Christy Kusick
“I have found value in approaching people as individuals, and treating each situation uniquely. Considering how people feel has allowed me to develop a relationship with them, and to find ways to work together to support changes we often face.”
Christy Kusick’s career began by answering phones and working at a tech help desk, where she quickly learned that understanding users’ perspectives is key to delivering the right support. Her knack for listening and problem-solving became the foundation of her career in cybersecurity, where today, she channels that same customer-first mindset into building innovative solutions, streamlining processes, and developing high-performing teams, all while reducing organizational risk. She’s driven by a passion for progress, and constantly pushes herself and her colleagues to spot new ways to help strengthen cybersecurity.
What is one skill, interest or talent of yours that makes you great at your job?
Identifying actual problems to solve. There is never a shortage of things to work on, but the questions I ask myself are: “What is the actual problem?” and “Why is this a problem?”. It helps me prioritize tasks.
What is the best piece of unconventional career advice you’ve gotten?
A former manager once cautioned me about people having a lot of feelings and how that impacts work around them. The intention of this advice was to help me step back and objectively look at a situation without factoring in how the team was feeling. This had the opposite effect on me. I often think about the teams I work closely with and how they feel. I have found value in approaching people as individuals, and treating each situation uniquely. Considering how people feel has allowed me to develop a relationship with them, and to find ways to work together to support changes we often face.
What is your proudest moment working in the cybersecurity industry?
When my mom moved to a retirement community, she discovered many neighbors had fallen for phishing and vishing scams. She asked me for advice, and we organized a session with the local Computer Club. It was a hit, with great questions and requests for more.
My favorite was a multi-generational session featuring my mom, my daughter, and me discussing how cybersecurity has evolved. I love sharing knowledge and helping communities stay safe.
When did you become interested in pursuing a career in cyber and what prompted it?
I was very fortunate and fell into cybersecurity. Earlier in my career I was a contractor in IT, and through this work I was required to obtain several certifications, including a cybersecurity certification. As I continued to develop new skills and experiences, I found a passion for helping IT develop and implement secure solutions.
What are the top 3 things you would tell people hoping to enter the cybersecurity industry?
- People generally want to do the right thing, but they don’t always understand what that is. Try to understand what they want to do, and how they can factor in secure practices to their work.
- Slow down. Many people want to grow their career very quickly. Take time exploring different aspects of cybersecurity to find out what you get excited about. I have always told my kids to find out what makes you happy, and then figure out how to make money doing that.
- There are many ways to get something done. Great leadership is about discovering what works best for you. Surround yourself with people you trust and admire, but also pay attention to those who challenge your perspective. Both will teach you something valuable.
What are some misconceptions people might have about the cybersecurity industry and what can we do to change these misconceptions?
The one that I hear most frequently is: “Cybersecurity is interesting, but it doesn’t impact me.” Cybersecurity can impact anyone in any career field. Everyone has a role to play to keep personal and company data safe.
Do you feel like you’re contributing to helping keep our world secure and can you share why that matters to you?
I am fortunate and proud to work in the healthcare industry. Most people seek healthcare at some point in their life, so I’m excited that I can do my part to keep our team members’ and patients’ data safe.
What positive change do you think will take place as we bring the next generation into the cybersecurity industry?
The newest generations have never experienced a non-connected world, and technology is second nature to them. I am hopeful they will also grow up understanding the impact of cybersecurity on their life, and instead of mindfully considering cybersecurity, it will just be natural to them.
Who is your role model in the cybersecurity industry and why?
I have always admired the previous Chief Information Security Officer at Novant Health, Jeremiah Grant. He is one of the reasons I began working here. While I could go on and on about his knowledge in cybersecurity, what I have been most impressed with is his calm demeanor and his ability to speak to people at all levels in a way that makes them feel valued and important. I admire his leadership and how he has built a culture of “know” and not “no” related to cybersecurity in our organization.
