Collin is a trailblazer in our North Carolina cybersecurity community. He was the youngest ISSA participant who started attending the monthly networking events while still attending high school, thanks to his mother's unrivaled support. His presence didn't go unnoticed and it wasn't too hard for Collin to land an internship that turned into a full-time job as a security analyst after completing his higher education at East Carolina University.
This is one of the most inspiring stories on our Journey into Cybersecurity podcast, providing the roadmap on how to join a community, embrace the learning process while also giving back and help others walk into your footsteps. If anyone ever doubts Gen Z, share this podcast. This will give them more than just hope, it will inspire to follow suit. 

Nathan Hicks has been on his Journey into Cybersecurity for a while now. It started with an innate curiosity from a young age that developed into critical thinking and compassion in his military and post Air Force years in IT and security operations. Nathan is now a team leader and expert in threat operations, an ever-evolving aspect of security operations. Nathan exemplifies the selfless leadership he learned from his parents, his teachers and his peers in cybersecurity. He offered to be on our podcast and support Antonio on his journey as he embarks on his career. He is the reason why we will only get stronger and better. He's the reason why we developed this podcast: to support our community and win the good fight. 

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-9-nathan-hicks-2/

Adrianne George has worked on critical national security issues since right after 9/11. Her motivation has always been clear: to win. Still today, the cyber war is being waged and the end is nowhere in sight. Adrianne is working tirelessly to fix this by addressing the cyber talent gap, and more importantly the cyber talent management process. She's identified a niche and plans to fill it leveraging her unique insights, experience and connections. Let's support her on this Journey into Cybersecurity so we all can be successful and win the battle together.

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-8-adrianne-george/

Jamila is not the new kid on the block nor a fresh grad out of a cybersecurity college program. Jamila has lived a few chapters already and she’s about to write her next chapter about breaking into cybersecurity. That’s right, her journey isn’t a conventional one, nor an easy one. But Jamila has an unrivaled drive and the kind of grit and willingness to learn and work hard most people lack. It’s a matter of opportunity and someone recognizing Jamila’s potential waiting to be unleashed. I know that she will do amazing things as I’ve already seen her grow as a STEM educator, PTA volunteer, cyber student and working mom. She’s simply unstoppable. Just watch!

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-7-jamila-blackwell/

Sarah Pinson debunks every possible stereotype or underestimation of women ever made. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? Sarah is your modern-day working mom who shows you how to kick ass in every aspect of life. And Cybersecurity is yet another field that did not intimidate her or hold her back from leaning in and showing how it's done. No, no, Sarah loves a challenge or two! Whether it's a marathon, a Spartan race, working full-time and raising kids or get a cybersecurity certification while working a full-time PM or security analyst role, she's doing it with grace and a beautiful smile. Sarah's fearlessness, resilience, positive growth mindset and unmatched sense of humor make her the Ms. Sparta of Cyber, kicking doors in, proving nay-sayers wrong and raising the bar for all women on all possibilities in life. 

Anthony is the new kid on the block in cybersecurity. He just graduated with a BA degree in cybersecurity and is ready to make the world a little bit safer. Here come the roadblocks! Anthony gives his take on cybersecurity in education, the challenges he faced thus far and some ways to hack around the nay-sayers or hurdles thrown by "the system". Get ready to be inspired!

Stefan has found his path into cybersecurity thanks to the Marine Corp where he was a rifleman. While his point of entry into cyber was the typical coding and technical aspect of cyber, he soon discovered that there was more to cybersecurity than that. Governance and Compliance have since been his main areas of focus while he’s pursuing a university degree and internships in cybersecurity. 

Stefan continues to serve his community through his support of other veterans, volunteering at a retirement center and by sharing his fascinating Journey into Cybersecurity with us.

I hope you enjoy our chat with Stefan and find inspiration in his story.

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-4-stefan-laneman

Antonio and Kelsey adopted puppy siblings. Other than having a love of their puppies in common, they are both in college to gain a cybersecurity education. Without any further ado, did Antonio recruit our first podcast guest, and boy did we have a great time talking to Kelsey and learning about her journey into cybersecurity. You will absolutely love her energy, can-do attitude and inspiring story. There is so much potential in Kelsey, we cannot wait to see what the next chapter will look like, let alone where she'll be five years from now. Watch out, world, here comes Kelsey! 

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-2-kelsey-cueto/

I was introduced to Antonio early 2021 as he was looking for a summer internship in a cybersecurity organization. His neighbor and my friend, Mireille, suggested he’d check out The Triangle Net. After a great introductory chat, I provided a bunch of resources to help Antonio on his journey into cybersecurity, both educational and professional. I also made an introduction to Agio and he took care of the rest.

Antonio worked as an intern for an entire year, not just summer, at Agio! We reconnected to see what was next and in addition to learning the cybersecurity ropes, Antonio really wanted to learn more about sales and customer success. He does have the personality for a customer-facing role in his soon to be professional life. The wheels started turning and the opportunity presented itself that my customer success team at CyberSaint Security really needed a hand with a few strategic initiatives we were launching.

In addition, Antonio seemed very interested in giving my podcast, Journey into Cybersecurity, a second life. And here you have it: if you can dream it, you can do it! Meet Antonio, the Cybersecurity student, intern and podcast co-host… Not bad for a 22-year old kid graduating with a BS in Cybersecurity in a few months.

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/season-2-episode-1-antonio-chousa/

I met Rob Martin at the ISSA Raleigh chapter’s monthly networking event a few years ago. Through the ISSA community, he introduced me to the many people who have become friends and colleagues in the cybersecurity and non-profit space. Rob was always willing to support programs at local schools when I tried to make children more aware of cybersecurity and privacy in middle and high schools. Rob continues to play an instrumental role on the board of the ISSA Raleigh chapter, and as a volunteer teacher and mentor to many people.

What I like about Rob is his immense dedication to the education of others in cybersecurity. He’s greatly invested to helping minorities, veterans, and underserved communities in gaining access to the resources they need to succeed. He rallies his “battle buddies” to lift people up and give them access to opportunities to learn, grow and work in cybersecurity and beyond. 

Rob inspires me to continue to grow and do my part in creating learning and growth opportunities for others in cybersecurity. I’m grateful for his presence in my life, the role model he is to me and for sharing his valuable lessons on this podcast. His positive impact and selfless leadership will be felt by many generations to come, I’m certain of it!

If his story inspires you too and moves you to invest in yourself, let him know. I bet he would appreciate knowing that you are thriving thanks to his words of wisdom and guidance. Don’t forget to pay it forward!

https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-5-robert-martin/