Cisco : Why I Joined and Rejoined Cisco

As a boomerang employee, who returned to Cisco five years ago after a four-year hiatus, I had an eye-opening experience coming into a new-to-me area of business-Cisco Cloud Security (an OpenDNS Acquisition). From my vantage point, the technology world had completely evolved-including the hardware and software, terminology, product development, the concept of quality, go-to-market strategy, and even the perception of Cisco. It was a far cry from my first stint when everything was on-premises and Cisco's focus was network, switching and routers.

As I returned to Cisco, security was maturing as a segment, dedicated to what was-and quickly evolved into-developing security solutions for the rampant presence of ransomware and nation-state attacks. As I onboarded, all things security became seemingly omni-present-and fascinating. Perhaps it was the mere exposure effect that ripened my interest, but I thought the security industry seemed as nascent then as it is burgeoning today.

Even then, the security industry was booming. Cybersecurity companies and start-ups emerged, offering various solutions to address the epidemic of highly visible and disruptive attacks. Within the walls of Cisco Cloud Security, powerful intelligence and innovations were transforming this rapidly advancing world. My eyes were wide open. And my philosophy was-as it is to this day-to absorb and support as much as possible.

Working within Cisco Cloud Security-which evolved into what is now Cloud and Network Security (CNS) and part of Cisco's growth engine, Security Business Group (SBG)-meant being in the belly of the beast. This was where it was all happening!

The team was hyper-focused on helping customers who were at the mercy of hackers' latest and not-so-greatest exploits. Bad actors increasingly found clever ways to compromise organizations' data and paralyze their computer systems. And the team of intensely passionate computer enthusiasts and engineers were concertedly fixated on supporting customers' efforts to stay ahead of and quickly remediate threats.

In my mind, I was at the right place at the right time - and I was ready to make a difference!

Certainly, the ever-advancing savviness of cybercriminals has always been the central concern across the industry. And it was clear that the team's passion came from a personal place. Everyone had a real-life story about the Internet, an understanding of what could be, and a level of anxiety. For me, it was my elderly aunt getting a robocall to steal her identity and my then teenage daughter who stumbled on inappropriate content and people.

Soon after becoming part of Cisco Cloud Security, I discovered a couple key truths. First, I became keenly aware of the magnitude, scale, and devastating financial ramifications that our customers face and fear, including ransomware and nation-state cyberattacks. Second, there is a sense of pride and purpose knowing that you can make the world a better place-just by going to work.

And that personal cause is hugely gratifying.

I started small in Cisco Cloud Security, with a modest team supporting a limited operational charter for one of its strategic areas. Over the course of five years, the team was trusted with more responsibilities, providing increasing levels of support and execution and, eventually, overseeing operations for the much larger Cloud and Network Security organization. Even as I write this, it seems like a lot. And it is.

Yet, we embraced this ever-expanding list of responsibilities, which evolved in phases and commensurate with the growing needs of the business. As we rally and connect on all the ins and outs of a problem, I know the team has a sense of empathy and identifies the importance of the cause. And as I watch them collaborate with a high level of energy, I appreciate their shared motivation. The personal growth of many current team leaders could not have been possible without having a can-do attitude, a figure-it-out mindset, and the quiet confidence in knowing that the work delivers value to others.

When people ask about my journey and for career advice, I tell them there is no quick win. Maintain a "you bet I can" mindset, with the confidence that you can figure out how to do something new. Identify gaps and needs that you can help fill, start small and demonstrate how it benefits the organization. Sometimes what started as a gut feeling will provide incredible value and could even be leveraged by the much larger organization. When you fail-and it will happen-fail quickly, move-on and learn from it. Keep focusing on success and providing value!

Another key driver to professional growth is the ability to-simply put-have a good relationship with others. As immigrants from Uzbekistan who came to the United States thirty years ago, my parents and I always talked about accepting others and embracing differences as a point of intrigue to explore and celebrate. As a natural "outsider," I have an innate curiosity about everything and everyone.

So, when I became part of Cisco's Cloud Security, I was pleased to see that the industry draws a diverse set of people from different fields and industries. Fast forward five years, and Cisco's Cloud and Network Security continues its efforts to attract and retain the best talent and with diverse backgrounds. And with the addition of Shaila Shankar-who recently joined Cisco to lead CNS and now SBG-she is proving to be a champion of diversity, amplifying through initiatives with an even higher level of rigor.

My hope is that the journey I'm experiencing with Cisco empowers people to understand their own power to make a positive impact in their own life, for others, and in their careers-especially with Cisco's Cloud and Network Security (CNS).

Ready to join Cisco Security? Check out our careers now!

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