Board Member Spotlight: Pam Lindemoen, Chief Information Security Officer Advisor | CISCO

You’re our newest board member! What does it mean to you to be a part of the NCA Board of Directors?

It is an honor to serve on the board for the National Cybersecurity Alliance.  The mission “to create a more secure, interconnected world” aligns with my own personal and professional goals. I’ve had a long-standing career in the technology field across various verticals, and I’ve seen firsthand how important security – now more than ever – applies to everything as we connect and automate through technology. 

On a personal note, broadening the reach of messaging the importance of being safe in a digital world with the NCA Board is a catalyst to broadcast learnings on all things technology and cybersecurity.

How do CISCO’s cybersecurity interests align with the National Cybersecurity Alliance mission to educate and empower our global digital society?

Cisco designs, builds, operates, and acts with security, data protection and privacy at our foundation. It is what drew me to the organization a little over a year ago. For 20 years, Cisco Networking Academy has changed the lives of 10.9 million students in 180 countries by providing education, technical training, and career mentorship. 

Recently, Cisco announced a new goal: to offer digital skills training to 25 million learners over the next 10 years. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that offers free education for all, including courses in the cybersecurity field. I hope to become another spark between these organizations with aligned interests of education to drive the empowerment of people who may have never known or understood how to protect themselves in the digital world.

Congrats on being the co-host for the Do We Belong Here Podcast, you mentioned that people often identify you as an extrovert, but you feel more like an introvert. How do you navigate the workplace as a self-proclaimed introvert?

I have had some great coaching on this topic, surprisingly very late in my career.  As a direct result of this, I recommend to young professionals now to find a coach/mentor as soon as possible, since I believe that there is nothing more valuable.  My coach provided tools to approach the workplace with my personality in mind. 

Simply put, I manage it all through healthy habits and systems. Learning where to direct your own focus is incredibly valuable, and you must learn to implement systems and processes that work best for your individual needs.  This is why a coach and/or mentor can be so helpful, they see things that you may not.

My current role at Cisco requires public speaking and travel which reinforces the need for boundaries set for personal time, family time, exercise, and meditation.  The management of a hectic schedule is of most importance, mainly because I have a young son and family that needs my time and attention too.  It pains me to decline events, but there are times I must in order to balance my career and personal commitments.  Learning to say no is a skillset that took me some time to master and I’m constantly adjusting or checking in with my support system for feedback.   

I’m very fortunate to have a great support system around me, which includes people who respect my boundaries and keep me in check. Boundaries and systems have made a strong impact on my own mental health, which in turn has allowed me to show up as my best self and in turn give back to the community by mentoring and coaching others.

How would you describe a successful day at work?

My days vary, but as my title suggests, predominantly I advise Chief Information Security Officers as well as boards and technology executives. The conversations center around complex security problems and solutions.  The sharing of solutions, techniques and ideas across verticals and sizes of organizations is powerful… and needed. 

I participate in customer meetings, forums, panels, and boards as an expert.  Some of the most rewarding days are the leadership development workshops we host for Deputy and/or Rising CISOs.  All of our programs are focused on helping CISOs with their programs, solutions, brand, communication, and leadership strategies. Knowing the sacrifices and hard work I put in throughout my career is helping someone today makes my current role super rewarding. Every day is different and exciting for me, but helping people gives me the greatest joy, so when someone tells me I’ve helped them in some way, that’s a successful day for me.

What do you like most about being a part of the cybersecurity community?

It took me quite some time to find the role I have today. I was looking for a place where I could take my experiences and share strategies beyond one organization. I believe at Cisco I can do something where I can truly make a difference in an industry that is much bigger than all of us.  I can make a difference beyond our cybersecurity community, because security is everyone’s responsibility and if that is not educated, it can become problematic.

We must remind ourselves that cybersecurity also applies to children, adults, and our elders. The implementation or lack thereof security solutions can be the reason a business succeeds, or in more cases than not, fails. It is relevant across the globe and misunderstood by most. My current position affords me the ability to learn the challenges that arise within such an advanced and persistent topic. I take pride in guiding and empowering others on best practices, this is my purpose.

What is one goal, personal or professional, that you set this year that you’ve achieved?

To publicly represent women in cybersecurity. It sounds so simple, but for me…it was a big leap. I had to make a conscious effort to put myself out in public formats, like the podcast Do We Belong Here?, a podcast dedicated to proving that everyone belongs in cybersecurity.  I cohost with Tashya Denose, the Cyber Whisperer, and the show is produced by Sarina Gandy of Cyber Florida, The Florida Center for Cybersecurity. The point is, the role I’m in today puts me front and center most days…way outside my comfort zone.

I believe that young women need to see themselves to believe they can have a career in cybersecurity, and a family as well…whatever they want. My daily intent is to show and welcome inclusivity and diversity in cybersecurity. It is my personal mission to share my journey in hopes it helps women looking to start or join a career in security. I understand the need to reach young girls, and I’m hopeful for more opportunities to reach broader audiences in 2023.

What was your favorite thing about Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022?

When I attended my first NCA Summit in NYC during Cybersecurity Awareness month, I saw first-hand how organizations like CISA, NCA, and Cisco come together, making education simple and accessible. I felt the magnitude of combined efforts being made to keep people safe in the digital world and I knew I was in the right place at the right time.

How do you think the campaign can grow next year?

The more we learn the more we can share. I think the campaign can grow with expanded outreach. We must showcase the impact but most importantly how it relates to all types of people and businesses.