Cybersecurity Career Advice from Nicole Ford

We sat down with Nicole Ford, Microsoft’s Vice President of the Customer Security Officer Program, for a conversation on launching and advancing cybersecurity careers.  

Drawing on over two decades of leadership in the field, Ford shared practical advice for students, educators, and employers alike. She leads a global team of cybersecurity strategists focused on building trust with customers, strengthening organizational security, and deepening Microsoft’s understanding of cybersecurity challenges worldwide. 

What Skills Do Cybersecurity Professionals Need Today? 

Effective cybersecurity professionals possess more than technical skills. Cloud security, architecture, scripting, and knowledge of cybersecurity controls remain essential. Ford highlighted three additional must-haves: 

1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving:
   • Know what “normal” looks like so you can spot anomalies. Develop instincts to detect things that are suspicious. Sleuth thoroughly, not stopping at the first and most obvious answer. Love puzzles.
2. Communication and Influence:
   • Hone your ability to explain risks to non-technical stakeholders and drive decisions.
3. Business Acumen:
   • Deeply understand how businesses operate. Be able to articulate impacts and risks in ways that inform good decision making.

Increasingly Relevant Technical Skills:

To keep curriculum fresh and updated, Ford called out emerging needs in AI security and ethics, especially around guardrails for large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and bias mitigation. 

 Does a Degree Matter? 

Ford believes that completing a degree shows your ability to take on a large commitment and finish it. But it’s not just about the degree or the technical skills. She urges students to round out their education with courses in public speaking, business, and ethics to become more effective communicators and strategic thinkers. 

Ford sees value in both associate and bachelor’s programs. “Community colleges give students hands-on experience and are especially effective for career changers who are building their technical base,” she said.  Ford attended community college to earn technical certificates as needed throughout her career. For students completing shorter programs, she suggests putting in extra effort to develop leadership and business acumen. This can be done through internships or extracurricular cyber events where students have opportunity to build, lead, organize, and problem-solve.

 Why Must Students Engage in Professional Networking? 

Ford’s advice is clear: 

“You don’t get a job by not networking.” 

She encourages students to: 

• Attend ISSA, ISACA, and other professional meetups
• Join student chapters and affinity groups like the National Society of Black Engineers or Women in Cybersecurity
• Conduct LinkedIn outreach and request “coffee chats” to learn from professionals
• Seek mentorship and explore different roles to discover what path best fits

Cybersecurity is a vast field, and students often find clarity about their preferred roles through conversations with those already working in the industry. Ask cyber professionals to describe their day-to-day tasks. Once you identify your target job, keep your educational path tailored to the skills needed in that role. 

When Should Students Start Planning an Internship?

Many jobs require experience. Internships build such experience. But you must plan at least a year in advance. For example, internships for the summer of 2025 were planned in 2024 and that window has already closed.

Tips for Landing Internships 

• Start networking early. Engage with professionals at conferences and local events.
• Offer to work on small projects, even pro bono, while in school.
• Use LinkedIn Premium to request informational interviews.
• Know the internship cycle. Most are posted between July and October for the following summer.

Attending large events may cause anxiety for introverts. Many brilliant technicians happen to be introverted, but they are truly needed in cybersecurity! To these, Ford recommends one-one-one chats through LinkedIn. 

“Coffee chats build relationships without the pressure of a large event.” 

What Are the Biggest Threat Vectors of Today?

Ford answered without hesitation. The greatest threat to most businesses is still email. Phishing remains the dominant entry point for attackers, with rising trends in vishing, smishing, spear phishing, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) fatigue attacks. She also warned of a surge in identity-based attacks — often initiated through deceptive text messages or social engineering. 

How Can Industry Partner with Academia? 

Ford sees untapped potential in deeper collaboration between local businesses and education programs. Her advice for colleges: 

• Invite local CISOs or their teams as guest speakers
• Create advisory boards with industry professionals
• Offer opportunities for students to shadow security teams
• Design co-op or internship pipelines based on business needs

“Having an advisory board is a great way to open doors,” Ford explained. “We want to help review curricula and find talent. We’re always looking for well-rounded people.” 

What Does Microsoft Want from Academia? 

Simply put, 

“Keep producing amazing individuals — students who are technically sharp, able to communicate, and ready to solve the problems of today and tomorrow.”