Tejas Cyber Hiring and Employment Month Presentations - Week 4 (June 20th)
Topic 1 - Key Considerations for GRC as a Career
Speaker - Vamsi Kaipa, Global GRC Leader at Skydio
Topic 2 - Key Considerations for Cyber Product Management as a Career
Speaker - Neelima Rustagi, Global Cyber Product Management Leader at ServiceNow
Topic 1 Synopsis - Key Considerations for GRC as a Career
This session offers a strategic overview of the Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) field for individuals considering or transitioning into a career in this dynamic domain. As organizations face increasing regulatory scrutiny, cyber threats, and complex operational risks, the demand for skilled GRC professionals has never been higher.
The presentation will explore what GRC encompasses—highlighting its three core pillars—and examine the evolving landscape across industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, and critical infrastructure. Attendees will gain insights into key competencies required in GRC roles, including regulatory knowledge, risk assessment, audit and compliance frameworks, and the ability to align risk with business objectives.
In addition, the session will provide guidance on certifications (e.g., CRISC, CISA, CGEIT), career paths (e.g., GRC analyst, compliance officer, risk manager), and essential soft skills like communication and ethical judgment. Real-world examples will illustrate how GRC professionals create business value and influence decision-making at the executive level.
Whether you're a student, early-career professional, or considering a pivot into GRC from another field, this talk will help you evaluate the opportunities, challenges, and long-term potential of building a career in Governance, Risk, and Compliance.
Topic 2 Synopsis - Key Considerations for Cyber Product Management as a Career
As cybersecurity threats evolve, the demand for security-centric products is growing rapidly—and with it, the need for skilled Cyber Product Managers (Cyber PMs) who can bridge the gap between technical innovation and market needs. This session will provide an insightful overview for professionals exploring or transitioning into cyber product management roles.
The presentation will cover:
Role Definition: What makes a product manager in cybersecurity different from traditional PM roles—understanding security-specific contexts, compliance drivers, and risk landscapes.
Key Skill Sets: A breakdown of the unique blend of technical, business, regulatory, and communication skills needed to succeed in this space.
Career Pathways: Common entry points into cyber product management (e.g., from engineering, GRC, threat intelligence, or general PM roles), and how to prepare.
Challenges and Opportunities: Real-world examples of common challenges faced by cyber PMs—like aligning with InfoSec teams, managing responsible disclosure, or addressing customer security expectations—and how these challenges also create impact-driven career opportunities.
Ecosystem Awareness: Navigating the broader cybersecurity vendor landscape (cloud, endpoint, identity, threat detection, AI security) and how product specialization plays a role.
Certifications and Learning Resources: Useful credentials (e.g., CISSP, CISM, Certified Scrum Product Owner), frameworks, and communities to accelerate your journey.
Target Audience: Aspiring product managers, mid-career technologists, and cybersecurity professionals curious about applying their skills to product leadership.
Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what it takes to build a successful career in cyber product management—and a roadmap to start or pivot confidently into this high-impact domain.