromdayone.Itofferscompleteflexibilityintermsofhours workedperweekandonwhatday,whichhashelpedit buildabusinesswhere7/10ofitsstaffarewomen.
Whenaskedforadvicetoaspiringwomenentrepreneurs, Susiesays, "Find a network of peers you can lean on and talk strategically with. I have many whom I speak to when I
have issues I wish to work through, and they have been incredibly helpful.”
Astheworldmovesforward,smallbusinessesneedtostay intactandsecureregardingcyberthreats.Susiehas envisionedafuturewhereshewantseverysmallbusiness whenquestioned,"Whatareyoudoingtomanageyour cyberrisk?"toconfidentlyanswer,"Webuildourcyber fitnesswithCynch."Sheworkswhole-heartedlytomake herclientstruly'CyberFit.'
TheoutbreakofCovid-19hasshownusthat planningaheadoftimeisessentialforadequately mitigatingthedangersassociatedwith cyberattacks.Thecapacitytorespondrapidlytounexpected occurrenceshelpstomitigatethedamageofacyberattack. Companiesthathavepreviouslybenefittedfromsafe remoteworkingcapabilitieswillbebetterequippedtodeal withtheever-increasingnumberofcyberthreats.
Companieswhowerecaughtoffguardwillneedtoreview theirexposuretocyberrisksimmediatelyandprioritize activitiestoremedycybersecuritygapswithrecommended practice.Fororganizationsofferingremoteaccessto confidentialandsensitivedata,corporate-owneddevices shouldbethestandardinthecomingtime.
Whenaccessingbusinessdatafromapersonaldeviceis permitted,cyberrisksshouldbeconsidered,andstepsare takentoreducecyberthreatexposure.Thetruthisthat businessesmustshifttheirfocusfrom‘if’theywillbe attackedto‘when,’andunderstandthattheconsequencesof databreachesorransomwaremaybefinancially catastrophic.Itisalsoimportanttonotethatmonetarygain isnotthemainmotivationforcyberattacks.Afurther concernis‘hacktivism,’whichseekstoharmcompany reputations.
Thisarticleexaminestheimpactofcyberriskswiththe adventofCovid-19.Italsogivesabriefideaaboutthe increasingcyberattacks.
Manyhackersappeartoberaisingtheirgame.Toprofit fromthecurrentchangeincorporateculturetowardremote working,theyhavebuiltnewmalwaretotargetandenter networks.PriortotheCovid-19,around20%ofcyber attacksemployedpreviouslyunknownmalwareor techniques.Someofthenewassaultsemployatypeof machinelearningthatadaptstoitssurroundingswhile remainingunnoticed.
Phishingattempts,forexample,aregettingmorecomplex andusenewmediasuchasSMSandvoice(vishing). Informationconcerningvaccineadvancementsisexploited inphishingattacks.Ransomwareassaultsaregrowingmore sophisticatedaswell.Hackers,forexample,arecombining dataleakingattackswithransomwaretoinducevictimsto paytheransom.
Thisincreaseinsophisticatedassaultsnecessitatesthe developmentof‘cutting-edge'detectiontechniques,suchas ‘userandentitybehavioranalysis,’orUEBA,tocombatthe danger Thisexaminestypicaluserbehaviorandutilizesthis knowledgetodiscoverinstancesofabnormaldepartures fromregularpatterns.
Thecyberthreatlandscapeisdiverse.Followingsarethe fewthingstojotdown.
Maliciousworkerswhooperatefromhomewithless monitoringandfewertechnologicalrestrictionsmaybe motivatedtocommitfraudorothercriminalbehavior
Cybercriminalsrealizethattheexistingdatasecurity measuresarenotsuitableforthepurposeorsufficiently strongtopreventsuccessfulintrusions.
Hacktivists’(hackersfightingforsocialandpolitical causes)actionsexacerbatecybersecurityvulnerabilities.
Scriptkiddies(juniorhackerswithlittletechnical abilities)aretestingcyberattackpackagesonarangeof businessesandhoningtheirskills.
Mostofthesedangershavebecomemoresevereasaresult oftheopportunitiescreatedbytheCovid-19surge. Anothersourceofworryishumanmistakes.Ahuman mistakewasalreadyamajorcauseof‘cyberrisk'priorto thepandemic:staffwouldunintentionallyorcarelessly grantaccesstothewrongindividuals.Thedifficultyis exacerbatedwhileworkingfromhome.Employeeswho workfromhomemaybestoppedintheirjobbyfamily membersorsocialvisits.Individualsmaybecomemore recklessbecauseofthesedistractions.
Therestrictionsimposedbythegovernmentimpacted companiesandworkerstoworkfromhomeandstrictlystay athome.Asexpected,theworldthenturnedonline,and peoplestartedusingtechnologyextensivelyforpersonal andprofessionalpurposes.Themeetingsthatwereheldin personstartedtotakeplacevirtually,whichoffered cyberattackstoincreasethecyber-crimerate.
Theexposuretowardsremoteworkingcallsforgreater attentiononcybersecurityasthecyber-attacksincreasedin thelockdown.Cyberattackersseethepandemicasthe opportunitytoexploitthevulnerabilityofworkersby malicioushacking.Oneoftheimportantconsiderationsis databreachescancostpeopleahugesumofmoneyifnot tacklednow
