Cheryl Auger

I attribute my success in cybersecurity to my ability to keep changing. Over my career, things have changed a lot - technology has changed, policy has changed, and critical vulnerabilities and attacks have changed. So being able to keep changing, I think, is the most important aspect that has made me successful. In a field that's constantly evolving, especially with new threats and automated attacks, staying adaptable and willing to learn and shift with the landscape has been key to my longevity and effectiveness in this role.

Honestly, the best career advice I received was actually advice I shouldn't have followed. I've grown up in a very male-dominated career space, and I was told to act more like a man and less like a woman. But I've learned that's completely wrong - you actually really need compassion and kindness, and sometimes to be nurturing, and all of the things that we may have as traits as women, whatever traits we have, they're all valuable and they're all important to help bring along a team or grow a team. So I guess the real lesson is the opposite of that bad advice - you can bring your skills to work, and every skill is useful in an organization. There was another guy who said that I should find a job where I could laugh all the time, because I was obviously the type of person that enjoyed having a good time, and you know, I'd enjoy my work. But it's always been weird, I think, having a female in my role - people are just assuming that I'd be happier doing something else, like when my sister said I should quit and become a teacher to work with children. But I've found my place in cybersecurity, and I've learned that all my traits, including the ones that are traditionally seen as feminine, are actually strengths in this field.

For cybersecurity, it's a growing field, and I'd say probably the most significant growth opportunity is working with AI to stay ahead of automated attacks and intrusions. Countering intelligence with AI, dealing with spoofing, and all of those things - really countering intelligence, I guess, is going to be the interesting part of our world going forward. The challenge and opportunity both lie in how we use artificial intelligence to protect against increasingly sophisticated threats.

Honesty is important to me, but I think as far as work values go, collaboration is key. I value having team players and sharing the stage. It's about helping people come up if your strengths are stronger, and allowing people to help you if your strengths are weaker. I believe in creating an environment where everyone's contributions are valued and where we support each other's growth. It's not about individual achievement, but about what we can accomplish together as a team.