Arctic Wolf’s Women Transforming Tech (WTT) Pack Unity Alliance serves as our platform for women and their allies to build community, create strong professional networks, foster career development, and identify informal and formal ways that Arctic Wolf can be more inclusive in our cybersecurity industry. Today, we’re sharing the perspective of Lauren Landry, our Vice President of Global Business Development and member of our Women Transforming Tech Pack Unity Alliance.
Can you share a bit about your personal journey in the cybersecurity field? What initially drew you to this industry and inspired you to pursue a career in it?
Lauren Landry: From a young age I was fascinated with technology — taking apart and putting back together radios and TVs to understand how they worked. (My parents loved that, lol.) So, it was only natural that this curiosity about technology would point me toward a career in software. 20 years ago, when I joined Oracle, we were just starting to sell cloud applications. The first cloud application was CRM. From there everything moved to the cloud. Ironically, the move to put all data in the cloud exponentially increased the need to have cybersecurity. It made sense to evolve from selling SAAS software to protecting organizations’ data.
The cybersecurity field can be quite demanding. What were some significant challenges you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them? Any advice for our readers/attendees on dealing with obstacles in this industry?
I think it can be challenging to help customers that have never experienced a breach or incident to understand the importance of having a cybersecurity strategy and investment. It is one of those things that organizations think will never happen to them. However, the destruction a breach can cause to an organization’s revenue is tremendous. We spend a great deal of time educating our customers on how to be prepared and mitigate their risk.
Photo of Lauren Landry
Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field. How do you stay up to date with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices? Could you share some strategies for continuous skill development?
Yes, the cybersecurity space is constantly evolving, and there is a ton of information out there that you can stay up to date with. I belong to CISO and cybersecurity groups on LinkedIn. I also love listening to podcasts and hearing real stories of people’s experiences with hackers. One of my favorites is Darknet Diaries. I also have an RSS feed through google so that I receive current events in cybersecurity in my inbox.
Many women face unique challenges in advancing their careers. What strategies did you employ to progress and succeed in your cybersecurity career? How did you advocate for your own professional growth?
I recently found a list of career goals I had for myself when I was 25 and the #1 goal was to lead a global tech business development organization, which I have accomplished. That is the first step, having a goal and vision for what you want your career to be. If you have that, then you can take the steps necessary to make it happen. It’s also important to find mentors in your career. Typically, this is someone more senior than you that can teach you, advocate for you, and sponsor your growth in your company. Gaining additional education is also helpful for your career and for your salary. I wanted to be global, so I gained a master’s degree in international business to increase my credibility and chances of promotion into a global role.
It’s also important to speak up and share the great work you are doing. If you have the entire senior leadership team at a company knowing about the great work you are doing, new opportunities will b e presented to you. Finally, if you are not being supported – look at other opportunities. There are so many great companies out there that will invest in you and your talent. Ask in interviews – how do you support employees’ career growth? What percent of women hold senior leadership positions? Questions like that will help you gauge if it is the right place for you to build and grow your career.
Mentorship and networking can be instrumental in one’s career growth. Have you had mentors who guided you in your journey? How has networking with peers and colleagues influenced your career path?
Absolutely, I have had mentors throughout my entire career. You can learn from your mentors, but they can also sponsor you and advocate for you to be considered for additional opportunities. The best way to find a mentor is to identify someone that has a job or skills that you want and ask to meet up with them over coffee. Have an agenda for your meeting, know what you want to discuss, bring them any new ideas you have, and then ask if they would be open to meet regularly.
I also make a point to engage with people in a similar role to me at other companies. I have regular calls with leaders to benchmark my work and brainstorm ways to improve our organization’s performance.
The cybersecurity field has traditionally been male dominated. Have you encountered gender-related stereotypes or biases during your career? How did you address these challenges and help break down barriers?
It can be challenging. As a woman, you’re not included in some of the social/work elements where men tend to bond. I have really focused on being the best I can be at my job and adding value. That has helped me to progress and move up in my career, even if I don’t have the same social connections. Arctic Wolf also has many females in positions of authority. That is something that is important to look for – how many senior leaders are female. If it’s zero, it will more than likely be more challenging for a woman.
Balancing a demanding cybersecurity career with personal life can be tough. How do you manage your work-life balance? Any tips for maintaining your well-being while excelling in your role?
I think a healthy work-life balance is not only critical for your wellbeing, but also for your success in your job. My daily routine is to wake up at 5 a.m., meditate for 20 minutes, hang out with my dogs, go to the gym and then get in to work by 8 a.m. This sets me up to have a great day where my mind is clear, I feel energized from my workout and am ready to go. I also love to travel and make a point to visit new places at least for one weekend a month. Being inspired by exploring new places, trying new foods, and learning new things gives me a different perspective that I can take into my work.
As an experienced professional in the cybersecurity field, what is your vision for the future of the industry? How do you hope to see it evolve, especially in terms of gender diversity and inclusivity?
I think Arctic Wolf is doing great work in terms of their employee resource groups. I think companies need to invest in diversity and make it a priority that encourages people from a wide range of backgrounds to make a career in cybersecurity. I personally am a gay, bi-racial female and joined Arctic Wolf because it was so welcoming to people of all backgrounds. In the future, companies will need to create an inclusive culture if they want to secure and retain top talent in cybersecurity.
