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CyberWire Daily

Ann Johnson: Trying to make the world safer. [Business Development] [Career Notes]

CyberWire Daily

N2K Networks, Inc.

Tech News, Daily News, News, Technology

4.81.1K Ratings

🗓️ 8 September 2024

⏱️ 7 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Enjoy this special encore episode where we are joined by, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of Cybersecurity Business Development Ann Johnson brings us on her career journey from aspiring lawyer to cybersecurity executive. After pivoting from studying law, Ann started working with computers and found she had a deep technical aptitude for technology and started earning certifications landing in cybersecurity because she found an interest in PKI. At Microsoft, Ann says she solves some of the hardest problems every day. She recommends getting a mentor and finding your area of expertise. She leaves us with three dimensions she hopes to be her legacy: 1. diversity in more than just gender, 2. bringing a human aspect to the industry, and 3. being empathetic to the user experience. We thank Ann for sharing her story with us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

You're listening to the Cyberwire Network, powered by N2K.

0:09.7

AI adoption is exploding, and security teams are under pressure to keep up.

0:16.9

That's why the industry is coming together at the Datasec AI conference,

0:21.4

the premier event for cybersecurity data and AI leaders, hosted by data security leader,

0:27.4

Saira.

0:28.5

Built for the industry, by the industry, this two-day conference is where real-world insights and bold solutions take center stage.

0:36.6

Datasek AI 25 is happening November 12th and 13th in Dallas.

0:41.8

There's no cost to attend.

0:43.4

Just bring your perspective and join the conversation.

0:46.7

Register now at Datasek AI 2025.com backslash cyberwire.

0:52.7

Thank you. dot com backslash cyberwire.

1:02.8

Hi, I'm Ann Johnson.

1:07.7

I'm the corporate vice president of cybersecurity business development at Microsoft.

1:16.5

My family would tell you from the time I was very young, I was going to be a lawyer.

1:28.8

And I went to undergraduate, and I ended up with a degree, a dual major in communication and political science with a minor in history, all with the intent of going to law school.

1:34.2

I wanted to understand, you know, how the world worked, but I also wanted to make sure I could speak effectively. And somewhere over that summer, I just decided I didn't want to be a lawyer,

1:40.4

which was like a shock to everyone. Honestly, I said, you know what? I can go work.

1:46.9

The magical, I can go work, and then I'll go back to school.

1:54.3

So I moved to Los Angeles because I thought there would be greater career opportunity there,

1:56.8

and I really didn't have any idea what I was going to do.

2:19.3

So I ended up in technology fairly accidentally, and I've never left, by the way. I walked into a, at the time, there were computer stores in, like, retail malls, and they were hiring a floor salesperson. And I said, well, I know I can talk to people. And I know something about personal computers, because I've used one. So I'm sure I can do this job.

2:21.4

And literally that is how the career started.

...

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