CyberWire Daily – "Roya Gordon: Becoming a trailblazer" [Research] [Career Notes]

Date: March 22, 2026
Host: N2K Networks
Guest: Roya Gordon, Security Research Evangelist

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Roya Gordon, a security research evangelist, tracing her unconventional career journey from aspiring lawyer to cybersecurity expert. Gordon shares personal struggles, career pivots, and her mission to pave the way for other women and people of color in the cybersecurity industry. The discussion offers both inspiration and practical advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, especially those from nontraditional backgrounds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Roya’s Early Aspirations and Unexpected Detour (00:43–02:30)

• Initial Ambitions:
  • Roya intended to become a lawyer, participating in pre-law magnet programs during middle and high school.
  • Quote: “My mom used to always say I just talk too much, I should be a lawyer and I actually liked the idea.” (00:43)
• Joining the Navy and Discovering Intelligence Work:
  • Joined the Navy through ROTC, working in intelligence before the field of cybersecurity existed in that branch.
  • Exposure to cryptology and threat intelligence, focusing on military safety and anti-terrorism efforts.

From National Security to Cybersecurity (02:30–05:25)

• Education and Goals:
  • After leaving the Navy, studied international relations in college, with plans to join agencies like the FBI, CIA, or NSA.
  • Introduction to technology came during graduate studies, specifically through studying cyber warfare.
  • “I was NSA bound...I should probably start learning about cyber stuff because up until that point I just had no clue.” (03:56)
• NSA Job Offer – and Sudden Setback:
  • Received a conditional job offer from the NSA, only for it to be rescinded right before her start date.
  • Quote: “About a month...before my start date, my recruiter at the NSA calls me and says, I don’t know what’s going on, Roya, but the NSA is rescinding your job offer.” (04:58)

Adapting After a Major Career Setback (05:25–07:08)

• Struggling and Reassessing:
  • Describes a low period after losing the NSA opportunity, refusing other job offers that didn’t fit her ambitions.
  • “Like the first three weeks I don’t think I did anything but like cry.” (06:19)
  • Moved back in with her parents, unsure of next steps.
• Finding Cybersecurity Opportunities in the Private Sector:
  • Recognized high private sector demand for intelligence backgrounds.
  • Applied for roles she wasn’t technically qualified for, including as a cybersecurity researcher at Idaho National Laboratory.
  • Positive recruiter experience: “She could have just tossed my resume to the side, but...she passed me on to someone else.” (06:57)
  • Hired for her analytical and writing skills, with technical knowledge to be taught on the job.

Growth Across Different Organizations (07:08–08:18)

• From Medium to Large to Small Companies:
  • Learned OTICS (Operational Technology/Industrial Control Systems) cybersecurity at Idaho National Laboratory.
  • Transitioned to Accenture, a large global company, then to Nozomi Networks, a smaller tech firm.
  • Highlights the advantages of working in smaller organizations—opportunities to interact broadly and see the “big vision.”
  • Quote: “At a big company, you know, everyone kind of gets pigeonholed into doing one thing... because the company is so small, I see myself interacting with marketing and pr...with the security research team...I get to see the big vision.” (07:58)

Empowering Others to Enter Cybersecurity (08:18–09:25)

• Advice During the Pandemic:
  • Encouraged friends from different fields to adapt their skills for cybersecurity roles.
  • Emphasized leveraging existing experience—especially for those from fields like finance.
  • “Cyber needs all types of skills. It’s not a one size fits all type of thing.” (09:09)
  • Recommends aligning certifications and courses with actual job market demands.

Navigating Diversity in Cybersecurity (09:25–10:00)

• Being a Woman and Person of Color in Cyber:
  • Expresses that gender bias remains a more frequent challenge than racial bias in her experience.
  • “They assume that a woman, she’s not technical, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about...I still have people trying to explain to me what industrial control systems are.” (09:33)

On Legacy and Representation (10:00–10:28)

• Aiming to Inspire:
  • Wants to be remembered as a representative and example for women and people of color in cybersecurity.
  • Volunteered with mentoring programs like Girls Who Code; prioritizes public speaking and youth engagement.
  • Quote: “I just want to be an example that people can look at to say she did it. So I know I can do it too. If not anything else, I think that would make me happy.” (10:24)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Unexpected Setbacks:

  • “About a month...before my start date, my recruiter at the NSA calls me and says, I don’t know what’s going on, Roya, but the NSA is rescinding your job offer.” (04:58)

• On the Value of Diverse Skills:

  • “Cyber needs all types of skills. It’s not a one size fits all type of thing.” (09:09)

• On Bias and Assumptions:

  • “They assume that a woman, she’s not technical, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” (09:33)

• On Inspiring the Next Generation:

  • “I just want to be an example that people can look at to say she did it. So I know I can do it too.” (10:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:43: Roya’s early dream to become a lawyer, joining the Navy, and first exposure to intelligence work
• 02:30: Decision to pursue national security and tech; joining the NSA’s cyber program
• 04:58: NSA rescinds job offer, turning point in Roya’s career
• 05:25: Period of discouragement and self-reflection on turning down job offers
• 06:57: Positive experience with Idaho National Laboratory recruiter
• 07:58: Perspective on working in organizations of varying sizes
• 08:18: Advice for others pivoting into cybersecurity
• 09:09: Importance of transferable skills
• 09:33: Facing gender bias as a woman in cyber
• 10:24: On legacy and role-modeling for underrepresented groups

Tone and Takeaways

The episode is candid, motivational, and practical. Roya’s storytelling is open and vulnerable, with a focus on resilience, adaptability, and empowerment. Her journey underscores the importance of diverse skills and backgrounds in cybersecurity—and the need to challenge biases in technical fields. The message is clear: the path to cybersecurity is not linear, and representation matters.