How Sam Fariborz Navigated the Aussie Cybersecurity Landscape

Secured by Galah Cyber

When Sam Fariborz moved to Australia from Iran, she had been working as an IT manager. While she had plenty of experience and strong technical skills, the move to Australia was challenging, and in this episode Sam discusses some of the barriers to entry she faced. By attending cybersecurity events and reaching out to people on LinkedIn, Sam found mentors and peers who helped progress her career, and today Sam is Cybersecurity Services & Program Manager for Kmart group which employs nearly 50,000 people across Australia and New Zealand. Sam chats with Cole Cornford about how to network effectively, the growth of cybersecurity as a profession in the last couple of decades, the need for greater diversity within the industry, and plenty more.

Secured by Galah Cyber website

Time Stamps

4:15 - Sam’s journey into cybersecurity.

5:00 - Sam losing her confidence when coming to Australia.

6:00 - Cole has seen people from overseas struggle to fit into Australian work culture.

7:00 - Sam’s experience with racism.

8:10 - Sam’s positive experiences meeting mentors.

9:10 - Cole’s uni address and why “career ladder” is a terrible analogy.

11:45 - Sam: a story of one mentor who changed the path of her career.

14:10 - Cole: giving back to the community that fosters you.

16:40 - How to network effectively.

17:00 - The value of attending community events.

19:00 - The growth of cyber community in Australia.

20:00 - Sam: today everyone wants to get into cyber.

20:20 - The increasing gender diversity within cybersecurity.

21:30 - Sam: the need for greater diversity within cybersecurity.

27:20 - Sam’s experience being a woman in a cyber leadership role.

28:20 - Sam: most women feel like they need to be perfect to be acceptable.

31:40 - Sam: cybersecurity is changing every day.

32:10 - Sam: cybersecurity professionals have a positive impact on the lives of people.

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