CyberWire Daily Episode Summary: "Baan Alsinawi: Trust Ourselves and Be Courageous"

Release Date: January 19, 2025

In this enlightening episode of CyberWire Daily, host N2K Networks engages in a profound conversation with Bon Sinoui, the Managing Director at Server Sentinel, Chief Compliance Officer, and President of TeleTech LLC. Bon delves into her extensive career in cybersecurity, the evolution of her business, and the vital role of confidence and community, especially for women in tech.

1. Early Passion for Technology

Bon Sinoui begins by sharing her early fascination with computers, which ignited her career in technology. Reflecting on her teenage years, she states:

"I was a young 17-year-old who was looking at computers and thinking those are so cool and I really wanted to understand how they work... I wanted to be the one who did."
[01:45]

Her initial curiosity led her to pursue an education in Control and Systems Engineering, laying a robust foundation for her future endeavors in the tech industry.

2. Diverse Career Trajectory

Bon outlines her diverse career path, emphasizing her transition from technical roles to business management:

"I've had any career you can think of in, I would call it, quote unquote, from help desk and managing desktops and motherboards... all the way to systems engineering, network engineering, managing a variety of aspects of cybersecurity for companies and businesses."
[03:10]

This breadth of experience provided her with a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and managerial facets of cybersecurity, enabling her to lead effectively.

3. Balancing Technical Expertise with Business Acumen

Despite her strong technical background, Bon acknowledges that her current role involves more business management than hands-on technical work:

"While I started from a technical education and training as a founder of a business and running a business, the technical side is maybe 20% of what my day-to-day looks like. A lot of it is more of managing the business, managing clients, managing teams, managing my time."
[04:00]

She emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions about her team and fostering an environment where employees can grow and tackle challenging projects.

4. Building and Innovating in Compliance Services

Bon discusses the inception and growth of her business, particularly her focus on regulatory compliance:

"I veered into more of a regulatory compliance focus for my business only because I realized that is a business opportunity and it needs... there's a lot that we could do in that space from just pure supply and demand."
[05:15]

She highlights the early adoption of managed services in 2008, a move that positioned her company at the forefront of the evolving cloud and SaaS landscape.

5. Championing Women in Tech

A significant portion of the conversation centers on Bon's experiences as a woman in the predominantly male tech industry:

"Everything, even when I was a young kid trying to learn computers, it wasn't really necessarily the popular thing for other girls to do... I have two young girls who I like to set, you know, help them find their path through the... encouraging them, providing a community of like-minded women who can either provide role models or mentorship."
[06:30]

Bon underscores the importance of community and mentorship for women, advocating for spaces where women can seek guidance, share experiences, and build confidence.

6. Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Courage

Bon candidly shares her personal struggles with self-doubt and the journey to self-confidence:

"I think if I am successful it's because I've really made the right decisions about the team and the folks that I work with... I have certainly could have done more had I not been so unsure of myself and thinking, you know, there's no way I could do this."
[07:00]

She imparts a powerful message to her younger self and other young women in tech:

"We really need that confidence, that ability to trust ourselves and be courageous honestly."
[07:25]

Bon's reflections serve as an inspiring testament to the importance of self-belief and the courage to pursue one's ambitions despite challenges.

Conclusion

In this episode, Bon Sinoui provides a comprehensive look into her journey in the cybersecurity industry, balancing technical expertise with strategic business leadership. Her advocacy for women in tech and her honest discourse on overcoming self-doubt offer valuable insights and inspiration for listeners navigating similar paths. Bon's emphasis on trust, courage, and community underscores the personal and professional qualities essential for success in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

Note: This summary excludes sponsor messages and non-content sections as per the episode guidelines.