15: Taking the unconventional cybersecurity career path, with Curtis Simpson

In the first of four special episodes being released during the month of October, today's episode is all about cybersecurity careers.Hazel, Ben and Noureen are joined by guests Mitch Neff and Corien Vermaak, for a discussion on how we all got our starts in the cybersecurity industry. As it turns out, none of us took a conventional path! We also talk about the people and the mentors that helped us along the way, including some practical advice for anyone who wants to be a mentor, or gain a mentor. We passionately tackle the topic of job descriptions and why they might be contributing to the so called "cybersecurity skills gap". We also talk about what hiring managers can do to make sure they're not putting the right people off with their words.Before that, Hazel meets Curtis Simpson, Chief Information Security Officer at Armis to discover his story. A self taught cybersecurity geek, Curtis spent 20 years at Sysco, building a decentralized network. He talks about how he turned around perceptions on cybersecurity being a cost centre, and focussed on how cybersecurity could contribute to business outcomes. He also touches on just how difficult a decision it was to leave after 20 years, but how he knew it was the right thing.We also talk about his organisation's reaction to COVID-19, and Curtis' take on the current threat landscape, particularly around securing IoT devices.We hope this episode proves that that there is no singular footpath into cybersecurity.  And that’s no bad thing. Time stamps:0.00 Intro3.46 Interview with Curtis Simpson47.26 Discussion on careers in cybersecurity1.42.00 CloseHere are some more resources as mentioned in our careers discussion:Noureen's cybersecurity mentoring hub: https://cybersecmentorship.orgNoureen's mentor and mentee group on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8673525/Cisco NetAcademy courses: https://www.netacad.com/courses/cybersecurityBlue Team Village Discord of which Talos are a sponsor: https://discord.com/invite/blueteamvillageAlso check out our just published eBook: Diversity in Cybersecurity: A Mosaic of Career Possibilities