The train ride from Newcastle to Edinburgh is very beautiful if you get a chance to look out of the window that is. Danielle and I weren’t there for the view however but rather to work. We were on our way to visit ScotlandIS and had a boat load of other things to catch up on.
We were working on the agenda for the upcoming CyberNorth board meeting. We were sitting opposite each other and shared our screens to build the documentation.
After a while, one of the passengers in the opposite seats asked if we worked for a cyber security company. He’d either seen our screens or picked up on our conversation. After we had explained who we are, he went on to tell us how his grandmother was (or had been) a teacher in the Aberdeen area. She was trying to help her students to get into the sector but was struggling to find anyone to help her out.
It was ironic that we were on the way to see the very organisation that could help and so I proffered my business card (remember them?) and asked him to pass it on. He said he would and that I should expect a reply.
I haven’t as yet as it happens but this story shows three things: Firstly, cyber security is a broad church, with lots of different aspects and individuals working to address the wide range of issues.
Secondly, chance encounters make life interesting and can lead to real change.
Thirdly, you should be careful about what you talk about on a train and be very careful about how you share information. Fortunately Danielle and I didn’t talk about anything private, personal or confidential but we could have.
Working in the cyber security sector, perhaps we should have known better.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 