I got into cyber – through data analytics and behavior risk. It wasn’t until later in my career that I understood how the digital age and the technology our world connects with could also present a risk as more people and organizations become victims of cybercrime. That is what propelled my career into cybersecurity, and why I cofounded ClearForce. Since then, ClearForce has worked with multiple companies across different industries to help them recognize the signs of a cyberattack and provide them with a streamlined way to report it.   

For me, a positive cyber mindset is – Being open to improving and evolving your current security model. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, especially for businesses that handle sensitive information and data. Companies need to understand that cyberattacks can happen to anyone and be open to adapting new technologies – especially since human beings are the most common entry points in cybercrime attacks.  

The life experience that helped me transition to a career in cyber – The people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with and learn from have been an essential part of my transition to, and success in, the cybersecurity industry. Through ClearForce, I’ve worked with incredible people such as the late and Honorable Ellen Tauscher, who helped build the early foundations of our company. Ellen joined our board of directors in our second year of operation and her energy and positive influence created a living legacy within our organization. Ellen was a special person in every sense. She served as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, Special Envoy for Strategic Stability and Missile Defense at the State Department, U.S. Representative for California’s 10th congressional district, the youngest and one of the first women to become a member of the New York Stock Exchange, chairman of the Board of Governors for two of our nuclear laboratories (Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore) and as a cancer survivor, the chairman of the Board of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation. 

People like Ellen display a commitment to national security that has been a guiding principle in our company and has helped my career in many ways. In short, I’ve learned that you are only as good as the people with whom you surround yourself. 

My top tips for those interested in transitioning to a career in cybersecurity are – My recommendation for anyone whether you are a CEO or just someone interested in the cybersecurity profession is to pay attention to the details and be ready to act quickly. So much of this profession is simply a matter of knowing where to look for warning signs and not ignoring things when they seem off. At the first signs of a cyberattack, you need to act immediately. Even a few hours or days can be the difference in preventing the situation from escalating.  

Also, know to look in places where it’s least expected. Insider attacks can happen and are more common than people think. To mitigate cyberattacks, individuals or organizations may want to invest in a continuous behavioral monitoring system that tracks any people-based risk and red flags before anything can lead to actions that cause damage.  

The quote I live by is – “I’m a big believer in starting with high standards and raising them. We make progress only when we push ourselves to the highest level. If we don’t progress, we fall back into bad habits, laziness, and poor attitude.” — Dan Gable, Wrestling National Champion, World Gold and Olympic Gold Medalist. 

In this quote, Coach Gable suggests that there is no concept of “business as usual” and emphasizes that you cannot be complacent. I have always believed that this applies to every organization. There must be a collective effort to move forward, innovate, learn, and adapt.