Name: Lucy Chaplin
(ISC)² Exams Passed: CISSP
Title: Manager
Employer: Wavestone UK
Location: London, UK
Education: Bachelor of Science, Economics and Politics
Years in information security: 4.5
Certifications: PRINCE2 Registered Practitioner, ITIL V3

What did you want to be when you were a child?
A pop star, of course! And I also thought it would be fun to practice law — be a barrister, wear a big white wig and argue in front of a judge.

If you were given three more hours per day, what would you do with it?
The boring answer is get more sleep. But I would also read a lot more, I tend to save that for holidays. And I would also do more triathlon training, I’m doing my first triathlon this year.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I grew up on a farm in Gloucester, England, so I can drive almost any heavy machinery like tractors, diggers and rollers. My favorite was the tractor because you are super high up, it’s comfortable, you can play the radio loudly and you’re protected from the elements.

Why did you become an Associate of (ISC)²?
When I got out of school, I went to work at KMPG and I needed something to give me credibility with clients and colleagues since I did not have a technical degree, but was working in a technical area. By studying for the CISSP exam, I learned a lot. And passing the exam demonstrated that I could understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity. The Associate program was my alternate route because I wanted the CISSP qualification but did not yet have the five years of work experience.

How has becoming Associate of (ISC)² helped you? 
Being an Associate of (ISC)² is a distinguishing credential. It’s opened doors for me, like being asked to speak about cybersecurity. For the One Young World conference, I did a speech on privacy— being aware of your digital footprint and keeping yourself, family and future generations safe online. And the London (ISC)² local chapter is a place that immediately connected me to a network of like-minded people who are also early in their careers. There are also fantastic resources online, like the (ISC)² magazine. 

What advice would you give to someone who is on the fence about pursuing the Associate of (ISC)²?
(ISC)² and the CISSP are incredibly well recognized by cybersecurity and technical professionals. When they see I’ve passed the CISSP exam, they don’t see just an economics grad but someone with a hefty qualification. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5-10 years, I see myself close to or even leading an organization. Maybe as part of a senior management team of a leading consultancy working in emerging technology.

 

Watch these videos to learn more about the Associate of (ISC)².