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Malia, Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company: Advize Career Interview
Malia's career journey, from an International Relations degree to Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering at a leading insurtech startup, is an inspiring example of career pivoting and impactful leadership.
A side hustle repairing laptops during a Navy stint unexpectedly launched Malia into the cybersecurity field, leading to roles at major companies like Hulu and Disney.
Now, Malia builds cybersecurity programs from the ground up, facing daily challenges and leveraging strong communication skills to manage teams and secure budgets.
The constant evolution of the industry, coupled with a collaborative culture, fuels Malia's passion, emphasizing continuous learning and networking as key to success.
A non-traditional background and military experience shaped Malia's career, highlighting the importance of mentorship and meaningful connections in navigating a male-dominated field.
This interview offers invaluable insights into the dynamic world of cybersecurity, the importance of adaptability, and the power of building a fulfilling career path regardless of initial academic focus.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Malia Mason
Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering
Commercial Insurance Company
University of Pittsburgh class of 2011
EMBA UCLA class of 2023
International Relations & Affairs
Insurance
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Disabled, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at a Commercial Insurance Company
Malia's career path is a fascinating journey, beginning with an undergraduate degree in International Relations and a pivot to the Navy after the recession, where a side hustle repairing laptops led to a cybersecurity career. This led to roles at prominent companies such as Hulu and Disney, and ultimately, Malia's current position as Head of Cybersecurity for a cybersecurity insurance startup, building "all of our Security Programs from the ground up".
Main Responsibilities Of A Head Of Cybersecurity And Engineering At Commercial Insurance Company
Malia, Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering at a "insure tech" startup, is building the company's entire cybersecurity program from the ground up, encompassing "Cloud Security, application security, incident response," and more, all while working with limited resources and balancing business needs—a creative challenge informed by prior experience ensuring 24/7 streaming availability at companies like Hulu and Disney.
A Day in the Life of a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company
Malia's role as Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering involves a dynamic mix of proactive threat anticipation, driven by daily monitoring of "cybersecurity and geopolitical news," and reactive incident response, exemplified by the need to "be on call" due to the nature of cybersecurity threats. The constant interruptions and need for strong project management skills highlight the demanding yet exciting aspects of this career.
Most Important Skills for a Cybersecurity Head at Commercial Insurance Company
Malia, Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, emphasizes that strong communication and interpersonal skills are surprisingly more crucial than technical skills for success in her field, stating the importance of convincing people "that it's in their best interest" to cooperate with security measures. This understanding of human psychology and the ability to prioritize tasks amidst constant challenges, including adapting to rapidly evolving technology like ChatGPT, are invaluable assets.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Head Of Cybersecurity And Engineering At Commercial Insurance Company
Malia, Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, thrives on the "full autonomy" her current role provides, allowing her to build a security program from the ground up, leaving a lasting legacy—"my legacy will remain here at the company"—unlike previous roles requiring rebuilding existing systems. This creative freedom, coupled with the "crazy and chaotic" nature of the work, allows for significant impact and continuous learning, a pattern evident throughout Malia's career at companies like Hulu and Disney.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at a Commercial Insurance Company
Malia's biggest challenge as Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering is securing adequate budget and resources, a common struggle in the underfunded cybersecurity field; this challenge motivates Malia's pursuit of an Executive MBA to better communicate the financial and reputational risks of insufficient cybersecurity investment to non-technical leaders, framing it as "money saving efforts" rather than solely technical concerns.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Cybersecurity Industry as a Head of Cybersecurity
Malia, Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, thrives on the ever-changing nature of the industry, describing it as a "never-ending game of whack-a-mole" due to the constantly evolving threat landscape and technology. This dynamic environment is complemented by a highly collaborative culture where professionals readily share information, mentorship, and best practices, fostering a supportive network crucial for navigating the complexities of the field.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Cybersecurity Industry, According to a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company
Malia, a Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering with over 10 years of experience, identifies passion, continuous learning ("you can't stagnate"), and a willingness to admit when one doesn't know something as crucial for success in the cybersecurity industry; the ability to embrace challenges, coupled with a "dark sense of humor," are key traits that separate those who thrive from those who burn out.
What a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Insurance Industry
Malia, a Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, found the transition from military cybersecurity to the civilian sector surprisingly complex, noting the need to learn "how to get around language" to navigate varied company policies and regulations. The lack of formal training on regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA highlighted the significant learning curve and the importance of understanding policy implications for compliance and potential financial penalties.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals
Malia, a Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, explains that while entry-level cybersecurity roles exist, a "basic level knowledge of computers" and understanding of network infrastructure is crucial; a Security Operations Center (SOC) analyst role, involving incident response and threat analysis, is a common entry point, with a year of experience often opening doors to other areas like GRC (governance, risk, and compliance), application security, or cloud security.
Significant Career Lesson from a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company
Malia, Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, credits consistent networking as a pivotal career lesson, emphasizing the importance of building "meaningful connections" rather than transactional ones. A personal anecdote illustrates this, describing how a LinkedIn connection unexpectedly led to a job at Hulu, highlighting the power of networking to bypass traditional job applications and leverage "that trusted person" referral.
College Experiences That Helped a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company Succeed
Malia, a Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, emphasizes the importance of networking and mentorship during undergraduate studies, advising students to "talk to industry professionals" and "find people that look like you" to gain insights and avoid career paths that aren't fulfilling. Their own journey, transitioning from an international relations degree to a successful cybersecurity career, illustrates that a non-traditional background is not a barrier, highlighting that "anybody can learn this stuff on the job".
How Identity Has Influenced a Head of Cybersecurity and Engineering at Commercial Insurance Company in Their Career
Malia, a Head of Cybersecurity & Engineering, shared how being a woman and veteran significantly impacted their career, noting challenges like being "talked over" and "mansplained to" in a male-dominated field where women represent only 15%. However, their veteran status provided an advantage with veteran hiring managers who recognized their resilience, while a high-paying tech career brought financial stability and allowed them to empower others from similar backgrounds.
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