[Note:  These are AI generated notes.  They can be wildly inaccurate, sometimes in hilarious ways.  I keep in the way AI generated it just to keep it interesting.  Plus, I'm lazy]

Meeting Summary for Cloud Security Office Hours Weekly

Aug 23, 2024 06:42 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) ID: 943 8269 2964

Quick recap

The team discussed the challenges and benefits of their children's schooling in Singapore, sales kickoff events, and issues with neighborly dumpster use. They also shared personal experiences and insights on the impact of extensive work-related travel on personal life, the transition from Microsoft to Orca, and the pros and cons of careers involving travel. Lastly, they discussed strategies for career development, the scale of the tech industry, and the transition of Cisco to a cybersecurity company, with a focus on networking and utilizing personal strengths.

Next steps

Shawn Nunley to consider having Kimberly (Kevin Mitnick's wife) join a future call to discuss the Kevin Mitnick story.

Chris to follow up with Friday for a one-on-one conversation about specific career goals and timeline for transitioning into a Sales Engineer role.

Alex Cohen to prioritize finding what's next in his career and consider dedicating more time to job searching.

Crystal to focus on networking and finding internal sponsors for job opportunities rather than relying solely on cold applications.

Kyle to explore learning R programming language for potential career paths in data science and machine learning.

Neil to continue being a sponsor and advocate for people seeking job opportunities within his network.

Matt to continue offering resume review and job search assistance to those in need within the group.

All participants to consider offering their time and expertise to help others in the group with job searches and career transitions.

Summary

Schooling Dilemma and Sales Kickoff Events

Chris and Shawn discussed the dilemma of their children's schooling in Singapore, debating whether to live close to the school or in a more central location. They also reminisced about their sales kickoff events, with Shawn mentioning that theirs are held mid-year, and Chris expressing his preference for end-of-year kickoffs. Chris also mentioned that he missed the fanfare and production of these events.

Dumpster Etiquette and Cloud Security

Chris and Shawn Nunley shared their frustrations about neighbors using their private dumpsters without permission. The group also discussed the weight limit of dumpsters and the etiquette around using someone else's. Chris announced that the meeting format would be an open forum, encouraging attendees to share their thoughts and experiences. The Cloud Security Office hours were initiated, with new members introducing themselves. No specific topics were raised for discussion in the meeting.

CrowdStrike Outage and Windows Development

Neil discussed the recent CrowdStrike outage and its aftermath, highlighting the risks and challenges associated with security products. He emphasized the need to balance the ability to block and contain threats with stability and availability. Neil also touched on the history of Windows development, specifically the efforts to prevent blue screens and the role of video drivers and anti-malware companies in this. He mentioned that Edrxdr vendors are pushing the limits by operating in the kernel for enhanced monitoring. Neil discussed the findings from Crowdstrike regarding a series of attacks using named pipes and invited Kyle to contribute his thoughts.

Neil's Transition and Work-Life Balance

Kyle initiated a discussion about Neil's transition from Microsoft to Orca, which Neil explained was prompted by burnout, marital issues, and dissatisfaction with management. Neil shared his journey, including his subsequent role at Twistlock. Alex and Chris shared their own experiences of extensive work-related travel and its impact on their personal lives, highlighting the importance of work-life balance. Chris's wife's previous communication about the need to slow down and enjoy the present was also mentioned.

Humorous Moments and Team Bonding

Alex Silva initiated a discussion about humorous past incidents involving Sean and Kevin, with Chris emphasizing the importance of preserving such moments. Shawn agreed to share more such stories and even considered having his wife, Kimberly, join for a future discussion. Matt also shared a similar experience, highlighting Kevin's ability to overcome challenges, but it was noted that Kevin did have some detractors.

Careers With Extensive Travel Discussion

Neil led a discussion about the pros and cons of careers that involve extensive travel, sharing his personal experiences and those of his colleagues. He emphasized the importance of considering one's personal life and preferences when choosing such a career. The team also discussed the benefits and challenges of travel in their careers, with Shawn sharing his experience in programming and networking, Chris highlighting the opportunities in sales and pre-sales roles, and Neil mentioning Microsoft's field engineering role. The impact of travel on personal relationships and the need for a passport for international travel were also discussed.

Addressing Burnout and Strategic Career Growth

Chris addressed Alex's feelings of burnout and suggested that he prioritize his own well-being and career development. Alex shared his frustrations with his current role as a cloud security engineer at an MSSP, and the group discussed the challenges of launching a new EU-based service without proper testing. Don highlighted the importance of perspective and the fact that difficult situations can be opportunities for growth. Alex confirmed he was currently interviewing for a new role, which Don advised should be approached strategically to prioritize mental health. Matt shared his negative experiences with the current job market and the pressure to provide free labor during interviews. Chris agreed with Matt's points and added his own strategy of scheduling time for self-education and holding oneself accountable to prevent analysis paralysis and ensure progress. Crystal also found the advice helpful and was encouraged to focus on finding an internal sponsor to secure an interview.

Tech Industry Transition and Networking Strategies

Jay discussed the scale of the tech industry and the ongoing transition of Cisco from a network company to a cybersecurity company. Neil emphasized the importance of being a sponsor and using connections to help others, while Matt shared his journey of transitioning into the tech industry and advised the team to actively seek referrals and to provide detailed justifications when referring candidates. Kurt highlighted the increased competition in the job market due to the rise of remote and hybrid work, noting that candidates now compete on a global scale. The discussion centered around the importance of networking and having advocates within target companies.

Career Advice and Exploring AI

Matt shared his experience of helping someone improve their job prospects and feel better about themselves. Kyle then asked for advice on how to find a career that would utilize his strengths in math and programming. Jay suggested Kyle learn R, an open-source programming language used in data science, which would allow him to clean and analyze data effectively. The team also discussed the potential of AI and machine learning, with Kyle expressing interest in these fields but concerns about the hype surrounding them.

Sales Engineer Role and Career Development

Friday, a newcomer with a sales background and a keen interest in the enterprise architect role, joined the call to learn more about the sales engineer role and how to land it. Chris, a former sales engineer himself, shared his insights on the broad scope of the role, its benefits, and the barriers to entry. He also offered to have a one-off session with Friday to discuss his specific goals and timeline. The team also shared their experiences and connections in the field, with a view to supporting Friday's career development.