In today’s episode, I introduce my guest, Kimberly St.Pierre, director of Strategic Accounts for Washington-based cybersecurity and systems-management company Tanium.

We discuss the importance of approaching diversity from an educational perspective instead of a “quota-based” system, inclusive languages in job ads,  how the inside-out approach can be used when comes to mentorship and expound on the types of mentorship. Generally, this was an interesting and eye-opening conversation.

Key points:

· Kim tells us the story of how she first got into telecom and then delved into cybersecurity. She was further locked in by the urge to curb cybercrime. [5.10-9.55]

· Kim tells us the story behind Tanium, its goals, and its branches. [12.55-18.02]

· Kim tells us what measures she thinks should be put in place to encourage diversity when organizations are hiring. She believes it's not all about having a quota. She'd rather educate people on the need for diversity. [23.55-28.03]

· Fatima and Kim agree that there should be the use of inclusive language. Organizations should do away with work registers that use words like "man-hours". Here, Kim gives an interesting mention of an article she read on the case of inclusive language. [28.08-29.19]

· Kim offers advice for people who are skeptical about venturing into cybersecurity because of how difficult it seems. She draws a relationship between this and being creative. [31.30-34.59]

· Fatimah and Kim discuss how the inside-out approach can be used in terms of mentorship. Kim expounds on the types of mentorship: micro mentorship, older to younger, etc. [36.08-39.20]

· Kim proffers final advice to cyber enthusiasts, people at entry level, and anybody at all who is considering getting into the field of cyber security. [42.08-45.55]

Press play to listen to the conversation.