Hack Your Network: Career Connections for Cyber Pros

Heather Morris, a recruiting director in the government contracting talent space, opens by arguing that networking is a core career skill for security people. The field changes quickly, and many roles are filled through referrals and word of mouth rather than open applications. Good contacts keep you informed about job openings and industry trends, bring you collaborators, and give you access to mentors and shared knowledge.

The middle of the talk is practical. Before an event, decide what you want from it, whether that is learning, meeting peers or finding work, and prepare a short introduction covering who you are and what you are looking for. Research the speakers and attendees, then plan which sessions, booths and social gatherings to visit. During the event, approach conversations by asking how you can help or what you can learn, not what you can get. Afterwards, send personalized LinkedIn requests that mention something specific from the conversation, and keep up with people by engaging with their posts. Online, keep your profile current, comment thoughtfully, join relevant groups, follow hashtags, and build a personal brand through writing or public code. Morris also warns against pitching yourself too early, since it tends to come across as self-serving.

The talk closes with mentorship and long-term maintenance. A mentor can be someone you admire and follow, met at an event or on a stage, and an informal arrangement such as shadowing or feedback is often enough. Mentors also benefit from newer people who bring current skills. Relationships need regular check-ins, in-person time where possible, and help offered in return. Morris stresses authenticity, quality over quantity, and patience, since returns on networking rarely arrive quickly.