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What if protecting yourself online wasn't mysterious or intimidating, but as normal as locking your front door? Dd Budiharto, founder of CyberPoint Advisory LLC and self-proclaimed "cybersecurity equivalent of a Swiss army knife," is on a mission to make that reality.
Dd's remarkable journey spans continents and careers – from arriving in America without speaking English and working as a campus janitor to briefing CEOs for meetings with President Obama. As a veteran CISO who protected critical infrastructure for multiple oil and gas companies, she witnessed firsthand how cybercriminals don't discriminate between targets. This realization, coupled with seeing a friend's mother lose $850,000 to online scammers, fueled her passion to democratize cybersecurity knowledge.
Now as a fractional CISO, Dd splits her time between enterprise clients and small businesses that could never afford full-time security leadership. She tailors her approach to each organization's specific needs, recognizing there's no "cookie-cutter" solution to security challenges. Her Cybersecurity Circle initiative brings together complete beginners and seasoned professionals in a welcoming environment where they can learn together through accessible, relatable, and – yes – fun discussions about digital safety.
Throughout our conversation, Dd shares powerful insights about career evolution, work-life balance, and the humbling experience of stepping back from prestigious roles to prioritize family during the pandemic. Her message of continuous reinvention resonates whether you're just starting in tech or leading a security program: "Future-proof yourself" by remaining flexible, continuously learning, and understanding that meaningful impact happens at every career stage.

Note: In the podcast, Dd refers to the DoD (Department of Defense). The correct agency she is referring to is the Department of Energy (DoE).
Connect with Dd to learn how you might start a Cybersecurity Circle in your community, or join the movement to make cybersecurity knowledge accessible to everyone. Because defeating cyber criminals requires an army of informed users, not just security experts.

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