Women in Information Security: Chrissy Morgan

Last time, I had the opportunity to talk with software tester Claire Reckless. Testing an application’s security and functionality is a vital cybersecurity role that people often don’t think about.

This time, I had the honor of speaking with Chrissy Morgan. Chrissy is a protector of the protectors by day and a crazy scientist by night!

Kim Crawley: Hi, Chrissy. Please tell me about what you do.

Chrissy Morgan: I work within internal and operational security for a close protection firm. In my spare time, like tonight, I am working towards being a security researcher.

KC: How did you get into cybersecurity in the first place?

CM: I’ve always enjoyed fixing things and figuring stuff out since I was a kid. I’ve been playing around with tech since the early 90s. I taught myself to code and was a bit of a gamer. Then when I left school, I undertook a modern apprenticeship with a large pharmaceutical firm. This then led to learning different skill sets, such as help desk duties, database administration, website development and networking.

KC: What were some of your first programming languages?

CM: I worked in and around many security-driven environments after that, so I guess it left its mark. Whilst undertaking my training as a close protection officer, I realized there was a niche for technical operations, so whilst working as CP, in my downtime whilst off ops I would be undertaking short taskings for companies within the security sector within a technical remit, such as OSINT. As I could see a need for further development within the industry I decided to go and get qualified in information security. This was a need for security both on and offline within the sector. I now have a masters in advanced security and digital forensics after (Read more...)