My Cybersecurity Resilience

It has been roughly two years since I have written articles and incorporated the hashtag movement on LinkedIn. To be honest with you, I lost my passion and voice for Information Technology and Cybersecurity. I am human and can admit that the need for encouragement was lacking in my life and career. However, I was able to talk to a few people and they were able to help me rediscover my voice and become resilient and bounce back from my storm. Throughout my Cybersecurity journey, I was able to grow and evolve as a Cybersecurity Practitioner. I would not say that my journey was easy. In fact, I have endured more negativity and adversity in this field. In this culture, we preach that we need more women in the STEM field, let alone more women in Cybersecurity. However, how do you join this innovative industry? What does it mean to have resilience in Cybersecurity? Why aren’t women being treated as equals to their male counterparts? Because of these questions, the movement has begun, and women are now more engaged in joining the practice and retaining them!

Webster defines the following words: Cybersecurity and Resilience

Cybersecurity (noun): as Measures taken to protect a computer or computer system (as on the internet) against unauthorized access or attack.

Resilience (noun): An ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortunate or change.

To my readers and followers: Please do not join a field simply because you want to make easy money. I promise you that if you are not passionate for the field of Cybersecurity, then you will have a rough road in your career. I can only speak for myself when I say I have paid the price to obtaining the education, completing the internships, and acquiring the work experience which allowed me to become successful in my craft. The number of scars on my hands and knees shows that I can fight through the pain and adversity in this career.

In my previous articles, I have mentioned that I have obtained two Bachelor’s Degrees and two Masters Degrees. I have obtained industry certifications and engaged in various leadership roles. My process was by far unorthodox for various reasons. I tend to defy the odds in one’s motive in which we called LIFE. I have failed more exams and courses throughout my collegiate, graduate, and professional career that I know what it means to be resilient and bounce back. I have endured all bouts of negativity towards various associations in which I leave them with these parting words: Thank You. Now, you might wonder why I am thanking those that were negative towards me throughout my career. I will Thank You now because the shift has a redirection and purpose, which has begun the next chapter in both my personal and professional development.

Thank You for saying I am not technical enough because my educational and professional experience did not exceed your expectations.

Thank You for saying that we have viewed your resume and LinkedIn profile and see that you are smart.

Thank You for saying that I should not leapfrog a process, but you have no process to begin with.

Thank You for saying that I should work in a SOC/Help Desk because I don’t have the skills or experience to succeed in this field.

Thank You for not reading my resume and understanding the specific skillsets and becoming a Jack of All Trades and a Master of None!

Thank you for deterring my goals because I WILL OBTAIN EACH AND EVERY ONE!

Thank You for allowing me to rediscover who I am and seeing the little girl that has the drive to Take Over the World in which I embrace as Cybersecurity!

Thank you for the sacrifices that you have made for me to see the world, making my own mistakes, and learning how to Bounce Back from the Naysayers!

Thank You for being petty and learning the process in this industry.

Thank You for the leadership opportunity and taking it away and having people to come back as a boomerang asking for my assistance.

In all, I say Thank You for the process because the journey has been by far an enjoyable roller coaster ride.

The biggest question I am constantly asking is – How do I join the Cybersecurity Practice and obtain the experience?

Here are some tips that I will share with you:

• Research Cybersecurity and various areas of the field
• Research Cybersecurity Practices in your country
• Research Industry Related Certifications
• Participate in Conferences
• Network
• Read Dark Web Materials
• Watch the news relating to Cybersecurity
• Surround yourself with those that want you to fulfill your dreams and potentials
• Never Share Your Dreams and Aspirations with others because they may take your own destiny!
• Have a small inner circle that you can confide in throughout your personal and professional growth
• Ask Me for help! I have no problem sharing my experiences with you!

Throughout this process, I was able to find magazines about Cybersecurity. I was able to immerse myself in the field to allow my passion to grow. I have purchased Women Know Cyber by Steve Morgan & Di Freeze and InSecurity by Jane Frankland to learn about the challenges and adversities that women have faced throughout their Cybersecurity Experience. I was able to research the certifications that I was interested in and pursued them. After reading the materials, I have realized that I am not alone in this journey that had to deal with negativity from my peers and counter partners. I have learned the process of why opportunities were not given or being able to explore other options. I have grown from a lack of a support system to having outstanding Accountability Partners that will push you along the way.

I have mentioned that this industry wants you to embark on certifications and hands on work experience. Some people can master certifications while others have failed them a few times. In all, we as practitioners should continue to press towards the mark and not allow a test to define who we are and continue to preserve and master the certification. We all need to learn the art of studying and how to study to become successful in this field.

The following certifications I have failed one or twice include:

CompTia Network+

Cisco CCENT

Cisco CCDA

Cisco CyberOps

CSA CCSK

ISC²CISSP

Let’s fast forward to the present, I was able obtain new mentees throughout my Cybersecurity experience. I am constantly redefining myself and establishing new connections on all Social Media outlets. I have been pursuing the critical certifications in this field. I have realized that Cybersecurity is the new Information Technology. More people want to embark on Cybersecurity because it’s an exciting field and the most talked about in recent months from a Governmental Perspective.

I am open in becoming your mentor. Just know that your path may not be as similar as mine, however I was able to take the road less traveled. Some wise tips for you in succeeding in this industry:

• Learn to take some No’s and turn them into Yes’s
• Allow the negativity from others to become your fuel for success
• Learn from your failures because they are the best teachers in life
• Learn how to study and prepare for any certifications
• Search for online labs (free and paid) for Hands on Experience
• Make connections on LinkedIn
• ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP

I could have easily thrown in the towel; however, I have some great people to Thank and not allowing me to quit in the Process. These individuals are my accountability partners. From time to time, I must re-evaluate my circle and realize who has my best interest at heart.

Thank You Shaye Dunn for being the person to push me towards my goals in life when I wanted to quit. Because of your story as a 2X Colon Cancer survivor, there is a reason for being resilient.

Thank You Dr. Jennifer Hahn for being the person to help me rediscover my voice and passion about Cybersecurity. It’s because of you that I have resilience and continue to bounce back.

Thank You Demetria Bilbrew for your words of assurance during the storms of life.

Thank You to my Study, Notes, and Theory Study Group for allowing me to bounce back from one setback.

Thank You Tunde (Tu) Laniyonu for opening the doors to Cybersecurity and allowing me to envision my goals and dreams in 2019.

There’s probably several more people that I could and should Thank. Therefore, I will give a corporate Thank You for your Support and Connections throughout my professional and personal career.

I leave you with The Road Less Traveled by Robert Frost:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.