Olivia Rose’s Post

The recent message from the CEO of Palo Alto Networks, missed a crucial opportunity to address the impact on women specifically. It is unacceptable to dismiss this vital issue and continue to ignore the voices calling for recognition and accountability. We demand a clear and specific response that acknowledges the harm caused and outlines concrete steps towards rectifying the situation. It's time to prioritize inclusivity, respect, and meaningful action for all individuals, including women, within the organization. #Accountability #Inclusivity #EmpowerWomen #PaloAltoNetworks #CEOApology

The recent incident at Palo Alto Networks and CyberRisk Collaborative highlights the ongoing need for robust DEI initiatives in businesses. Despite claims of inclusive cultures, this event demonstrates how unchecked biases and a disregard for underrepresented voices can escalate into a public scandal. How could such an overtly problematic concept evolve from an individual's idea into a company-wide campaign? The answer likely lies in a culture that either overlooked, silenced, or actively discouraged dissent. This incident underlines the critical importance of fostering environments where diverse perspectives are valued, and where employees feel empowered to challenge harmful ideas without fear of reprisal. It remains to be seen whether the companies has truly learned from this experience, or if this is merely a superficial response to public pressure. A genuine commitment to change requires a thorough examination of company culture, policies, and leadership at all levels. Ultimately, the success of any DEI initiative hinges on whether those involved in the decision-making process have undergone a genuine shift in perspective. But, while the event is undoubtedly damaging, it has also served as a catalyst for increased awareness and activism around DEI. The incident has brought many allies together and shone a spotlight on the urgent need for systemic change within businesses. #Equity #equality #diversity #DEI #dobetter #workplaceculture

Its worth unpacking what exactly is wrong here. Its not simply rude or insulting. It is part of a system of thinking, and it was utilized by these organizations with a purpose. Dehumanization: any process or practice that is thought to reduce human beings to the level of mechanisms or nonhuman animals, especially by denying them autonomy, individuality, and a sense of dignity. Objectification: In social philosophy, objectification is the act of treating a person as an object or a thing. It is part of dehumanization, the act of disavowing the humanity of others. Objectification involves two people - the objectified, and the objectifier. Let's train our gaze back on the objectifiers. What might have been the message here, within the industry of cyber security, within the activity of sales or influencing? The message seems to be one of perceived masculine strength, of dominance, of power. The power to, even in this day and age, build a world where women are peripheral. I find this to be a vulnerability in cybersecurity, and Big Tech at large. If your ideas are free of sound thinking, I don't want you securing ANYTHING for me. You've told me that I'm not in the club, so you don't get my $, my trust, or my contract.

It is 2024 and we're still having to argue why women at a conference for the sole purpose of "aesthetic purposes" is not a good look for your company. Paloalto have in fact, gone one step further and removed their heads entirely. I suppose it is far more difficult to objectify a human when you can see their eyes. There was a commenter on one of the threads that argued that they are not "booth babes" because they interacted with the visitors to the booth. They are in evening dresses and started the event with their heads in lampshades, if they were engineers from Paloalto (the only way that we can say they are not hired for aesthetic purposes, i.e. 'booth babes'), then getting them to wear matching evening dresses and lampshades would be an interesting call to HR. So, let's do better companies... see the OP for a raft of responses, all of which minimise the event and seek to side-step the actual issues. Also, keep an eye out on the various threads and the many many people commenting on the side of Paloalto, I would say that those companies are also not safe for people of marginalised genders.

This act is not just tone-deaf but completely contrary to the progress we need in promoting diversity, respect, and inclusivity within our industry. Such gimmicks reduce women to mere props and undermine the serious work being done to break down stereotypes in tech and cybersecurity. It’s crucial that we call out these actions and demand better representation and respect for all professionals in the field. We must do better, and it starts with rejecting outdated and offensive marketing tactics like this.

Appreciate Ashmi Chokshi for spotlighting this cautionary tale for marketing leaders - and for Olivia Rose, Deidre Diamond, Erika E. and others in the #cybersecurity community for elevating this absolute fail. Of course, ANY organization should aim for a brand that signals (and brings to life!) - every person deserves respect for their inherent humanity - BIPOC/ LGBTQIA inclusive - and everyone can be valued and welcomed as leaders, employees, and consumers. But the context here of a SECURITY company failing in this way is especially appalling because all the ways sexism and misogyny are alive and well correlate so closely to so many elements of the digital world, including but in no way limited to the underrepresentation of women in cyber and cyber leadership. Stating the obvious: security companies are charged with PROTECTING not just some of us - but ALL OF US. #dobetter

Hello LinkedIn network! 👋 Today, I want to emphasize the crucial importance of device health and security posturing in our rapidly evolving digital landscape. With the rise of remote work and the increasing number of devices connecting to our networks, ensuring robust security measures has become paramount. Device health and security posturing play a pivotal role in safeguarding our networks against cyber threats. Duo provides organizations with a comprehensive approach to verifying and securing devices before granting access to critical resources. 🛡️ Here are three key ways Duo solves this for our valued customers: 1️⃣ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Duo goes beyond traditional password-based security by integrating a strong MFA solution. This means that even if an attacker manages to obtain a password, they won't gain access without the additional authentication factor, such as a push notification, SMS code, or biometric verification. With Duo, we can ensure that only trusted devices and authorized users are granted access, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access. 2️⃣ Endpoint Visibility and Compliance: Duo provides unparalleled visibility into the security posture of devices attempting to access our networks. By assessing the health of endpoints, it helps us identify potential vulnerabilities, outdated software, or compromised devices. With this insight, we can enforce compliance policies and take proactive measures to mitigate risks, preventing potential breaches and data loss. 3️⃣ Secure Remote Access: As the workforce becomes increasingly mobile, Duo offers a seamless and secure remote access solution. With Duo's VPNless solution, users can connect securely to corporate resources from anywhere, without compromising on security. The solution ensures that devices are healthy, authenticated, and meet security requirements before granting access, protecting our sensitive data, and maintaining a secure remote work environment. In today's ever-evolving threat landscape, organizations must prioritize device health and security posturing. With Duo, we can confidently protect our networks, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain the highest level of security. 💡 If you haven't explored Duo by Cisco yet, I encourage you to check it out and experience the peace of mind it brings to device security. Let's stay vigilant and empower our organizations with the tools they need to defend against cyber threats! 🚀 https://duo.com/docs/ #DeviceSecurity #Cybersecurity #DuoByCisco #SecureAccess #NetworkProtection #DigitalSecurity

Identity Week 2023: What You Need to Know #cybersecurity #securityshout #cybersmart #securitynews

Identity Week 2023: What You Need to Know #cybersecurity #securityshout #cybersmart #securitynews

If we were seated a table with others and active conversations are happening but we are ignored OR If we were passed up for a promotion or a raise because we were likely going to be a parent soon and might leave the company anyway .. These were some of the unsettling realizations for me while attending Day of Shecurity - one of the few men invited to this amazing virtual event - thanks Deidre and Kelly! There were some amazing conversations around data privacy, GRC, Gen AI, Deepfakes ... but the one that really stuck were the talks around bias and prejudices that are still rampant in our tech workplaces 🙄! And as a minority in this predominantly all women conference, it was eye opening for me. But more than that, it is the realization that we men MUST do more. To really support, challenge and break down these humiliating practices! I have hosted and have great respect for organizations like Secure Diversity, Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), SheTO and many others. I promised to do more to shine a light on these leaders. And actively add more questions that highlights what each of us is doing or serve as a wake up moment for us so we can all learn and act! #diversityandinclusion #womenincybersecurity #biases