In this episode of the Cyber Consulting Room podcast, host Gordon Draper sits down with cybersecurity experts Catherine Goodwin Garcia and Bradley Busch to explore their unique journeys into the field and the critical role diversity plays in driving innovation. Catherine opens up about her unconventional transition from ballet to cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and advocating for greater female representation in the industry. Bradley shares his shift from aerospace engineering to cybersecurity, stressing the value of continuous learning and adapting to the evolving tech landscape.

Together, they dive into the challenges women face in cybersecurity, the power of mentorship, and the need for inclusive, supportive environments that foster innovation and resilience. The conversation also highlights the importance of diversity in cybersecurity, not only for fostering creativity but also for improving security strategies.

Brad and Cathy also discuss the evolving threat landscape, focusing on the crucial role of human factors in cybersecurity. Brad underlines the significance of understanding people in tackling threats like social engineering and deepfakes, while Cathy stresses the need for collaboration across teams and the importance of building support networks to combat CISO burnout. They also touch on the changing responsibilities of CISOs and initiatives like Cyber Chix, which are working to create a more inclusive, supportive space for women in the industry.

If you're passionate about making a difference in cybersecurity and want to learn more about building a diverse, inclusive community, tune in and be inspired to take action! Join us in promoting innovation, resilience, and inclusivity in this dynamic field.

In This Episode:

• (00:00:02) Introduction to the guests
• (00:02:29) Catherine's journey into cybersecurity
• (00:09:27) Bradley's background and transition
• (00:12:17) Common biases women face in cybersecurity
• (00:17:13) Unconscious bias in hiring practices
• (00:19:26) Gender expectations in the workplace
• (00:21:03) Biases in design
• (29:53) - The evolving threat landscape
• (30:33) - People as strengths and weaknesses
• (32:08) - Managing emotional responses
• (34:18) - Building support networks
• (35:16) - Emerging cyber threats overview
• (37:43) - Evolving role of CISOs
• (40:03) - CISO burnout and support
• (42:16) - The need for team collaboration
• (47:00) - Advice for women in cybersecurity
• (50:49) - Introduction to Cyber Chicks
• (55:14) - Learning the trade safely
• (56:18) - Resources for aspiring hackers
• (57:42) - Transferable skills in cybersecurity

Notable Quotes

• [00:08:49] “Find somebody who you can talk with, who can actually guide you along, is willing to give you some advice from time to time, and be your friend and hold your hand.” - Catherine
• [00:17:13] “Women over 50 are going to have a harder time getting a job; they're going to have a difficult time doing things because they may have been out of the industry for a while.” - Catherine
• [00:22:33] “One of the things that I really resist is when another male says, ‘Oh, I'm off to do daddy daycare, I've got to look after the kids.’ I'm like, no, that's called parenting. You are that child's parent.” - Bradley
• [00:29:00] “Experience is the thing you get just after you needed it. Now I have experience as I learned from somebody else's place. If age has given me any wisdom, listen

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