Episode #39. Women in Security with Jacqui Loustau
“For entry level, a lot of roles today require experience. But I think it’s about expanding your network and finding opportunities through that way”
— Jacqui Loustau
Jacqui Loustau has 19 years of international experience in a range of technologies and practical experience across multiple security domains within different industry sectors. This includes working on various high profile projects within the European Commission, UK government, NHS and the financial sectors. Jacqui currently works for Cynch Security, where they are helping small businesses get and stay cyber fit. Jacqui is founder of the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) which aims to connect, support and inspire more people, in particular, women to pursue a career in security; and is co-author of the international book ‘Women in the security profession’.
In this episode, Jacqui shares her career history and how she ended up in security; being a remodel for other women in security; and why she started the AWSN. We discuss her new role at Cynch Security and flexible working, and how the AWSN is helping upcoming security leaders with their career progression.
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Time Stamps:
00:29 – Jacqui’s introduction and background
01:47 - How Jacqui got to where she is today
02:49 – “I had to do my CCNA so I learned about networking for the first time, touched my first router. I did my SANS security course as well, so that's where I got my love for security” – Jacqui Loustau
06:43 – What drove Jacqui to start the AWSN
10:20 – “What lessons have you learned from…raising the network from its beginnings as a LinkedIn group to an organisation across multiple states?”
12:09 - Being a role model and supporting other women in the industry
14:16 –Starting work at Cynch
16:14 - Getting that work life balance with job share
20:56 - “For any of these schemes to work it needs to be equal. So it's not just women that are getting this flexible working, but it should also be the men as well” – Jacqui Loustau
21:45 - Common discussions Jacqui has with other security leaders in regards to job search and career progression.
26:33 - “We've created the AWSN cadets initiative…we expose them to different companies…that have security roles, and are in different areas of security…they go through technical workshops etc…we have something like 79 cadets at the moment going through that” – Jacqui Loustau