Becky Pincard describes herself as an outsider who has found her place in the cybersecurity industry and has been able to express her true identity.
Mr. Pincard has worked in cybersecurity since 1996 and is currently Managing Director of Global Cyber Operations at Barclays. She is also a speaker, diversity advocate and security her trainer, and she now feels she can be herself. She feels it is important for her to share her knowledge and experience and to “open her mouth and take the stage and share it with people.”
“When I was at Digital Shadows, they let me use my voice. That’s when I started to open up and share things and contribute to the community,” she said. told the Infosecurity Europe 2023 audience. “We really talked about how we got there, what my career path was, and about inclusivity and diversity.”
Watch Video: Hall of Famer Becky Pincard Highlights Her Career
She admits that her journey hasn’t always been an easy one. She started out as a volunteer when she worked at the SANS Institute, she learned that “it’s okay not to know everything, it’s 100% okay.” In the field of cybersecurity, it’s okay to laugh “even in the bank,” she said.
“In this industry you have to laugh. What’s the best answer to security questions? It depends. If ‘it depends’ isn’t the answer, then DNS is to blame.” It is in these small moments that lightness can be found. ”
To be successful in cybersecurity, Pinkard said, you need to treat people kindly, even when it’s hard. “It doesn’t take long,” she said.
We should step outside our comfort zone and encourage people to do the same. We shouldn’t be afraid to strike up conversations with others, she argued, for fear of saying the wrong thing.
This helped Pincard build a successful career in the cybersecurity field, but more importantly, find a place for her to feel at home.
“It took me a long time to figure it out,” she admitted. “I’m a hell of a lesbian! I had this homophobia internalized.” So why would anyone want me in the company or look up to me?”
Pincard’s experience in this industry changed things. “What I realized was that security gave me the house,” she said. “Weirdos [in cybersecurity] gave me a house ”
She appealed to the audience to open up to those who were unfamiliar with them. That’s who they bring to work and that’s why they succeed. We have to accept it or we will not succeed. ”
The Information Security Hall of Fame honors internationally recognized information security visionaries, luminaries, practitioners and advocates. The selection of participants is Information security Magazine and Infosecurity Europe editorial and content teams.
