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Secure the Job: Breaking into Security

Breaking Down the Cybersecurity Industry with Stephanie, Ilana, and Evan

Season 1, Ep. 1

Secure the Job: Breaking into Security is hosted by three young professionals working in Cybersecurity at Microsoft. They've witnessed the current skills gap first-hand and created this podcast to help you, our future defenders, break into the industry. In each episode, they'll interview executives, influencers, and frontline defenders to break down the Cybersecurity industry while teaching you the skills you need to be successful in any role! Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect this season.   

   

   

In This Episode You Will Learn:     

  

  • How each host got started in the world of cybersecurity  
  • Why they decided it was important to start the podcast  
  • What Microsoft is doing for the security industry  

  

Some Questions We Ask:     

  

  • How can you be successful in marketing, sales, or engineering?  
  • Do you need to be a tech expert to be successful in Cybersecurity?   
  • How can we help you, our future defenders, break into the industry?  

   

Resources:    

View Stephanie Machuca on LinkedIn  

View Ilana Basman on LinkedIn  

View Evan Brown on LinkedIn  

  

  

Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   

Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks    

Listen to: Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   

Listen to: Security Unlocked     

Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault       

       

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  

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  • 5. Building a More Diverse Workforce with Naria Santa Lucia

    31:09
    Naria Santa Lucia, Microsoft's GM of Philanthropies, joins Stephanie, Ilana, and Evan on this week's episode of Secure the Job: Breaking into Security. Naria oversees Microsoft's global philanthropic strategy, grant investments, and partnerships in digital skills, computer science education, and career pathways. Naria collaborates with nonprofit organizations worldwide to help millions of people thrive in the digital economy and is currently the Chair of the World Bank's Solutions for Youth Employment. Naria discusses Microsoft's global philanthropic strategy, what different pathway in tech looks like, and what the industry can do to support the next generation of cyber defenders.    In This Episode You Will Learn:        Programs our audience, early in career individuals, should look into   Why it's critical to focus on career pathways for underserved communities   How industry veterans can apply their skills for a new role in security    Some Questions We Ask:        What can you tell us about Microsoft’s global philanthropic strategy for helping close the skills gap?    How is Microsoft partnering with organizations to empower the new generation of cyber defenders?   How has the pandemic accelerated digital transformation in the industry?    Resources:      View Naria Santa Lucia on LinkedIn  View Stephanie Machuca on LinkedIn  View Ilana Basman on LinkedIn  View Evan Brown on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks    Listen to: Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Listen to: Security Unlocked     Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault              Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  
  • 4. The World of Threat Intelligence with Emily Hacker

    42:06
    Emily Hacker, a threat intelligence analyst at Microsoft, working on the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, joins Stephanie, Ilana, and Evan on this week's episode of Secure the Job: Breaking into Security. Emily's team helps anticipate, pre-empt, and respond to different incidents on the front lines of customers' networks. Emily discusses the role threat intelligence plays within cybersecurity, the challenges of tracking cyber criminals, and the importance of soft skills on the job.   In This Episode You Will Learn:       What Emily finds the most interesting about her work  What changes need to happen for us to get ahead of cybercriminals  How Emily ended up working for the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center    Some Questions We Ask:       What are some of the biggest trends you’ve seen in the last few months?   How would you define threat intelligence?   If you had to explain your job to an average joe, how would you explain it?      Resources:    Follow Emily on Twitter    View Emily Hacker on LinkedIn  View Stephanie Machuca on LinkedIn  View Ilana Basman on LinkedIn  View Evan Brown on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks    Listen to: Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Listen to: Security Unlocked     Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault              Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  
  • 3. Career Moves with Cybersecurity Girl  

    40:53
    Caitlin Sarian, known on TikTok as Cybersecurity Girl, joins Stephanie, Ilana, and Evan on this week's episode of Secure the Job: Breaking into Security. Caitlin is the Global Lead of Cybersecurity Advocacy at Tiktok and is a prominent cybersecurity influencer with almost half a million followers across social media platforms. With her nearly ten years of international experience in cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection, she discusses how she got started in security, current industry trends she is paying attention to, and what excites her about the future.   In This Episode You Will Learn:       What inspired Caitlin to start her TikTok account  How her perception of security changed after starting her career  What she considers the single most important skill in this type of work    Some Questions We Ask:       What have you found most interesting about creating this type of content?   How have you used this as a platform to spread your message?   What is your message to Cybersecurity hiring executives?    Resources:    Caitlins School of CyberSecurity   Follow Caitlin on TikTok    View Caitlin Sarian on LinkedIn  View Stephanie Machuca on LinkedIn  View Ilana Basman on LinkedIn  View Evan Brown on LinkedIn    Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks    Listen to: Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Listen to: Security Unlocked     Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault              Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  
  • 2. Creating Pathways for the Underrepresented with Lauren Buitta

    36:48
    Lauren Buitta, the founder and CEO of Girl Security, joins Stephanie, Ilana, and Evan on this week's episode of Secure the Job: Breaking into Security. Girl Security prioritizes serving underrepresented communities, communities in low-opportunity zones, and communities targeted by violence. In 2022, Lauren was named "One of the Most Influential People in Security" by Security Magazine. She was named "One of 50 Women Making the World a Better Place" by Instyle Magazine in 2021 and awarded the 21st Century Leader Award by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy. Lauren discusses what cybersecurity looked like when she first started, current trends that excite her in the industry, the importance of women to the cybersecurity landscape, and how you can learn more and get involved with Girl Security.    In This Episode You Will Learn:       Why identity and representation are increasingly important in cybersecurity  How her time working for the government influenced Girl Security  What excites Lauren about the future of cybersecurity and Girl Security    Some Questions We Ask:       What did cybersecurity look like when you first started?  How did the journey to creating girl security begin?   Given the current skills gap landscape, what does the industry need?       Resources:    More details at girlsecurity.org  Follow Girl Security on Twitter    View Lauren Buitta on LinkedIn  View Stephanie Machuca on LinkedIn  View Ilana Basman on LinkedIn  View Evan Brown on LinkedIn      Related Microsoft Podcasts:                   Listen to: Uncovering Hidden Risks    Listen to: Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson   Listen to: Security Unlocked     Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault              Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts  
  • Trailer

    01:09
    Welcome to Secure the Job: Breaking into Security. Hosted by Microsoft Security young professionals, Stephanie, Evan, and Ilana focus each episode on a new guest, pulling back the curtain to help lower the barrier of entry and explore what it takes to break into the cybersecurity space.