112: Breaking Barriers in Cybersecurity: Roya Gordon’s Transformative Journey and Expert Advice for Veterans

Today, we are thrilled to welcome Roya Gordon as our guest.  Roya is an executive industry consultant specializing in operational technology, cybersecurity, and Hexagon. She is a military veteran, an accomplished technologist, and a prolific speaker in our industry. Her creativity knows no bounds, encompassing her passion for the arts and her love of opera and symphonies. She is also an avid traveler and a super fun person to have around. Roya brings a unique and engaging perspective to our discussion today. She shares her journey from a pre-law magnet program to becoming a skilled speaker in the Navy, highlighting the value of communication skills for conveying technical information to audiences and sharing the challenges and opportunities veterans face when breaking into the cybersecurity industry. Stay tuned as Roya shares her invaluable insights and experiences, offering guidance for veterans aspiring to enter the cybersecurity field. You will not want to miss the wisdom and stories Roya shares with us today. Show highlights:Roya shares her background as an army brat.Roya discusses her six-year experience in the Navy.How Roya gradually realized she was involved in technology through her Navy intelligence workRoya talks about her studies in international relations and national security after leaving the Navy and how she pivoted to studying cyber-warfareRoya landed a job as a security researcher at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) despite lacking an IT background.Roya talks about the foundational training she received in OT cybersecurity at INL. How advanced tools often get underutilized due to a lack of trained personnel   Roya highlights the value of certifications. How non-technical roles like journalism and event planning can offer entryways into the cybersecurity space. Links and resources: (CS)²AI  Derek Harp on LinkedIn Hexagon Roya Gordon on LinkedIn