https://www.secfink.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-04-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/a38bd6ca-42ba-47a6-9133-a12dd0b98e18/JD4_9354.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/a0b4338a-ba4a-457c-89cf-f7e77374e554/Headshot1.jpg https://www.secfink.com/blog/leading-the-charge-where-seasoned-wisdom-meets-the-ai-driven-startup-frontier monthly 0.5 2026-04-08 https://www.secfink.com/blog/insomnia monthly 0.5 2026-02-20 https://www.secfink.com/blog/womens-society-of-cyberjutsu-small-tribes-experience-6bnna monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/1758058335685-95J8452FU7AKZ2AO40EU/CyberjitsuSmallTribe.jpeg Blog - Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu - Small Tribes Experience - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.secfink.com/blog/what-is-your-cyber-security-journey-9yhmx monthly 0.5 2025-09-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/bb7b7313-9ff1-4eba-b5d0-a8211e0e8970/Zempoala.png Blog - My Information Security Journey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/ce8a79b7-c85e-4092-b08e-d25a3a97acbd/OilnGas.png Blog - My Information Security Journey After graduation, I went on to become the Technical/Office Manager for Charles Barney LLC. He believed in my skills and helped me see the value I brought to the business. He guided me to becoming more than I believed I could be at the time. I quickly became the ‘Go-To Tech Guru’. I helped to implement several Oil and Gas applications to help monitor all of Mr. Barney’s Oil rigs. I also automated several accounting tasks to help the accountant from having to do them manually. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/043c8259-54d0-494a-a361-81b30de81780/Lawfirm.png Blog - My Information Security Journey I moved on to a smaller law firm in May of 2000, where I was able to expand my knowledge and skills. The firm's IT department consisted of 1 Sr Engineer and 2 Service Desk Technicians. I learned everything from implementing Cisco routers and switches to APs. The firm’s Partners and Special Council would ask me to help them set up their home network. This is when I started creating wireless network segmentations for their kids, guests, and home network. I helped to implement security controls before I even knew what they were. I continued my learning and training by getting the CompTIA Project + certification. This helped me to manage my first major Tech refresh project before I knew what tech refresh was. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/b8dcd9ee-b695-4f03-9c05-402a3ad55c33/Vivid.JPG Blog - My Information Security Journey I moved back to Texas in 2007 and continued working as a Sr. IT Project Manager for a Medical Device company. There I homed in on my technical skills and managed several tech refresh projects. Fast forward to 2010, I went to work for Dell, continuing to manage technical refresh projects. I also became a Firearms and Personal Protection Instructor, where I taught a lot of Firearms and personal protection classes in my 5'ish years of traveling and teaching throughout the state of Texas. I mentored a lot of women to become more comfortable with their firearms and personal security all while still having a full-time job as a Sr. IT Program Manager at Dell. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/87195993-c820-4c11-99a8-27c913d1fabf/338+Lapua.JPG Blog - My Information Security Journey In looking back at what drew me to become a Firearms and Personal Protection Instructor, I think it had to do a lot with all of my instructors and mentors. When I spoke with them, they all agreed it was in my nature to be strong, even though I was small and petite and could get into places without being noticed. With the training I took and the push I got from my mentors, I became a Certified Personal Protection Officer. This is where personal security and professional security became very similar in my brain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/e780899e-b7e4-4deb-850e-34d96d92c219/Cyber1.jpg Blog - My Information Security Journey Fast forward to 2017, I met an amazing person, Steve Fink [Fink], he has built his career in Information. He introduced me to my first Information Security conference in 2018, BSides in Austin. Later that year he introduced me to the Black Hat Community, and I attended my first Black Hat as a Conference Associate. I was able to network with a lot of the Information Community Leaders. That’s when I knew my next career move was to go into Information Security. I was lucky enough to attend the 2018 Black Hat Keynote, and Persia’s talk is what made me want to be just like her when I “grow up” in Information. She was amazing, I related to all she had to say. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/9ea021cf-f637-472c-9690-d885b4e77083/BreakingGlass.png Blog - My Information Security Journey The journey has not been without its challenges but one thing I can say is don’t let setbacks, rejections, let downs or failures deter you from your goals. If you fail, fail fast and hard, take that as an opportunity to learn and keep learning. Remember to celebrate your wins and the wins of others. Network with folks in the Information Security realm and find mentors that will help point you in the right direction as you find your way in this ever evolving world of Information Security. As I have said, the world of Information Security is huge, so do your research and find your thing that inspires and interests you, this is where you will shine. Talk to folks in the industry and join Groups or communities so you can grow your network and learn from others. Find a mentor that can help you with setting goals, learning, join Capture the Flag Competitions, and attend as many conferences as you can. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/6de585ca-eb9d-48da-a140-024c19a2916a/Cyber2.jpg Blog - My Information Security Journey Looking ahead, I’m excited about the future of Information Security. Technologies such as artificial intelligence [AI], machine learning, and quantum computing will revolutionize the field. My goal is to continue growing as a professional, contributing to the community, and staying at the forefront of technological advancements. The key to learning and future-forward thinking is to embrace emerging technologies and be prepared to adapt to new paradigms in the Information Security landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664e5f695cc9546d06d1501c/39d3b9ed-ad2d-4644-a7b9-d2b05f451f7c/Cyber3.jpg Blog - My Information Security Journey My Information Security journey has been a combination of education, hands-on experience, innate curiosity, a commitment to ongoing learning, and the invaluable lessons gained from overcoming various challenges. It’s a field that requires passion, dedication, and a constant drive to stay ahead of adversaries. For anyone considering a career in Information Security, my advice is simple: stay curious, be proactive, and never stop learning. 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