In the latest episode of the Cybersecurity Growth webcast, Garrett and Shawn dove deep into a topic that can significantly enhance your career in cybersecurity: industry communities. Whether you’re an experienced security leader or trying to break into infosec, the right network can provide mentorship, job opportunities, and critical insights into emerging threats.
Are You Tapping into the Right Cybersecurity Communities?
We kicked off our discussion by asking a simple but crucial question: What industry-related communities are you a part of? If you’re not actively engaging in Signal, Discord, or Slack groups with peers in your job role, you could be missing out on valuable shared intelligence. Cybersecurity is a team sport, and some of the best career advice, technical insights, and breaking threat intelligence happen in these informal networks.
Industry Meetups: Are You Showing Up?
We also explored the value of in-person meetups. Platforms like Meetup.com are full of cybersecurity gatherings, from technical deep dives to networking events. If you’re not attending local BSides, ISSA, OWASP, DC Groups, or other infosec events, why not? The industry thrives on connections and knowledge-sharing, and these events provide direct access to hiring managers, thought leaders, and fellow practitioners.
Breaking Into Cybersecurity: It’s a Numbers Game
For those trying to break into cybersecurity, we tackled common roadblocks and the best ways to navigate them:
✔ Join industry organizations like ISSA, OWASP, or BSides to expand your professional circle.
✔ Prepare for tech screens—they’re tough, but practice and repetition make the difference.
✔ Recruiters can be an asset—but only if you know how to work with them effectively.
✔ Leverage your network—many opportunities never make it to job boards.
Final Thoughts: Get in the Game
The cybersecurity industry moves fast, and if you’re not plugged into a community, you’re at a disadvantage. Whether you’re looking for career growth, mentorship, or just a group of like-minded professionals to exchange ideas with, there’s a place for you in this industry.
So, what communities are you a part of? If you’re not in one yet, what’s stopping you? Drop a comment or connect with us to continue the conversation!
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