The Cyber Queens Podcast

In this  episode, the queens are sitting down with the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) organization with none other than the Executive Director herself- Lynn Dohm. Discover the pivotal programs and initiatives WiCyS offers to support and advance women in the cybersecurity sector. Lynn shares success stories, insights on overcoming industry challenges, and how listeners can engage with WiCyS to forge a more inclusive future in cybersecurity. Listen in to gain valuable perspectives and learn how you can contribute to diversifying the cybersecurity field.

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

In this  episode, the queens are sitting down with the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) organization with none other than the Executive Director herself- Lynn Dohm. Discover the pivotal programs and initiatives WiCyS offers to support and advance women in the cybersecurity sector. Lynn shares success stories, insights on overcoming industry challenges, and how listeners can engage with WiCyS to forge a more inclusive future in cybersecurity. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives and learn how you can contribute to diversifying the cybersecurity field.

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

Welcome to The Cyber Queens Podcast! The Cyber Queens are here to close the cyber gender ad diversity gap!

In this episode, The Cyber Queens are joined by Catilin Sarian to discuss the importance of Cyber Security Awareness training, and how to make it more interesting and accessible for those outside the industry. The Queens and Caitlin discuss the importance of bringing easy to digest content to platforms like Tiktok to help reach larger audiences with bite sized and relatable videos to help make Cybersecurity more approachable. 

Caitlin also discusses the importance of diversity in cyber, the entry level hiring crisis, and how humans are the weakest link in Cybersecurity! Tune in for some discussion on the scary places you might find someone’s “hidden” passwords and much more!!

Key Topics:

• Cailtin Sarian’s Story 
• Purpose of “Cybersecurity Girl”
• CyberSecurity meets TikTok
• Advocacy and Education in Cybersecurity 
• The most pressing threats and role of education in preventing threats such as phishing
• Importance and benefits of diverse perspectives 
• Cybersecurity Girl LLC - plans for influencing and empowering cybersecurity for all
• The weakest link in Cybersecurity - What is the real problem?

Links

• What is Phishing? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phishing
• What is Social Engineering? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_engineering_(security)
• What Is VPN? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_private_network 

Connect w/ Caitlin!

• Caitlin Sarian LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-sarian/ 
• Cybersecuritygirl Insta – @Cybersecurity_girl 
• Cybersecuritygirl TikTok – @Cybersecuritygirl

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

In cybersecurity, a remarkable transformation is taking place as women increasingly break down barriers and rise to leadership positions. Historically, this field has been predominantly male-dominated, but today, women are making significant strides in shaping the future of cybersecurity. Their contributions are not only challenging stereotypes but also enhancing the industry's diversity and effectiveness. This transformation is not just about equality; it's about recognizing that diversity in leadership brings fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and a stronger defense against cyber threats.

In this episode, we are joined by Brandi Moore, the CRO of Mitiga, to talk about how women can rise to leadership positions in cybersecurity. Brandi shares her story from being the director of sales to the COO of COFENSE, what Brandi looks for in a product or a company that she wants to work with and help grow. She also advises people looking to build a career in cybersecurity and females in tech who dream of being in leadership positions. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Timestamps

• [01:02] Brandi’s journey in cyber and how she got where she is today
• [02:06] The number of companies that Brandi interviewed with that do not have female leadership
• [05:29] Diversity and quality in cybersecurity
• [07:32] How the system is broken for job hunters
• [22:33] What Brandi looks for in a product or a company that she wants to work with and help grow
• [26:44] Brandi’s advice to females in tech who dream to be in leadership positions
• [31:43] Advice to people looking to build a career in cybersecurity

Notable quotes:

• “Sometimes you have a great idea and spend a lot of time explaining it to people and then the world sort of works with you. The world connects you with the right people.”
• “We need leadership in all these organizations to make diversity a genuine initiative instead of just discussing it.”
• “Tech and everything in the world changes every two years. So, you have to figure out how to follow the tech and everything else that is changing.”
• “Don’t give up on cybersecurity. Find people who have already succeeded for advice.”

Connect with Brandi Moore:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimoore/

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

Attending hacking conferences is essential for professionals in the field as it provides an opportunity to learn about the latest developments and technologies, network with peers, and stay up-to-date with current trends. However, attending these conferences can be costly, especially for individuals or small companies with limited budgets. In this context, hacking your way into these conferences, cheap or free, can be a valuable strategy for maximizing your resources. By finding ways to attend these events without breaking the bank, you can benefit from the valuable knowledge, skills, and connections that they offer, thereby enhancing your career prospects and improving your overall professional development.

In this episode, we will explore the cheapest ways you can attend hacking conferences and how they can help individuals to take their skills to the next level and expand their professional network. We will also highlight some of the best hacking conferences around the world, and what attendees can expect from these events. We talk about the Black Hat and Def Con, why people share scary stories about hacker conferences, and the value you can get from conferences. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Notable quotes:

• “If you are scared to do a big con, start with a small one in your area.”

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of cybersecurity, building authentic relationships has become crucial for success in sales and marketing. In this age of impersonal communication and fleeting attention spans, establishing genuine connections with potential clients and customers can make all the difference in building trust and securing partnerships. 

So, how exactly does authentic relationship building translate to success in cybersecurity sales and marketing?

In this episode, we are joined by Dani Woolf, the Founder and CEO of Audience 1st, to talk about the value of building genuine relationships in business and share some tips for building authentic relationships with customers in cybersecurity. We talk about the challenges that Dani had to overcome in opening the company in a male-dominated world, Dani’s experience of sitting down with her customers (the highly technical people), and the biggest problem in sales and marketing in the cybersecurity industry. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!

Notable quotes:

• “Stay resilient, know your course, and don’t give a F of what people say. Just do what you really love.”
• “Your network is everything.”

Episode resources:

• The book: Empathy In Action: How to Deliver Great Customer Experiences at Scale
• Connect with Dani Woolf:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/thedaniwoolf
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniarad/?originalSubdomain=il
• Website: https://www.audience1st.fm/

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

In this episode, The Cyber Queens are joined by Christa Weik who is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP), GRC and Cybersecurity Policy and Program Manager. Christa’s educational background is in cyber so she did attend a bootcamp before entering the field. She can build, scale, and maintain the GRC and Privacy considerations of any cybersecurity strategy for any sized enterprise and security organization. She also has knowledge of the following regulatory laws, audits, and frameworks: ISO, PCI-DSS, FISMA, HIPAA, GDPR, SOX, SOC2.

Key Topics:

• Christa Weik’s Story & How She Became The Cyber Queens First Mentee
• What is GRC?
• GRC & Privacy Specialist Overview
• What Does A Career In GRC & Privacy Look Like?
• How Can Someone Get Into GRC & Privacy?
• Road To The Cyber Queens Mentorship 
• What Do You Hope To Get Out Of This?
• What Does The Future Look Like?

Sources:

• What is GRC? https://tinyurl.com/2p8vjktt 
• What is a GRC Analyst? https://tinyurl.com/meh9xu5p 
• What is a Data Privacy Analyst? https://tinyurl.com/ymajpu8x 
• What is GDPR? https://tinyurl.com/yme88xek
• What is CISO? https://tinyurl.com/2pewzrmw 
• What is Data Privacy? https://tinyurl.com/34rh4mvv 
• Forcepoint: https://www.forcepoint.com/ 
• Google: https://www.google.com/ 
• Trello: https://trello.com/
• What is Jira? https://www.atlassian.com/software/jira 
• ServiceNow: https://www.servicenow.com/ 
• SentinelOne: https://www.sentinelone.com/ 
• SentinelOne SKO: https://tinyurl.com/bd9cdn5f 
• WICyS: https://www.wicys.org/ 
• What is SEO? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_engineering 
• Audience 1st Podcast: https://www.audience1st.fm/podcast/episodes
• WTF Did I Just Read Podcast: https://wtfdidijustread.com/ 
• CISO Distillery:  https://tinyurl.com/5xm8bf9d 

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

The world of cybersecurity has long been considered a male-dominated field, but that's slowly changing as more and more women are breaking through the glass ceiling. In this inspiring story, we'll take a closer look at the journey of a female entrepreneur who is not only making waves in the cybersecurity industry but is also empowering other women to pursue their dreams in this highly competitive field. From overcoming stereotypes to paving the way for future generations of women, this story is about resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to success.

In this episode, we are joined by Victoria Germanova, the Founder and CEO of Callity, a security buyer/vendor matching platform, to share her experiences of building a business in the male-dominated world of cybersecurity. Victoria talks about the idea behind Callity, her experience in sales, and how the sales process in cyber is broken. She also shares some insights on the challenges that female entrepreneurs in cybersecurity face, what made her start a company in the technical field as a non-technical person, and advises other women who want to be entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn more about this and other exciting topics!


Notable quotes:

• “If you put in the work and have a strong belief that is held by weak assumptions, you can do anything.”
• “To work in tech, you don’t have to be a technical person, but being a little technically inclined will help us respect where you are coming from and know your position.”
• “Anything you do, if you do it for a long time, you get better at it.”
• “Don’t let fear hold you back. Start the business, and you will get better with time.”

Connect with Victoria Germanova:

• Callity has since folded as an enterprise but you can still connect with Victoria who may be down but isn't out!
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-germanova/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CallityHQ

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

The Cyber Queens Podcast is back with an exciting episode focused on the business intelligence function featuring Maril’s amazing sister Camille Vernon who is a Business Intelligence (BI) Engineer. What is Business Intelligence? Why is this relevant to cyber? How does someone with no experience decide they want to work in BI?

Camille Vernon did not study anything related to tech in college! In fact, she has degrees in math & statistics! After college, she went down a non-tech career path. She didn’t realize that she was destined to be in tech until someone in her LinkedIn network reached out to interview her for a role. Camille shares her journey into tech and all the fun/struggles that came with it. Camille has some great tips and tricks throughout the entire episode, so stay tuned the entire time! This episode was definitely hard to press the pause button because it’s some real-life vibes!!!

Key Topics:

• Camille Vernon’s Story
• Business Intelligence…What Is BI? What Is A BI Engineer?
• Required Skills To Get Into BI & How To Prepare For A Career In BI
• Previous Education Should Not Stop You From Coming Into Cyber
• Can Leaders Take A Chance On Someone Without Industry Experience
• Utilizing Your Current Skills – Tell Them To Take A Chance On You
• Women Being Loyal & How To Navigate Through That
• Importance Of Networking!
• How BI Ties Into An Organization
• Best Practices To Have A Successful BI Team
• Camille’s Professional & Personal Struggles While Entering Tech/Cyber
• Pro Tips From The Field

Sources:

• What is Business Intelligence? https://tinyurl.com/29y46nku 
• What Is SQL? https://tinyurl.com/288hmude 
• What Are KPI’s?: https://tinyurl.com/mpz7af9x 

Camille Vernon LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-vernon/ 

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!

**DISCLAIMER: All of our opinions are our own. They do not represent, nor are they affiliated with the interests and beliefs of the companies we work for. **

The Cyber Queens Podcast is back with an exciting episode focused on breaking into the cybersecurity industry. Join the Cyber Queens as they chat with Mackenzie Wartenberger about her journey into the world of cyber and how she was able to make a successful career change. Mack shares her experience as the first recipient of the GRC Accelerator Train-To-Hire Program at Aquia Inc. This 6-month-long program provides paid apprenticeships, training materials, and dedicated mentorship to individuals who may not have the means to access further education or qualify for a cybersecurity job.

The Cyber Queens and Mack break down the common misconception that one needs to be technical to enter the cybersecurity field. You will hear Mack share her inspiring story of how she broke into cyber, along with the reasons why she chose this field. The Cyber Queens also share their own experiences and backstories of how they ended up in this wonderful industry. Finally, they discuss Mack's next steps and offer insights on how you can replicate her success.

Tune in to The Cyber Queens Podcast to learn more about breaking into the cybersecurity industry and how to close the gender/diversity gap that cyber is experiencing.

Key Topics:
Mack’s Before & After Cyber Journey
Why Mack Chose The Cyber Security Field
How Mack Found A Cyber Opportunity & Breaking In
Aquia Inc GRC Accelerator Train-To-Hire Program
Mack’s Pre-technical Interview Processes & Selection
So You’ve Landed Your First Cyber Gig….How Did You Learn?
Soft Skills & How They Apply To A Cyber Career
What’s Next For Mack?

01:52 – Mack’s Before & After Cyber Journey
05:05 – Why Mack Chose The Cyber Security Field
07:14 – Careers Before Cyber
10:25 – Breaking Into Cyber Cold…..The How To’s From Mack
11:45 – GRC Accelerator Train-To-Hire Program at Aquia Inc.
12:55 – Networking Is KEY
14:32 – The Right Mindset Can Set You Up For Success
14:40 – Knowing Your Strengths Can Help You Navigate
17:30 – In Cyber You Will Not Know Everything & That Is OK
20:07 – Entering Cyber Doesn’t Require Stepping Into A Super Technical Role, It Can Be GRC Or Compliance
25:00 – Soft Skills Can Help You In A Cyber Career
25:16 - Aquia Inc. GRC Accelerator Train-To-Hire Program
36:50 – Final Takeaways

Sources:
Aquia Inc.: https://www.aquia.us/ 
Aquia Inc. GRC Accelerator Train-To-Hire Program: https://tinyurl.com/mr3yzxwv 
What Is A Security Analyst?: https://tinyurl.com/yeykz99s 
What Is A Compliance Analyst?: https://tinyurl.com/2rzuwjkz 
SOC Audit: https://tinyurl.com/2wuuxscc 
What Is GRC?: https://tinyurl.com/225j9yyz 
What Is Kubernetes?: https://www.ibm.com/topics/kubernetes 
What Is NMAP?: https://tinyurl.com/bdfhrjfe 
What Is CISA?: https://www.cisa.gov/about 
What Is The Red Team?: https://tinyurl.com/2xttz2wm 
CompTIA Security+ Certification https://www.comptia.org/certifications/security 
What Is Python?: https://tinyurl.com/4d65nprs 
Cybrary: https://tinyurl.com/4ames68c 

Mackenzie Wartenberger – LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-wartenberger/ 

Get in Touch:

• Maril Vernon LinkedIn
• Stacey Champagne LinkedIn
• Queens Twitter - @TheCyberQueens
• Queens LinkedIn

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insight and new episodes!
• If you love us- share us!