Kristina Laidler
Director
Microsoft Cyber Defense Operations Center
Redmond, WA USA
“Take the no’s and just keep pushing through that—because you’re worth it...because you want something better.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationKristina Laidler
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Has a calling to protect people; helping to secure data and services in the Microsoft cloud helps her do that on a large scale.
On some level, she’s always been a security and privacy advocate—whether it was defending friends from bullies or standing up for the vulnerable.
In college at Washington State University, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but knew she needed to make a living.
She says to think three to five years ahead—she started out in law enforcement, then planned and made the switch to cybersecurity.
When she started, everyone was self-taught and she was excited by the idea that you learned by doing the job.
She started out in computer analysis response and recovering evidence, and that opened a new door for her.
The biggest obstacles she faced came from within herself, wondering and worrying whether she knew enough.
Says you should feel like you’re getting as much from your job as you’re giving—when that happens, you know you’ve hit the right balance.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Bachelor
Washington State University
Washington State University
Career
Director
I am a security and privacy advocate working to protect people and their information in the cloud.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Technology
Helping People
Day to Day
I am in charge of process engineering incident management across divisions. I also deal with vendor management, relationship management, executive communications, and other responsibilities. Previously led Software Security Response Process and compliance efforts to mitigate security risks on Microsoft Corporate Network.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
You have to be an advocate for what you want and where you want to go. Think in long-term chunks. What do you want to achieve in 3-5 years? Then once you get there, do it again and keep evolving.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I'm not good enough. "
Challenges I Overcame
Work Stress
Gender Discrimination
Interviewed By
Life Hackers
Cybersecurity careers and pathways
