"Kids are social engineers." In the very beginning of my second most popular course, I made this pretty bold claim. You caught me: part of it was because I simply wanted to gag the girls. I find that teaching is always more effective when you connect seemingly unrelated
Cybersecurity Awareness Posts
Malware used to cause panic and distress! How many computers did I ruin growing up? Allegedly downloading things I shouldn’t have from now-defunct Limewire…
In the Trenches Series
Before my very own eyes, I watched a leader in the cybersecurity department spend my salary on a new security solution with a phishing simulation module. They did so unflinchingly and with the confidence only an unlimited budget could give. I ate my words as they boasted that this would
The Sec Edit Posts
Last year, I wrote about how unchecked urgency gets in the way of quality security analysis. The premise was simple: pressure isn’t the same thing as clarity, and speed without thinking doesn’t lead to better outcomes. "Anyone can react. It takes true skill and mental prowess to
Over my 12-year career, leaders have consistently told me I’d make a great one. For years, I’d wrinkle my nose and dismiss it as delusion. But eventually, I started to understand what they were seeing. My life is full of moments where I’ve led or displayed
The Sec Edit Posts
We reward speed in security...but at what cost? This post unpacks how urgency culture chips away at thoughtful analysis and what I do to fight it.
The Sec Edit Posts
I used to have a blog called Steph & Sec, back when I was just a cybersecurity enthusiast looking for an outlet to share my thoughts. At the time, it felt like the tech bros had overwhelmed my local community and I just...didn't relate. I definitely didn&
In the Trenches Series
I know, from the title alone, I'm kind of toeing a line. But I promise, I'll only share what is necessary to prove my point(s). I am under NDA, after all. Before we get into what this is, let's clear something up about
Steph and Sec Shenanigans
Over the last six years, I’ve created four cybersecurity awareness courses for LinkedIn Learning, reaching over 200,000 learners. Genuinely one of my favorite things to do. As a security professional, we don't always get a chance to see our impact in our day to day jobs.
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