Johanna Williamson Senior Manager - Security Strategy and Governance at nbn™ Australia
J
ohanna Williamson, Senior Manager
While this was one pivotal mentoring event,
- Security Strategy and Governance
Williamson sets great store by such relationships
with nbn, is a big believer in “being the
in general, saying she has been very lucky to have
master of your own destiny, and really
built a number of meaningful relationships which
being in the driver’s seat of your career,
have evolved into providing amazing mentors
making it happen.”
and advocates.
She is leading and implementing nbn’s enterprise
PIVOTAL PEOPLE
security and privacy strategy. It is not a role she
“When I first met these individuals, I never knew at
envisaged holding because it did not exist when
the time they would end up being such important
she joined nbn but emerged as a result of how nbn
and pivotal people in my life,” she says. “It’s those
structured its security operations. Nevertheless
relationships that have stood the test of time and
Williamson says, “I absolutely drove myself to be
have been overwhelmingly important for me in
here. I did this by putting myself out there, seeking
moments where I have had to make decisions
out mentors and advocates, seeking out new
about the next step to take in my security career,
opportunities, trying new things and failing.”
when I have thought about pivoting, or sometimes lacked confidence.
So, it came as a rude shock to Williamson earlier in her career when one of those mentors told her: “Jo,
“I cannot stress enough the importance of seeking
you’re not doing enough.” Upon reflection, she realised
out and building a relationship with a potential mentor
the truth of those words. “It drove me to take action,
or advocate in your career, because you just never
to become fiercer and more resilient and ultimately it
know when the next opportunity may come knocking
pushed me forward.”
on your door. Having an advocate there, in the right room with the right people to say, ‘I know someone
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W O M E N I N S E C U R I T Y M A G A Z I N E
J A N U A RY • F E B R U A RY 2023
