Welcome back to another insightful episode of Tech Woke I'm your host, Christopher Okpala, and joining me, as always, is my co-host, Neisha. Today, we're diving into the journey of transitioning from an Office Administrator to a Senior Information System Security Officer, featuring none other than Neisha herself.

Neisha brings a wealth of experience in cybersecurity, growing her expertise from administrative beginnings to the complexities of compliance in cyber. Having grown up in Maryland, she attended Anne Arundel Community College and later Morgan State University, where an unexpected twist took her from nursing to health education.

Her path was far from linear. Starting with a help desk position, earning her Security Plus certification, and later exploring pen testing through internships, Neisha discovered her passion for cybersecurity compliance. Despite the challenges, including taking a pay cut and enduring the pressures of continuous monitoring and ATO documentation, she excelled and received well-deserved recognition and a pay raise.

In today's episode, we'll unpack Neisha's experiences, from the importance of organization and proactivity in managing multiple programs to handling the stress and rigors of cybersecurity. Whether you're considering a career transition or looking to advance in your current role, this episode will offer valuable insights and inspiration. So, let's get started!

Key highlights:

Neisha's Educational Background

Neisha grew up in Maryland, which influenced her educational choices. She began her higher education at Anne Arundel Community College and later transferred to Morgan State University, where she completed her degree in health education. Initially, she majored in nursing but switched due to a long waitlist for the program.

Career Transition and Early Jobs

After graduation, Neisha started her career in administrative roles, which laid the foundation for her professional journey. She later transitioned to an IT help desk position, which sparked her interest in the field of cybersecurity and provided her with essential technical experience.

Introduction to Cybersecurity

While working in the help desk role, Neisha obtained her Security Plus certification. Her interest in cybersecurity was further piqued by friends and mentors who highlighted the opportunities in cyber compliance. She also gained hands-on experience through an internship in penetration testing, where she learned about Kali Linux and basic hacking techniques.

Certifications and Security Work Entry

To further her career in cybersecurity, Neisha pursued the CAT certification, which is now known as Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). This certification is essential for securing government information systems. Additionally, a part-time job as a security guard helped her gain the necessary clearance and sponsorship, opening up more job opportunities.

Benefits of Security Clearance

Holding a security clearance made Neisha more attractive to contractors and potential employers, as it significantly enhanced her job prospects. It also simplified the job application process, making it easier for her to secure positions in the cybersecurity field.

First ISSO Job in Quantico

Neisha's first role as an Information System Security Officer (ISO) was at Quantico, where she was responsible for continuous monitoring of IT systems to ensure their security. She worked within a collaborative team of 8-9 people and managed various parts of the Risk Management Framework (RMF). The pay range for this role was between 85-90k, with the possibility of reaching the low nineties.

Challenges and Importance of Organization

In this episode, Neisha discusses the challenges she faced as an ISO, emphasizing the importance of being organized and proactive. Effective ISSO work requires strong organizational skills, as it involves balancing and managing multiple cybersecurity programs simultaneously.

Transition to Current Role

Neisha took a pay cut to accept a job closer to home, prioritizing her proximity to family. She faced difficulties adapting to a new program, especially after a senior colleague left, which added to the pressure of meeting tight deadlines. Despite these challenges, she managed to navigate the new role successfully.

ATO Documentation Process

Neisha shares insights into the detailed and demanding process of preparing and submitting Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation. This process often required her to work overtime and manage a significant amount of stress to meet documentation and approval deadlines.

Pay and Career Advancement

During her 18-month ATO contract, Neisha accepted a temporary pay cut, earning between $90,000 to $95,000. However, her good performance led to a pay raise after the contract ended. She is now planning to pursue advanced cybersecurity certifications like CISSP or CISM next year to further enhance her career prospects.

This episode is a much watch for anybody thats inspiring to get into the cybersecurity field.

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