Heather Mahalik Barnhart, SANS Fellow and DFIR Curriculum Lead, says being heard in a room is something that many struggle with

Can you share your journey into the security world? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
I was in the right place at the right time. On the back of a C-130 as a young Staff Sargeant, I was offered to interview for a computer forensic admin. I didn’t even know what it meant, but I applied and took the job. I was assigned to write SOPs, go on search warrants, collect and process evidence.

I worked hard and earned an analyst position within a year and the ball kept rolling. I found my niche in the world and became enamored with digital forensics. This was 23 years ago now and it’s crazy to think that I am still learning as much today as the day I walked into my first lab. That is why I stay! The ability to learn something new every day and do work that makes a difference and helps make our work a safer place.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a woman, and how did you overcome them?
The first problem that has been around since day 1 of my career (over 23 years ago) is fair pay. As a woman in tech, it’s been increasingly difficult to know if I am paid fairly for someone with my caliber of experience. As much I try to pretend it’s not a real problem, unfair salaries have and still plagues me. As a woman, I know I am paid less that male co-workers. Finding ways around this has been tricky and while some groups I have worked for and currently work for seem supportive I feel like I have to fight for what I deserve. We can all do better here by treating women in tech as equals. I will continue to speak up about this and ask for what I believe I deserve.

Being heard in a room is something that many struggle with. As a woman, finding the right room where people want to hear you is key to gaining confidence and finding your voice. I am lucky that I have found a home at SANS and Cellebrite where my voice is not only heard, but is also valued. I strongly encourage any woman out there to find the room that will listen. Don’t be afraid to use your voice, but always back what you are saying.

How do you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over time?
I lead by doing. I pride myself in leading by example and not creating high expectations for others to meet that I am not willing to do myself. I stand up for my team and I try to organically create teams of people based upon skills and personalities that feed into morale and increase work effort. I have formed teams over the last decade of people who are “dotted line” to me at best and we have accomplished so many amazing things. These teams have helped me grow into an even better leader and into the woman I am today.

What strategies do you use to motivate and empower your team?
I hold people accountable, and it helps show that I trust them to do their job, but I will be behind them asking questions when they don’t. A team cannot function when someone is unreliable. Mistakes are made and we learn from it, but you must be willing to do your job and stand behind your work and your word.

Have you had any mentors or role models who have significantly influenced your career? How did they impact your journey?
I have worked for so many great men over the years. Many of them have naturally paved the way for me. I feel the need to state that I said men, yes men. Men do support women. Often, women believe they must find another woman to mentor them and that isn’t the case. Finding the right person to inspire during that specific time or while you are on a certain path is what matters.

My first mentor was Shawn Howell. He taught me forensics and believed that I could do something I had zero training for. He took the time to teach me and I credit him for my stance on the importance of validation. Rob Lee was and still is a great mentor to those in DFIR who he sees something in. Rob introduced me to SANS. For that I am forever grateful. He also helped me find my voice in the room and encouraged me to speak up. Since then, I’ve had many great bosses, mentors and smart friends who guide me along the way and help me stay focused.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the security world?
Stand up for yourself. From salary, how you are treated, to assigned responsibilities – make sure it’s for your skill and not because you are a woman. Do not let anyone knock your crown off your head. You deserve a chance as much as anyone else. In a male dominant field, it’s important that we encourage on another and not compete. There is plenty of work for everyone. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

Can you highlight some of your proudest achievements in your career so far?
I worked on Osama Bin Laden’s media and was given several awards for my work. Working in a classified environment is mentally challenging when you can’t share your work with anyone outside of the office. This case was something that my family could celebrate with me. Huge efforts which made a big difference in the world being safer. I have been awarded for many things over the last two decades but hearing that someone uses my SANS courseware, blogs, books, or advice to solve cases makes my day. Every single time! I put in the work, and I share it. Hearing that it helps makes it worth it.

How do you manage work-life balance, and what tips do you have for other women striving to achieve this balance?
Terribly, but I am getting better! I listened to a podcast recently about single tasking. It’s when you do one single thing at a time. Not doing a puzzle and listening to a podcast. It’s doing one of those things for 15 mins a day. It relaxes your brain. As women, we brag about doing a hundred things at the same time. We need to slow down so we don’t burn out.

I am also trying to “log out” at the end of the workday. Don’t open your email all evening. Don’t be on group chats. Put your phone down and disconnect. I joke with my kids that I lose my phone, and they love it. They can tell when I am still working. I don’t want to send a message to them that mom works round the clock. They help me find my balance.