Guest:
Cecile Mengue
Cybersecurity Professional & Hacker at IBM X-Force Red
LinkedIn
Host:
Melissa Aarskaug
Executive Connect | Website
YouTube: @ExecutiveConnect
Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Cecile Mengue, a cybersecurity professional and hacker at IBM X-Force Red. Cecile shares her powerful personal story of being targeted by a cyber-attack—and how that experience launched her into a career on the front lines of digital defense. What started as a crisis turned into a mission. Cecile discusses the road from criminal justice to cybersecurity, the struggle with imposter syndrome, and the determination it took to become an ethical hacker. The episode is packed with practical insights on entering the cybersecurity field, protecting personal data, and why it's time we all start taking digital security seriously.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome and introduction
02:10 – Cecile’s turning point: From victim to hacker
05:45 – Transitioning from criminal justice to cybersecurity
09:30 – Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding mentorship
13:00 – Tips for switching careers into cybersecurity
17:40 – Understanding the real value of personal data
21:00 – Final thoughts and actionable takeaways
Connect With Us:
Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnect
Social:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/
Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-executive-connect/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaug
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