WomenWhoSecure: Recent Episodes
WomenWhoSecure
The Women Who Secure Podcast is to help recognize, educate, share, and network with other individuals who identify as women in cybersecurity. Whether you are career transitioning or even looking to excel in your career, we want to give you the most authentic advice. Our guest speakers will be spilling all the tea, unraveling all the tips and tricks, and most importantly keeping it real.
We are thrilled to feature Maddy Adams on the WomenWhoSecure podcast! In this episode, Maddy shares her journey into cybersecurity, insights on her key areas of expertise, and how she built a strong personal brand on LinkedIn.
Maddy Adams is a cybersecurity enthusiast with a keen interest in threat intelligence. Passionate about staying up-to-date with the latest trends in cybersecurity, Maddy is proud to be a top 1% ranking member of TryHackMe and a member of the PlayCyber Women's Global League. She enjoys collaborating with like-minded professionals, competing in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, and attending industry events.
Maddy holds a Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity and completed a Cybersecurity Bootcamp at Georgia Tech. She continuously cultivates her skillset by achieving multiple certifications, including CySA+ and Security+. For Maddy, cybersecurity is not just a job but a way of life. She is dedicated to protecting digital assets and mitigating cyber threats.
In her free time, Maddy enjoys playing video games such as Pokémon and Overwatch and also plays the guitar.
Episode Highlights:
In this episode, Maddy discusses:
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Her journey into cybersecurity: How she discovered her passion and the steps she took to enter the field.
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Building her brand on LinkedIn: Tips and strategies she used to establish a strong professional presence.
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Key areas of expertise: Threat Hunting Lifecycles & Intelligence, Security Information/Event Management, Security Analytics, Network/Cybersecurity Architecture, Vulnerability Assessment, Penetration Testing, Malware Analysis, Risk Assessment, Incident Mitigation, Escalation & Remediation, and Report Writing.
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The importance of continuous learning: How achieving multiple certifications has helped her stay ahead in the field.
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The role of community and collaboration: Insights from her experiences with TryHackMe and the PlayCyber Women's Global League.
Join us on this insightful episode to learn more about Maddy's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights into the world of cybersecurity.
Connect with Maddy : https://linktr.ee/Cyb3rMaddy
Jeree Spicer, the mastermind behind ReeTheCyberBoss™, recently graced the WomenWhoSecure podcast, delving into the intricacies of her extraordinary journey into cybersecurity. From a tech-savvy youngster learning to type at the age of 5, Jeree's passion for technology has been a constant force shaping her digital path.
Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Child Development, as well as a Master’s Degree in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, Jeree is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Science Degree in Cybersecurity.
Her expertise spans awareness, risk management, engineering, and technology strategy.As a guest on WomenWhoSecure, Jeree unfolds her unique experiences, providing an in-depth exploration of her trajectory into the cybersecurity realm. Beyond securing networks and data, her vision resonates with breaking barriers and democratizing access to the critical field.
Jeree is driven by a sincere commitment to not only grow cybersecurity but also to cultivate a culture of digital empowerment that spans generations.
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Check out: https://www.reethecyberboss.com/
ReeTheCyberBoss™ is a cybersecurity platform created for the culture and founded on a mission to empower, educate, and promote awareness for safe and secure online practices. We believe that cybersecurity is not just a profession but a cultural imperative. It is not just a platform, it's a movement designed to expose the younger generation to the world of cybersecurity. We believe in the power of education and awareness to transform how individuals and communities approach cybersecurity. We strive to make a substantial impact in the cybersecurity field by bridging the gap between technology and culture.We invite you to join us on this journey toward a safer and more secure digital future. Let's empower the culture, educate one another, and promote awareness for a world where cybersecurity is not just a necessity but a shared responsibility.
Presenting Jihana Barrett, an extraordinary guest on the WomenWhoSecure podcast. Jihana is a dynamic force—author, speaker, and the visionary founder of CybrSuite LLC. In this episode, we delve into Jihana's captivating journey, where she not only shares her expertise in cybersecurity but also inspires and equips individuals and small business owners to confidently navigate the digital landscape.
With a rich career spanning government, military, and private sectors for over a decade, Jihana brings a wealth of experience to the forefront. Her cybersecurity proficiency has played a pivotal role in elevating the digital hygiene of countless individuals, securing their invaluable assets, intellectual property, and day-to-day digital interactions.
Jihana's journey unfolds from her roles as a counterintelligence analyst for the United States Air Force, complemented by an impressive academic background, including a distinguished Ethical Hacker certification and bachelor's and master's degrees in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.
A true luminary in social engineering and online security, Jihana fearlessly illuminates the darker corners of the Internet. Beyond conventional platforms, her impact resonates through highly sought-after ebooks, digital courses, and engaging "OMG I didn't know that" live streams. This establishes her as the go-to authority for individuals and entrepreneurs seeking to bolster their online safety.
Join us in this episode as Jihana Barrett unfolds her inspirational journey, providing invaluable insights and empowering women to secure their digital presence with confidence and resilience.
Connect with her on LinkedIn!
Follow CybrSuite and check out TechSorority
In this captivating episode, we are thrilled to sit down with Samantha Bolet, the dynamic Vice President of Latinas In Cyber (LAIC) and Senior Privacy Program Manager at the world's highest-valued start-up. As a passionate advocate for increased representation of Latina women in the cybersecurity sector, Samantha has earned accolades such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and the NextGen Collective 30 Under 30, acknowledging her impactful leadership.
Delve into Samantha's fascinating journey as a first-generation Latina of Venezuelan and Spanish heritage. Beyond her distinguished career in cybersecurity strategy and governance, she is also a prominent influencer, sharing her insights into lifestyle, solo travel, self-care, fashion, and living life on one's own terms through her blog, The Bolet Collective.
Samantha's multifaceted background includes not only her significant contributions to the tech world but also her achievements as a former pageant queen, with a Top 15 placement at Miss Illinois USA and a title as Miss Illinois Teen. Join us as we explore the intersections of Samantha's professional and personal development, highlighting the impact of pageantry on her journey.
A holder of a Master of Science in Technology Management and Information Systems, along with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Samantha exemplifies excellence and dedication in her diverse roles. Her recent recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 for Chicago underscores her continued commitment to empowerment, progress, and authenticity in the workplace.
Tune in as Samantha Bolet shares her unique perspective, navigating the realms of cybersecurity, advocacy, and unapologetic authenticity, leaving our listeners inspired and empowered to forge their paths in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and beyond.
Connect with her on LinkedIn!
Check out Latinas In Cyber!
Yesenia takes the spotlight as the featured guest in the resent episode of the WomenWhoSecure Podcast. In this session, she delves into her inspiring journey into cybersecurity. Hailing from a first-generation Cuban American background and cultivated in the vibrant city of Miami, Yesenia is on a mission to "awaken the indomitable warrior spirit within us all," safeguarding both the digital realm and the physical world.
With a rich background spanning over a decade in cybersecurity and software development, Yesenia holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Masters in Digital Forensics. Her expertise encompasses various facets of cybersecurity, from Security Operations and Development Security to Software Supply Chain Security and Open Source Software.
Notably, Yesenia actively addresses global security challenges while concurrently nurturing communities as a servant leader. Committed to fostering self-confidence, building partnerships within the tech space, and advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, she exemplifies a multifaceted approach to cybersecurity leadership.
Beyond her contributions to enhancing protective measures in cyberspace, Yesenia is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and spearheads the Women’s Self-Defense program, The Lioness Instincts. The program's mission is to empower women to defend themselves in both the digital and physical realms.
Yesenia's advocacy extends to empowering women to not only enter but thrive within the tech industry. As a staunch supporter of personal development and self-assurance, she acts as a cyber mentor and big sister, embodying the principles of mentorship and leadership.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yser/
cyberjiujiteira.com https://www.facebook.com/cyberjiujiteira
Join us on WomenWhoSecure as we dive into the extraordinary journey of Rachael Marks, an IAM Cybersecurity Engineer, RPA expert, and the founder of Cyber Compound.
Rachael's expertise in cybersecurity is matched only by her passion for empowerment. She shares invaluable advice drawn from her experiences, offering actionable insights for all.
As a founder of Cybercompound, she nurtures emerging talents in cybersecurity, showcasing her dedication to the field's growth.
But Rachael isn't confined to tech; she's also a gifted musician. Her melodies complement her cybersecurity symphony, making her a true Renaissance woman.
Catch Rachael on tour with Sammie Always, blending her musical talents with cybersecurity know-how. Don't miss this chance to be inspired!
Hosted by Stephanie Luangraj, WomenWhoSecure celebrates influential women in cybersecurity.
Connect with Rachael on LinkedIn and her company!
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Step into an engaging episode where we sit down with Akira, an esteemed Application Security Engineer at Resilia and co-host of the Application Security Weekly podcast. With a robust background and profound insights, Akira's presence enriches this episode.
Akira's expertise shines as they share invaluable advice for personal and professional advancement, providing listeners with gems of wisdom. Beyond their tech accomplishments, Akira's lifelong passion for music and opera adds a unique layer to their vibrant persona.
This episode isn't just enlightening—it's delightful. Akira's multi-talented journey is an inspiration, and we're privileged to be part of their ongoing career growth.
Connect with Akira on LinkedIn and check out their website: https://www.akirabrand.com/
Tia has carved her path into Cybersecurity after facing multiple obstacles life has thrown at her. She is not only an amazing full-time mother but also an inspiring full-time Cybersecurity Engineer. She makes the life of analysts in a SOC (Security Operation Center) easier. Tia shares her journey from being in the Navy, gaining multiple internships, and fulfilling her career as a Cybersecurity professional. She mentions, "Being involved in a community is essential. I attend a lot virtually because of the flexibility, such as Veterans in Cybersecurity, and Vetsintech events. Being able to still network and attend virtual events are amazing and everyone should take advantage." She's battled imposter syndrome, faced adversities, and Tia is truly showing up for herself. She not only empowers other Veterans, mothers, but all women on joining Cybersecurity no matter what circumstances you face in life.
Connect with her on Instagram!
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode of WomenWhoSecure, Yasmin shares her extensive experience with knowledge regarding technical advising on security, privacy, and data protection. Currently, she is a Security Engineering Manager - Access Control at Snapchat. She has over 5 years of experience as a software engineer and has built and managed in-house software and security solutions at Snap, Meta, and Google. Yasmin was also a founding member of Meemo, an AI-powered social finance app, which was recently acquired by Coinbase. The technologies she has built are currently being used by 100+ million daily active users worldwide. This episode not only involves her professional journey, but also a vast majority of advice. As the CEO of noHack, Yasmin takes a hands-on approach to delivering high-impact solutions. Her goal is to protect her clients by providing an extra layer of all-around protection. Outside of tech, her passion is to help bridge the gap between minority students and tech companies. Yasmin holds her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a focus in cyber security engineering from the University of Maryland.
Connect with her on LinkedIn!
--- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode of WomenWhoSecure, Holly explains her cybersecurity journey and how she landed her full-time position as a Senior Security Developer at Artic Wolf. To get started in cybersecurity, Holly took a traditional college path and is an alumna of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. As she explains her journey, she highlights how she figured out cybersecurity interested her further than computer engineering. She expounds "Not to be afraid to job hop: the advice she would like others to know when and how to leave your role if you are unhappy." In addition to these highlights Holly has also founded two affiliates with WICYS in Austin & Los Angeles.
Connect with Holly on LinkedIn!
In this episode of WomenWhoSecure, Alexis Merritt compares her career approach to cooking spaghetti. She explains "You want to be like spaghetti: Not afraid to throw things at a wall and see what sticks." She is currently a full-time Incident Response Consultant at Cisco Talos Intelligence Group. Alexis shares some information about her day-to-day work such as handling ransomware incidents for organizations around the world. In addition to these highlights, she shares advice that has helped her as well as advice she wishes she knew earlier along her career journey. To get started in cybersecurity, Alexis took a traditional college path and is an alumna of Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Information Technology Management. She's definitely an inspiring woman with a bright future ahead.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn!
Jenni is a recent alumni from IU Bloomington. She's currently a full time Information Security & Risk Analyst. She's motivated and driven by cloud security, data privacy, and ethics. Jenni also gives back to the community by increasing the recruitment and retention of Black and Latinx talent in technology. She's not only a full time Cybersecurity professional but founded and created a summer program for younger girls to learn about Cybersecurity through IU Bloomington. She explains her journey and how she has made the strong connections to get to where she is today.
Connect with Jenni on LinkedIn!
Rebecca is founder and CEO of RR Digital Media; Web Design, Web Development, Cyber Security. Throughout the episode she shares her journey and how she overcame obstacles to become a self made boss. She is now a full time Freelance Web Developer with a formal education in Cyber Security. Rebecca utilizes her creativity and love for code to create beautiful online spaces for organizations. While doing so, she also educates clients on cyber security related topics while helping them implement security practices into their organization. She explains how she's prioritized her passion, goals, and turned it into reality after leaving the corporate life after 6 months.
Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
From obstacles faced as an adolescent originating from Pakistan, to living and working in the U.S. while being a full time mother, Annie is now Living The Dream. She is a full time Cyber Security Professional, Founder of WiCS UH, of President WiCyS Houston Affiliate, and author of 'The Rise of Cyber Women', and holds certifications of: GCTI GCFA CISM.
Connect with Annie on LinkedIn!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
She created her own path regardless of the route she started with. Courtnee is now a consultant at Deloitte, specializing in government, cyber policies, and consulting within cyber. She attended IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis) and gained her Masters in Health Informatics, Computer Science. She shares her advice about manifesting what you want in your personal life, and professional career.
Connect with Courtnee on LinkedIn!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Tailor is a full-time business owner of 'Digital Empress': Black's In Cybersecurity Influencer of the Year Award 2020, Cybersecurity Brand Ambassador, Career Consultant and Coach, Cybersecurity Researcher, and Content Creator. While being a business owner, she's also a current Cybersecurity Professional specializing in Web Application Security full time for an organization. Tailor is a full time mother and shares with us how she's managed to stay on top of her career while balancing personal life. She currently holds her Security + and TryHackMe certifications. Tailor portrays how 'Being Your Most Authentic Self' is key.
Connect with Tailor on LinkedIn!
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
WomenWhoSecure Podcast will involve; career journeys, professional and personal advice, resume tips, negotiating tricks, and more. Our purpose is to create an open space and podcast that is relatable to our listeners no matter where they are and what they identify as. We highlight professionals and allies in Cybersecurity from entry level - c-level executives positions. Stay tuned for the future seasons and episodes that will truly inspire, teach, and humor you.
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For more questions, or queries to join the podcast please email info@womenwhosecure.com
Women Who Secure is a gender-inclusive community