In the Customers’ Corner
In my role as a Consulting Engineer with the Security Operations, or SecOps, team, I work with the sales account teams in the field. The SecOps team consults with customers about their security programs and how we can help them achieve better security outcomes. We also help account teams extend the relationships from the network security team into the Security Operations Center, or SOC. This helps drive the need to consolidate tools and adopt more of the Palo Alto Networks platform and best practices.
This is unlike any other team I’ve worked within this industry. We’re security people and are focused on security, but we’re more driven by successful customer outcomes and how we can apply our technologies. We’re not looking for ways to shovel tons of our products at them — instead, we’re looking for ways to make them more successful and confident in using our products, protecting their systems.
My team also educates and engages with the Systems Engineers and partners in the field on the various SOC use cases and trending security topics that are top of mind to our customers. What I enjoy about the role is that my day to day is rather dynamic. Every customer interaction is unique, and each one provides insights on how security concerns can vary based on industry. We are truly working to partner with customers as technical advisors.
Although many who work in cybersecurity come from a variety of backgrounds, I actually studied systems engineering in college and began my career in network security. In previous roles with other companies, I worked to help safeguard data for the financial services and insurance sector, and that’s where I first encountered Palo Alto Networks’ products. But more than the quality of the technology, what I was hearing increasingly from competitors and colleagues was about its great company culture. That gave me the confidence to take the leap and pursue a role with the company.
Family Feeling
Now that I’ve been with Palo Alto Networks for over three years, I can see what those people were talking about. If I had to pick one word that describes the company culture, I’d pick “family.” The family feeling here is what sets this company apart. Even though I work remotely, I work on a small team of just four consulting engineers, so we’re an intimate, close-knit group. I knew them all before coming to work here, and we already had a great rapport. I have the flexibility to work on my own as well as with the team in our offices when I need that camaraderie and exchange of ideas, so it’s the best of both worlds.
I really enjoy the fact that people in this company, at all levels, are encouraged to engage in dialogue and offer feedback, and that the managers have an open-door policy. But especially within my team, there’s a real openness and a sense of moral support. If they feel I’m struggling or if I need help, they have my back. All I have to do is show up and raise my hand; there are no dumb questions. Being that we’re a team of technical engineers, we’re the throats you choke when things go bad, so having people support you — whether it’s management, your peers, or the president of the company — show up at your meetings, try to kick down doors for you, and celebrate your successes, that is so important, and it’s what I love about working here.
That company culture is a big part of coming to work here too. You need to be someone who has the right aptitude and attitude, to learn and challenge yourself and be receptive to feedback. That’s part of why the interview and hiring process can be long; the company has really grown in the last year, with new acquisitions and larger staffs, but they’ve still successfully maintained that family-oriented feeling, so it’s important to be patient during that process because it’s part of what makes this company special, and it has paid off.
And it’s also important to know that this company values diversity. The leaders here recognize that the more people we include, the more cultures and backgrounds we have offering perspectives, and the stronger and more approachable we make the security community. It used to be that cybersecurity was viewed as a man’s world, but I’ve seen that changing, so my advice is just to show up. Ask questions. Stay curious. There is opportunity in this industry if you’re willing to work hard for it.
Onboarding is Key to the Remote Worker Experience
As Global Onboarding Manager for a cybersecurity company, I find myself in a unique position. I know we’re in a period of historic change where the unemployment rate is at an all-time high, which shifted seemingly overnight, where just a few months ago, we were in the opposite situation. As we navigate the current unprecedented global situation, with all of the changes and outside stressors that all employees are feeling, employee engagement is even more critical than it’s ever been before. However, no matter how many people (or how few) are being hired, onboarding is still a critical piece in the Employee Engagement plan. I’ve seen the value of a good onboarding experience firsthand. In fact, a 2017 report says that a company that invests time in a quality onboarding process not only is 25% more likely to retain its workers, but also will see an 11% increase in performance. And nearly 1 in 10 people have left a company due to poor onboarding experiences.
Looking back over the past few years, I’ve also witnessed Palo Alto Networks grow exponentially, in both our product offerings and our number of employees. However,as we began taking a closer look at attrition and engagement rates, it became clear to us that we were missing the mark with some of our onboarding efforts. The processes we’d followed when the company was a small startup no longer suited a company with our increased size and scope, and they didn’t necessarily address our large remote workforce as effectively as they could have. So we’ve recently initiated a number of changes to the onboarding process for remote employees. This has proved exceptionally important during today’s current WFH (work from home) situation for many employees around the world.
Welcome Day
One of many elements of our onboarding that we redesigned is our initial start day/start week experience for employees, which affects not only those who work at headquarters, but also remote employees. (Note: we mention start date and not “Day One” because for us, Day One is the day you sign your offer; that’s when your onboarding begins!) By your first day, if you’re an employee in the Americas (Canada, the US or Latin America) who is working remotely, you will have already been invited to participate in Pre-Boarding (a virtual learning path you received after you signed your offer) and been sent an invitation to “Virtual Welcome Day”. Using Zoom conferencing and G Suite collaboration tools, you’ll take part in an interactive, live, facilitated session that was specifically designed to deeply engage remote workers. In this interactive environment, you’ll connect and participate with people of all backgrounds from different countries , and you’ll learn about our company, our values, our platform, and our resources. Feedback from the last two quarters of participants in this new program has been overwhelmingly positive — our program earned an NPS (net promoter score) of 96 — that’s something we’re very proud of.
The First Three Months
Our efforts to engage remote employees don’t stop after Virtual Welcome Day. One of the takeaways at the end of the session is the introduction to “Level Up,” our digital learning platform, which features a 90-day on-demand onboarding path. By using this approach, our new hires get on-demand materials in a way that’s more easily digestible and retained, presented when they’re ready for it, and ensuring they’re set up with the tools they need to become happy, engaged, long-term employees.
We also connect with our employees multiple times within their first three months — checking in, sharing resources, and getting their feedback. A new job is a big life change, and it can be hard to recall everything you’ve learned on your first day, so we make this information continuously accessible. By getting their perspectives, we ensure a dynamic program that meets their needs.
The massive growth of the cybersecurity industry means that we’re continuing to hire new employees. The workforce is evolving, and if we’re going to remain successful, our onboarding efforts must constantly evolve with it. I’m proud of the changes we’ve made so far and look forward to finding new opportunities to help all employees to stay meaningfully connected to Palo Alto Networks.
Dare to Dream
I am a dynamic, creative, energetic, passionate woman and mother of two, and I have worked for the last four years as a Sales Representative for Palo Alto Networks, in the Asia Pacific, or APAC, region. In my role, I’ve been mainly selling to clients in the banking and finance sector. Because I have consistently exceeded my targets and set sales records within APAC, I’ve been given the exciting opportunity to lead the Enterprise team in Singapore to begin taking on new challenges in sales.
Sales is the frontline of technology — it’s where we present solutions to the clients. When we’re selling, we need to know our products well so that we can cater our solutions to appropriately address our clients’ problems. It’s a goal-oriented role in which we’re measured by how well we meet our targets. But it’s also quite fun in that we’re meeting many new people and building relationships with them. There’s a lot of flexibility in how we manage our work. I find that the greatest sense of achievement comes from helping clients to fend off their digital adversaries and protect their digital way of life.
From my years of working in this role, I’ve learned that I need to constantly think outside the box to find solutions that disrupt our competition in the marketplace and win over new clients. I’ve learned the importance of always staying positive when taking on challenges and accepting rejection. I also need to be open to changes in mindset in order to drive my team members forward to achieve our desired results.
Following My Heart
I come from a family with a background in the food and beverage industry, so I used to believe my career path in that industry was set. Fortunately, I have supportive parents who encouraged me to pursue my interest in technology — a much more specialised field than simply “Business Studies.” I chose to earn a degree in information technology and to work in technology sales, specifically, because it is ever-changing, like a chameleon. It is so important for every facet of our lives, and there are so many distinct roles within the field that contribute to our digital lives. Much like the fashion industry, I see technology as a very colourful trade. I’ve enjoyed my career in tech ever since I embarked on it almost a decade ago, and I’ve never looked back.
I’ve noticed that there seems to be an association between computers and the male gender, particularly having to do with gaming or coding. There seems to be the impression that technology is very complex and binary, and for some reason they believe that men are better “wired” to work in the field. This may be why fewer women work in tech than men. However, I don’t see gender as predisposing anyone to be “better” at technology. In fact, the diverse perspectives and approaches toward solving problems that come from having a blend of backgrounds, genders, and cultures contributes to a healthier organization and technology sector.
This can be a demanding career, though, which is why I find it important to maintain work-life balance. I do this by incorporating a weekly exercise regimen at the gym, keeping a weekly schedule for keeping up with friends and spending time with family, and taking holidays at least twice a year. I enjoy going out for a great meal and cocktails, taking drives by myself to explore new places and experiences, and shopping. I try to live by the motto, “Work hard, and play harder.”
I think whatever career you choose, you should find it satisfying and enjoyable. A job is where you spend time every day for most of your life, so it should be something that you care deeply about and find enjoyment in. Start with the right attitude, and don’t let your first impression of any industry turn you away. Know that there are numerous careers outside of the typical coding or tech support within the technology sector, so if tech is something that interests you, it’s worth exploring roles within it that suit your interests and talents. Be yourself and dare to dream!
The Future of Work
“I love my job because I get to play a small part in securing our future way of life. I look after those working tirelessly to make that happen. ”
I was approached to join the Workplace Resources team in Singapore when I was running a think-design co-working space. Being amongst start-ups and entrepreneurs, I loved the high energy, dynamism, and collaborative spirit. At first, I was hesitant at the idea of joining a more mature work environment in the highly technical space of cybersecurity. I felt nervous as I came from the hospitality industry where I was a wellness specialist, and I knew nothing about cybersecurity. That very quickly was put to rest as I found myself working with a dream team and every single person that I came across from day one has been welcoming, helpful, and smart. I can count on my colleagues to give me honest feedback when something is not working, and at the same time, I can always count on them for help.
Joining Palo Alto Networks, I was excited to learn about the products and to educate myself on cloud services and solutions. It could not be more different than what I was trained in but I wanted to stretch myself and to grow out of my comfort zone so the learning got easier. There are online modules that I can take to help me learn about our products and services, as well as webinars and workshops that I can attend to improve myself. This knowledge has helped me tremendously in crafting the work experience and enhancing employee’s engagement through targeted amenities, events and CSR activities. Another thing that stood out is that there are many opportunities for cross-functional projects here and there is an amazing amount of internal mobility to broaden your scope and experience.
I love my job because I get to play a small part in securing our future way of life, by looking after the people who are working tirelessly to make that happen. My goal is to create spaces that are high-performing to enable collaboration, creative ideas and productivity. This is the future that I am building at Palo Alto Networks.
The Unexpected Advantages of Working at Home
I am Senior Manager SQA (Software Quality Assurance) Engineer for our Cortex XDR group and I’ve been at Palo Alto Networks for almost 2 years. My wife, Maya Kats, is a Head Nurse (with a capital “N”!) in charge of the Neurology Department but since COVID-19 her responsibilities have shifted to a supervisor role at Assuta Ashdod Hospital to support COVID-19 patients.
This is the first time, as an adult, married with children, that I am lucky enough to spend more than a straight week at home with my family. With two kids who are 9 and 12, the routine is much more complicated and since my partner is going into work, I get to be in charge most of the days. There are many unexpected advantages during this period and I’ve realized that this is probably a once in a lifetime experience.
We didn’t manage to arrange the home office in time, so usually, it’s a sofa in my backyard or sometimes in my bedroom. I don’t want to lock myself in some room, it feels too claustrophobic, so I like having some space where I can work.
Between what feels like endless Zoom meetings that are interrupted by “Dad, I want to eat,” or “Dad, I’m bored, let’s play,” I’ve found that what works for me is not splitting up my time into work hours and home hours, it’s combining the two and balancing both responsibilities throughout the day. For me, I’ve found that it’s very important and efficient to connect over Zoom (the closest thing to an in-person conversation considering the current situation) versus connecting over emails or Slack messages.
I’ve learned, or to be more precise, I was reminded that my biggest problems and complaints are minimal compared to real-life problems and what my wife deals with on a daily basis at her job. I’ve realized that I am capable of many things I never imagined I could do by myself. Since COVID-19, cybersecurity now more than ever is important, and in many ways, the work has become more intense. However, my team has shown again that they are a very responsible, committed, and hardworking group of people, who are striving to get the best results in spite of so many obstacles. And last but not least I’ve learned that our Tel Aviv site is capable of doing anything and everything we decide to accomplish.
Navigating A New Routine
I am a Senior IT Systems Engineer in the IT Department and I’ve been working at Palo Alto Networks for 2.7 years. My wife, Viki, is a Deputy Manager of the X-Ray Department for Assuta Hospital in Ashdod and we have 2 kids, Nicole who is 6 years old, and Adam who is 3 years old.
Before this crazy COVID-19 period, I would go into the office every day. And, although I had the option of working from home when needed, I really preferred going into our cool office and working with my team in person. After a day at the office, I would commute back home and spend some time supporting my colleagues in the United States. Since COVID-19, my routine has changed.
Now I work from home every day with our 2 kids. My wife is very busy working at the hospital, so it is quite challenging at home at times. I’m learning how to balance my days as a dad and as an employee. The only time I get to work quietly is at noon, while my youngest child is sleeping and the older one is watching her daily movie, or in the evenings when my wife is back from work.
Since my wife and I work from home in the evenings, we already have a dedicated room with a working station. So didn’t have to upgrade anything special. I have a large deck with a 25″ screen which I connect my laptop to – not as comfortable as my 3 large screens at work, but does the trick 🙂
Throughout this, I have learned that there are advantages to working from home. Between attending Zoom sessions, managing my daily tasks and projects, and working closely with my teammates, I can be as effective working from home as I am working at the office. I’ve also learned to be more flexible with my working hours so I could spend more time with my kids while balancing my job. And one of the biggest advantages of working from home is, of course, the time saved on commuting.
Palo Alto Networks has provided support to all its employees and has set aside additional funds to make sure their employees are taken care of. I personally feel like whatever is needed for an employee to work efficiently will be provided. The entire organization understands this special situation and is really supportive of all employees.