Hacker in Heels

With 30+ data centers across 14 different countries, Google deploys some of the most robust physical security controls in the industry to protect the machines within. November’s Connection Call introduces you to one of Google’s very own Technical Infrastructure Internal Audit team members. If you’re curious about the physical security controls in place at Google’s data centers and how they could be applied to YOUR company’s information security defenses—you will NOT want to miss this call! Guest Mentor Kim Cote is a Cybersecurity Auditor at Google (and proud mother of two!) She’s spent the last three years auditing Google's technical infrastructure, including physical security at Google's data centers AND access to machine learning (ML) chips. Join us on Tuesday, November 12th at 4P PT / 7P ET and get actionable advice on: ?? How to balance speed and safety when implementing least privilege. ?? What your organization needs in order to have detective controls that actually work. ?? The true key to establishing effective defense-in-depth. Each month Hacker in Heels brings in leaders from across cybersecurity and adjacent areas to provide Insiders with actionable, inspirational mentorship. This is your chance to meet power players that can help you make your mark on the cybersecurity industry. Join us live to connect with fellow Insiders and get your most pressing questions answered by some of the best practitioners out there. Sign up: hackerinheels.com/insiders

Do you remember our first Hacker in Heels Salon at SquadCon 2023? Though the concept has evolved to curated dinners in beautiful private dining spaces, we’re still dedicated to promoting the voices of cybersecurity women at conferences. We’ve redesigned the Salon space to be more transport (and storage!) friendly, and are continuing to upgrade it with each event. Come see the latest iteration of the Popup Salon at CyberMarketingCon in Philadelphia this December! The event agenda is FULL of valuable speakers, workshops, networking, and consults with experts and cybersecurity professionals. It’s also your chance to talk with Founder Stacey Champagne about partnerships for next year’s Hacker in Heels events! CyberMarketingCon attendees will get the first chance to hear about and join up with us on our creative and fun initiatives for 2025. ??? Get your ticket to CyberMarketingCon “Marketing Wonderland” December 8-11 | https://bit.ly/cmc-hih

Join Hacker in Heels in “Marketing Wonderland” this December at CyberMarketingCon 2024! ?? Four days ?? 50+ speakers ?? 15+ workshops and sessions …covering ALL aspects of cybersecurity marketing! ? Come find us in our “Popup Salon." We’ll be promoting women’s voices in cybersecurity with our library of women-authored cybersecurity books, and chatting with potential partners for next year’s Hacker in Heels events. There’s also a TON of networking opportunities sprinkled throughout the event that are guaranteed to spark new creative connections—no matter what corner of cybersecurity you come from! ??? Get your ticket: https://bit.ly/cmc-hih

In August we witnessed an incredible gathering of talented women at our Hacker in Heels Salon in Las Vegas, where experiences were shared, connections were made, and support flourished. The energy in the room was palpable, filled with laughter, encouragement, and the inspiring stories of women breaking barriers in cybersecurity. We'd like to give a huge shoutout to our Event Sponsor, Deepwatch! Their unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for women in technology and cybersecurity is truly commendable. Through thoughtful initiatives that promote psychological safety and career development, Deepwatch is paving the way for a brighter future for women in cybersecurity. Together, we are creating spaces where women feel empowered to grow, thrive, and lead in their careers.

Risk quantification isn’t hard or time consuming. If it is—you’re doing it wrong. Hear from an expert who knows what works and what doesn’t when it comes to cybersecurity risk quantification, as well as how to integrate it into a risk management program. October’s Connection Call is for anyone looking for a way to measurably reduce risk and effectively communicate to leadership about it. Join us on Tuesday, October 8th at 4P PT / 7P ET and get actionable advice on: ?? Identifying the data needed to quantify cybersecurity risk ?? How to calculate cybersecurity risk using a “back-of-napkin” method ?? Communicating cybersecurity risk to executive leadership Guest Mentor Charlene Deaver-Vazquez is the President at FISMACS, LLC. She has over 35 years of experience in network design and security, currently performing agency-wide cybersecurity risk analyses and risk quantification. Charlene is also a Security Specialist at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and instructor of Cybersecurity Risk Quantification at Boise State University’s Cyber Resilience and Operations Program (CORe)—recently named one of the top 10 cyber programs in the US by Forbes Magazine! Each month Hacker in Heels brings in leaders from across cybersecurity and adjacent areas to provide Insiders with actionable, inspirational mentorship. ??♀? This is YOUR CHANCE to meet power players that can help you make your mark on the cybersecurity industry. Join us live to connect with fellow Insiders and get your most pressing questions answered by some of the best practitioners out there. Sign up: hackerinheels.com/insiders

Twelve women in cybersecurity made the bold decision to get back in the race and finish what they started. On September 1st, the CISSP Study Sprint began and our sprinters have been racking up points by completing positive study habits. They're earning points for: ?? Reading from a study guide ?? Watching study videos ?? Completing a CISSP practice exam ?? Creating study materials ... and more! With less than two weeks left, we can't wait to celebrate at the finish line. Share your words of encouragement and tips for the CISSP exam. Help our participants finish strong! Want to participate in programs and challenges like this to help you advance your cybersecurity career? Become a Hacker in Heels Insider: hackerinheels.com/insiders

We’re grateful to have worked with Twingate as a Series Sponsor for the Hacker in Heels Salons in 2024. Twingate champions transparent promotion practices, flexible work arrangements, and management training focused on overcoming gender bias and fostering inclusive workplaces. In an era where remote work is the norm, Twingate understands the critical need for secure access management. Their innovative Zero Trust platform provides a robust solution for various use cases, ensuring that your resources remain protected, no matter where your team is located. This commitment to security, combined with their focus on diversity and inclusion, made Twingate a perfect fit for our community of trailblazers. At Hacker in Heels, we are committed to partnering with companies that prioritize the advancement of women in cybersecurity. If your organization shares our vision and is eager to elevate its profile alongside a community dedicated to excellence, we invite you to explore sponsorship opportunities. Visit hackerinheels.com/salon to learn more and apply!

The Hacker in Heels Salon is not just an event; it's a movement that connects women from diverse backgrounds in the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Imagine an evening filled with laughter, insightful conversations, and delicious food, all while sharing invaluable career tips and resources. We recently had an incredible evening in Las Vegas, thanks to our amazing Event Sponsor, Deepwatch! They embody what it means to support women in tech, with policies that promote equity, parental support, and comprehensive training. We believe in partnering with companies that are committed to real change and fostering an inclusive environment where women can shine. Are you part of a company that shares our vision? Do you want to elevate your brand while making a difference? Join us in creating an this space for ambitious women in cybersecurity! Head over to hackerinheels.com/salon to discover how to become a sponsor in 2025. Together, we can amplify our impact and ensure a brighter future for women in cybersecurity!

We intellectually know we need to set a boundary or have a hard conversation, but oftentimes when we're in burnout we've said yes to too many things. Sometimes they're things we shouldn't be doing—and then we're saying no to the things we actually should be doing! Working with your body around this can be immensely, immensely helpful. Here's how: 1?? Pick something in your room. A door, a vase of flowers, something that's like close by, but not too close. 2?? Pick the thing, the person, the relationship you want to set a boundary with. 3?? Gesture to yourself with your hands while saying "this is me" Then, gesture to the object while saying "and that is you." And as you do that with your body, you're going to start to notice something that you couldn't have noticed when you were too close to something. Maybe you were too close for good reasons, too close for confusing reasons, too close because it's a toxic work situation kind of reasons. It applies to everything. It's going to allow your body to start to give you feedback, and provide discernment and clarity in a way that your mind can't access because it's too hooked into the paradigm or the circular thinking that you're having about it. —Amy Babish, Somatic Coach & Retreats @ Amy Babish, LLC Catch the recording of August's Monthly Connection Call in the Hacker in Heels Insiders community. Learn this technique and more to mange burnout with the help of your body.

It’s time to step into your power and recognize the incredible potential that lies within you. Too often, we allow excuses to hold us back, convincing ourselves that we aren't ready or qualified enough for the amazing opportunities that come our way. Let's shift the narrative. ?? Every single one of us has unique strengths and talents that can shine brightly in cybersecurity. Instead of focusing on what you lack, celebrate your accomplishments and the skills you bring to the table. Next time you face resistance—whether you're trying to get promoted, or get assigned a new project—don't hesitate to advocate for yourself. Stand firm in your worth and share your successes with confidence. You are the solution, and now is your time! Share your cybersecurity career goals with us in the comments, and let’s support each other on this journey to success!