Expert Spotlights
Meet Managed Detection & Response Operations Leader, Nina Lowe
March 30, 2023
Managed Detection & Response Operations leader, Nina Lowe, joins us in the DeepSeas series called, “Meet our Deeps.” Let’s dive in to learn more about Nina’s work and career.
Q: Hi, Nina. Can you tell us a bit about your story? How did your life experiences lead you to a role as a Managed Detection & Response Operations Leader at DeepSeas?
A: Going into the STEM field and serving in Managed Detection & Response Operations Leader role was a strategic step towards my vision of my future career. I knew I wanted to help people and make a difference.
I started studying sociology and planned to go into social work. I spent some time in the field working alongside incredible social workers and realized I wasn’t cut out for it. I focused on getting a job with a good work-life balance and enough resources to build my career vision on my own terms. I knew I was good at logic and solving puzzles, so I researched STEM jobs: Enter cyber security.
I graduated with a B.S. in Computer Information Technology from Northern Kentucky University and started working at Booz Allen Hamilton as a SOC analyst.
Q: What do you do in your current role, and what attracted you to it?
A: I’m currently the operations lead for two wonderfully talented Managed Detection & Response (MDR) teams. I wanted to build management skills and was given the opportunity through this role at DeepSeas.
Q: Can you share some challenges you have faced as you built your life and career?
A: I have several neurodivergencies that went undiagnosed until age 26. While these challenges have impacted every aspect of my life, they have also forced my brain to adapt and compensate in other ways – which is now the source of my greatest strengths.
Q: Why do you think personal wellbeing may be especially important in the cyber security industry?
A: As a new SOC analyst, fresh out of school and hefty with imposter syndrome, I felt extremely insecure in my skills and merit for being there which led to stress and unhealthy habits. I’ve since learned that personal well-being is important in every industry, but even more so in cyber security due to the high stakes and potential consequences. My advice is to anyone entering the cyber security field is to be curious, ask questions and TAKE LUNCH BREAKS.
Q: Do you believe cyber security leaders should be motivated by fear or peace of mind, and why?
A: Peace of mind. Fear is reactive, while peace of mind is proactive.
We’re fortunate to have Nina as a MDR Operations Lead at DeepSeas and thank her for sharing a bit about herself and her areas of expertise. Come back to meet more of our DeepSeas cyber security experts in future issues of our “Meet Our Deeps” series.