Today my favourite analyst and security podcaster Javvad Malik put out the following tweet:
While I am not a "security peep", in that my role does not fall within the jobs that typically report to a CSO/CISO, I work in the security space. I also enjoy the InfoSec community and aim to contribute to it as best that I can.
When I read Javvad's tweet, I saw a bunch of quick responses from various people, while I sat back and really thought about it. Keeping in mind the InfoSec space is global and recognizing that I only know a few people, I thought about this off and on for a couple of hours. I also thought about what InfoSec meant to me and, of the people I do know, who I would love to work with.
The top of my list will always be Andrew Hay. I know many people will assume it is because he is my husband - please do not assume. Not only do I respect Andrew as a person, I admire his work ethic and have worked with him in the past; in fact we met at work.
In addition to Andrew, the following people came to mind:
- Dave Shackleford: If you have the pleasure of meeting Dave or seeing him present, you will understand why he is on this list. He is a wealth of knowledge, engaged in the community, full of energy, and honest. Dave loves to share what he knows and enjoys a good debate.
- Wendy Nather: This woman is simply fantastic. For various reasons, she receives a lot of respect from everyone in InfoSec. Wendy, while very knowledgeable, is also a natural presenter and very respectful to everyone around her.
- Brian Honan: In addition to being Irish, a beer connoisseur, and a rugby fan, Brian is very active in the InfoSec space. He is extremely knowledgeable in various aspects of InfoSec and is simply a great guy, who is also very humble.
- Matt Johansen: Over the past few years, Matt has really stood out to me in the InfoSec space. I am fairly certain he is the youngest person on my list, but don't let his age fool you. He has moved his way up at WhiteHat Security, presents at conferences, and contributes to the LiquidMatrix podcast.
- Javvad Malik: Javvad is another great guy. Of all the people in InfoSec, I think Javvad is the friendliest. He's another smart guy that loves to engage in the community and contributes in presentations and through his own podcast.
- Alison Gianotto: Alison is a fantastic blend of smarts and humour. I started following Alison on twitter because of an interaction she had with someone else. She drew me in with her humour and sarcasm and I haven't looked back. Over the past few months, I have learned more about her and, while I have yet to meet Alison, she has earned my respect and admiration.
- Jennifer Leggio: Jennifer is like me - she works in the security space - but wouldn't be considered a "security peep". That being said, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who has not at least heard of her. Jennifer is a work horse and probably the most non-security-peep involved in the security space. She has a huge following simply because she brought the InfoSec space together through the Security Bloggers Meetup and everyone respects her.
The main reason this group comes to the top of my list is because I believe they contribute to the InfoSec space positively. Not only are they active in InfoSec, they are a great group to interact with. While many people go on and off my Twitter following list, this group will always remain on it.
Now, if only I could think of a business for us all to work together.
