Today we’d like to introduce you to Mari Galloway.
Hi Mari, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Before getting into tech I was an assistant manager at a clothing store and was an armed security guard for the Department of state in DC. I ended up leaving physical security as I took a Network Engineer position with Accenture to help NGA transition their operations to Springfield, Virginia. From there, I went on to work for the Department of the Army in North Carolina as an Information Security and Assurance Engineer. There is was responsible for ensuring the classified network of systems were secured for certification and accreditation. I then began working at the Department of Homeland Security US-CERT, now known as CISA, in a SOC capacity managing and monitoring the IDS/IPS systems used. DHS is where I became a federal employee, which led to me joining the Incident Response team before I moved to Vegas to work private sector and help build a vulnerability management and pentesting program and security architecutre for a major casino in the valley. My latest roles have been with a major security vendor and now a major retailer, Footlocker. During this time the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu was born and I became a founding board member of one of the fastest growing technical hands-on training communities for women and girls. The #cyberjutsutribe is place for members to grow their networks, build their brands and learn real worlds skills through our workforce development programs.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course not. Starting as the only woman and being the only Black person on the team was a challenge. I was new, and it sometimes felt like I was isolated and didn’t really have a support system. My manager wanted me to be the secretary or something. Through the years, I have been told I’m not smart enough, I don’t belong, and I’m a fraud, coming from colleagues and managers alike. I have been told my hair should be a certain way, my clothing is inappropriate when covered, and sometimes even my nails get a little attention. All these things, but I took that energy and used it to excel in a space that traditionally isn’t as inviting for women and minorities. Even as things change, you still hear the stories of the unconscious bias and stereotypes
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu, aka Cyberjutsu, is a 501c(3) cybersecurity community for empowering women and girls to enter and advance in cybersecurity. Since 2012, we have supported the #cyberjutsutribe with cost-effective and free technical hands-cyber training and cyber competitions, conference access, volunteer and leadership opportunities as well as mentorship through small tribes and the relaunch of our Cyberjutsu Training Academy (CTA). This track-based cyber security learning program provides beginner to advanced learning for our members.
At Cyberjutsu, we want members to be their authentic selves and be comfortable in being themselves and being loud about it. When women, girls, and minorities come to an event, training or happy hour, we want them to see themselves represented. Colorful hair, let’s go. Long eccentric nails, let’s go. Suited and booted, let’s go. Hoodies and khakis, you can come too. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that with a career in cyber, you get to protect and defend some of our most precious assets, our data.
Cyberjutsu provides a safe place to learn and be vulnerable without fear. Thats what sets up apart and also helps our members grow.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Always have a backup plan. For us, we were already doing our training and workshops remotely so that transition wasn’t difficult. The difficulty came with competing with everyone for that virtual screen time. But having smaller more intimate spaces helped keep us close but also provide an outlet to discuss cyber or life. Basically, you have to be able to adapt to the environment or when changes happen that are out of your control. Panic doesn’t help.
Pricing:
- $50 Military and Student membership
- $100 Professional membership
- $250 Provides access to beginner training for 1
- $350 Provides access to advanced cloud and leadership training for 1
Contact Info:
- Website: womenscyberjutsu.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womencyberjutsu
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomensCyberjutsu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women’s-society-of-cyberjutsu/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/WomenCyberjutsu
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/WomensCyberjutsu12