Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson The Human Firewall: People-First Cybersecurity
Jun 17, 2025
Aleise McGowan, Chief Information Security Officer of BlackGirlsHack and a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience, shares her transformative journey in cybersecurity. She highlights how an early career hack shifted her focus from development to defense. McGowan discusses the importance of resilience and human-centered leadership, emphasizing that inclusivity in cybersecurity isn't just ethical—it's strategic. She also sheds light on empowering underrepresented talent, advocating for a diverse workforce that can effectively tackle future threats.
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Career-Defining Hack Shift
- Elise McGowan's first web application was hacked shortly after launch, sparking her career shift to cybersecurity.
- This early setback turned into her mission to build secure and resilient systems.
Next Gen Cybersecurity Focus
- Next generation cybersecurity blends advanced tech like AI with human diversity and intuition.
- Building diverse teams and a strong security culture is as critical as technology itself.
Evolving the SOC Role
- Build a SOC that balances automation with strategic human oversight to anticipate future threats.
- Empower SOC with governance, cross-functional collaboration, and a culture of experimentation.