Journey into Cybersecurity

Derrick and I have been collaborating on the non-profit he founded called Tweens & Technology. Derrick and his company, T&T Creative Group, is helping me produce the Journey into Cybersecurity podcast and develop the marketing platform for The Triangle Net. I trust him to have my back. He is rock-solid dependable and an amazing mentor to many people including me.What I like about Derrick is his endless dedication and support of his community. Everything Derrick does is a direct or indirect investment in other people and their ability to grow and succeed. He invests in STEM education of children, including children with disabilities, and in the education of adults in cybersecurity and beyond. https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-4-derrick-thompson/

I met Rob Martin at the ISSA Raleigh chapter's monthly networking event a few years ago. Through the ISSA community, he introduced me to the many people who have become friends and colleagues in the cybersecurity and non-profit space. Rob was always willing to support programs at local schools when I tried to make children more aware of cybersecurity and privacy in middle and high schools. Rob continues to play an instrumental role on the board of the ISSA Raleigh chapter, and as a volunteer teacher and mentor to many people.What I like about Rob is his immense dedication to the education of others in cybersecurity. He's greatly invested to helping minorities, veterans, and underserved communities in gaining access to the resources they need to succeed. He rallies his “battle buddies” to lift people up and give them access to opportunities to learn, grow and work in cybersecurity and beyond. Rob inspires me to continue to grow and do my part in creating learning and growth opportunities for others in cybersecurity. I'm grateful for his presence in my life, the role model he is to me and for sharing his valuable lessons on this podcast. His positive impact and selfless leadership will be felt by many generations to come, I'm certain of it!If his story inspires you too and moves you to invest in yourself, let him know. I bet he would appreciate knowing that you are thriving thanks to his words of wisdom and guidance. Don't forget to pay it forward!https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-5-robert-martin/

Jon is a role model in selfless leadership, continued learning and kindness. Jon chose to become that person and leveraged the available resources in his environment. I hope you enjoy my chat with Jon and find inspiration in his journey into cybersecurity. You will understand very quickly, why I call him a “natural born hacker”.https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-2-jon-sternstein/

Frances Baldwin highlights in her Journey Into Cybersecurity podcast the importance of taking advantage of organizations and programs that support minorities during their educational and professional journey.Share her inspiring story with your colleagues, friends, kids and community. We need more fearless women on the cyber front.https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-3-frances-baldwin/ 

Gina inspires with her contagious positive energy, eagerness to learn and her interpersonal skills. She is very approachable and just super kind. We have been working together for a few years, where I position Agio's cybersecurity services to my clients and Gina steps in as a cybersecurity consultant, a virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), security trainer and compliance advisor. She does this with great enthusiasm and makes it look effortless.Gina is an inspiration of mine because she is so invested in her community. She volunteers for numerous non-profits like The Raleigh Rotary, Tweens & Technology, Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and many more.Enjoy her Journey into Cybersecurity and know that you too can be the change you want to see in the world!https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-1-gina-yacone/

De'Von Carter's amazing story is one that will give you chills every step of the way. His Journey into Cybersecurity has many chapters with a few twists and turns. There were some struggles, some adversity and some mistakes made over the years. But De'Von is the living proof that anything is possible with the right mindset, the right motivation and the right people by your side.De'Von is a passionate teacher, a selfless leader, a giver, a mentor, a role model and someone who is making this world so much better thanks to his dedication to the cybersecurity community, the future generation and equal opportunity to minorities. I know you will enjoy my chat with De'Von and will be inspired to follow his example and learn from his words of wisdom. What an honor it is to pay tribute to De'Von and those who supported him on his Journey into Cybersecurity! https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-10-devon-carter/

Alan Nobles has dedicated his entire career to healthcare in one capacity or another. Like most cybersecurity professionals, he didn't aspire to be a cybersecurity professional or study for it during his college years. Yet, he's found his purpose in helping healthcare organizations manage cybersecurity risk.I really wanted to share Alan's story because it can reassure young students that you don't have to have a perfect 5 or 10-year plan all figured out. I also think it's worth highlighting that every experience may benefit you in the future, and you may not realize it until you look backwards.What inspires me when speaking with Alan is how he's humble and grounded even though he continues to invest in the healthcare community through advocacy at SC HIMSS or teaching grad students about security and privacy best practices in healthcare. The world is such a better place thanks to selfless leaders like Alan. I hope you will enjoy my chat with Alan and that he will move you to pursue your purpose in cyber or health IT. And don't forget to pay it forward like Alan does.https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-9-alan-nobles

Joseph Mark Fitzner tells an unusual story about how he navigated life from home schooling to a career into cybersecurity. His Journey into Cybersecurity highlights the fact that not one person's journey is ever the same and that anyone can make it in cyber if they really want to.Just like my previous guests, you'll discover his generous mindset and intentional effort to share his experience, perspective and resources with any young student searching for their path or at least their next step.What inspires me speaking with Mark, and from previously working with him, is his growth mindset. I think it's amazing how he continues to raise the bar for himself, sets and achieves new goals while keeping his mind open to any new opportunities. In cyber, continued learning and investment in yourself is a must. And there are many different roles one can play during their career in cyber.Another admirable trait that Mark demonstrates is a healthy dose of humility. It's the fuel to continued growth and also the quality of a great teacher. Something tells me that Mark will teach many students in his professional career ahead. I personally learned so much from Mark and he always took the time to patiently explain the intricacies of cybersecurity.I hope you will enjoy my chat with Mark and that he will move you to pursue your purpose in cyber and to use the valuable lessons and resources he shares with us. And don't forget to pay it forward like Mark does.https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-8-mark-fitzner/

Nia was the first person who reached out to me via the website's contact page after seeing Gina's podcast post on her LinkedIn Feed. She wrote: “I fell in love with the company's mission and goals. I would love to share my story if you would consider me!”. And boy am I glad she reached out and we got to capture her Journey into Cybersecurity!You will be blown away by Nia's dedication to the various causes she supports, the investments she makes in her community, her family and herself. You'll be amazed by her eloquence and depth of knowledge on so my cybersecurity and compliance topics.I am so inspired by Nia and her story as I can relate to her as a woman, a working mother, an eternal learner and aspiring mentor. I absolutely love her “Dream Big” motto and how that is helping her achieve big goals and making a big impact, while challenging society's stereotypes and the limits of her comfort zone.I hope you will enjoy my chat with Nia and that she will move you to pursue your dream on your terms and use the valuable lessons and resources she shares with us. And don't forget to pay it forward like Nia does.https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-7-nia-luckey/

Gaylynn was the first person to reach out to me on the first day I announced my venture and website, The Triangle Net. She simply asked how she could help. What I learned from this initiative is that everyone has this amazing power to make a difference in the life of another person. It is as simple as asking: “How can I help you?”Gaylynn's story is yet another testimony of how the investment in community can generate a much greater return than you could ever expect. There is a circular movement in how a giving person feels a sense of obligation to pay it forward when given a chance, an opportunity that helps them grow and move forward.I absolutely love Gaylynn's commitment to helping others find their path into cybersecurity, and to supporting more women overcome obstacles along their way. It is always a rewarding experience meeting someone who understands their purpose. Gaylynn has that vision and perspective like an old soul. How grateful I am she reached out to me!I hope you will find my chat with Gaylynn inspiring and riveting. I encourage you to wonder how you can help someone along their journey. You would be amazed of the endless ways you too can make a positive impact. Try it. What do you have to lose?https://www.thetrianglenet.com/episode-7-gaylynn-fassler/