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Ron Woerner – an Email Interview

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Speaking, presentations, guided group discussions, brown bags, technical talks, impromptu meetings, moderated conference forums: security professionals at some point find themselves talking out loud in front of a wide variety of groups with a wide variety of skills and interests. Indeed, I personally believe that speaking in front of a group of people is one of the key skills necessary for all security professional. Although some people are born with this skill, the rest of us have to work at it. It takes guts, time, knowledge, and practice, practice, practice.

Luckily for all of us we have security professionals like Ron Woerner. Ron is a professional speaker who strives to provide guidance and leadership about speaking to anybody who will take the time to listen. More than once I have found myself turning to Ron and he has always made time for me.

Because of his expertise in speaking and security I decided that it would be a good idea to have Ron do an email interview about security professionals and speaking. First, let’s start with a little background on Ron.

Ron Woerner has over 17 years of experience in the security industry. He has been quoted in CSO, SC, and Information Security magazines and has been a noted speaker at security conferences throughout the U.S. including the RSA, CSI and NebraskaCERT Security Conferences. He has been employed as an Air Force Intelligence Officer, the Information Security Officer for the Nebraska Department of Roads, a UNIX administrator for the Mutual of Omaha Companies, and the Lead Security Engineer for CSG Systems, ConAgra Foods and now TD Ameritrade. Ron earned a Bachelors degree from Michigan State University and a Masters degree from Syracuse University in Information Systems. He was awarded the CISSP security certification in August of 2001, the NSA IAM certification in August of 2003, the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) designation in December 2005 and is a Certified Forensics Investigator.

Before we get into the interview, I would like to thank Ron for his very detailed responses. He really went above and beyond my expectations. It does not surprise me, but I am truly thankful.

Now onto the interview. The following, unedited, text is my questions and Ron’s responses.

1. In Episode 84 of the Network Security Podcast (http://netsecpodcast.com/?p=5), Rich Mogul talked about the importance of
presenting skills. How important is presenting to a security professional and do you think it is any different from that of any other professional?

I agree fully with Rich Mogul that Security Professionals need to be able communicate in both speaking and writing.

Communication skills distinguish security professionals from security technicians. This includes both spoken and written skills. We are constantly selling our ideas. If you can’t communicate, you can’t sell. As a security professional, we need to be able to communicate well in order to influence others behaviors to be more secure.

We speak for three primary reasons: to influence, to inform, and to entertain. In security, we are primarily trying to influence others to be more secure. Occasionally we are informing others about the state of security. Even in technical presentations, don’t discount the need to entertain. Think about the best speakers you’ve ever heard. They were entertaining while informing or influencing.

Consider the Wall St. Journal’s list of the traits that recruiters look for in business school candidates:

  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Original and visionary thinking
  • Leadership potential
  • Ability to work well within a team
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills

I ask, “Shouldn’t this be a similar list for security professionals?”

2. Do you think that the students coming out of college today are lacking the basic skills necessary for presenting information to a group?

I don’t think they’re only missing the skills; they’re missing an understanding of its importance. They will blow-off a basic communications class without realizing that it’s core to their success later on.

Additionally, many college classes require presentations, but often the students are told to do it without being shown how. A history professor does not feel it is their place to show students the basics of presenting. Plus the students aren’t given the right feedback to improve.

There are two primary types of speaking: prepared and impromptu. Most college classes focus only on the former. This is unfortunate because the ability to speak without preparation or notes can easily separate high achievers.

Security professionals need to be able to speak without a lot of preparation, because you never know when you’ll be called into the CIO’s office.

3. The latest Security Ripcord Poll asks is there is a difference between presenting and being able to lead a group discussion. Are these different skill sets or do you think they fall into the same category?

I agree that, “All security professionals should be able to present well and lead conversations.”
However, these are two different, yet related skill sets. In presenting, you are front and center. You need to be able to address all questions and be seen as the SME. In leading group discussions, the focus is on the topic and participants. You don’t need to know the answers, but you do need to what questions to ask. Plus the group is the SME.

As Tony Jeary says, “Life is a series of presentations.” Even in a group discussion, you will be presenting. Both traits demonstrate the need for security professionals to be leaders. As a security leader, you may be called to give a presentation or you may need to lead a discussion group. You better be prepared. One way is to learn and practice both skills.

4. What are some common mistakes that people who are new to presenting will find themselves doing? What are ways to overcome these mistakes?

Mistake #1: Not preparing for everything. This includes the basics, but also the unexpected. Murphy lives at presentations. If the technology can break, it will. Be ready for it.

Mistake #2: Depending too much on PowerPoint. See #1. Be ready to speak without a PowerPoint. Don’t bulletize everything you’re going to say. People came to hear you speak, not to read a book. Also, don’t…read…from…your…slides. (See the Smallest Presentation Hack Ever.) I’ve seen too many good presentations spoiled because of that.

Mistake #3: Too many grunts. Grunts are ums, ahs, and ya knows that fill a presentation. Here’s a great LifeHack has a great article on it: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/how-to-cut-crutch-words-when-giving-a-speech.html. Most people don’t realize how much they grunt until they start listening to themselves.

5. What are some common mistakes that professional speakers can find themselves doing if they are not careful. Can you recommend ways they can determine they are doing these things?

See point 4 above. Those mistakes can happen to anyone.

The most common mistake for experienced speakers is not fighting for feedback. You need an unbiased evaluation in order to see your mistakes and grow. Our good friend, Michael Santarcangelo (http://www.securitycatalyst.com/) pointed out that most professional sportsmen have coaches. Speakers so have one as well.

6. If you had to pick one method to help a person improve their speaking skills, what would it be?

Darren LaCroix, the 2001 World Champion of Speaking, has a mantra for building talent as a speaker: “Stage time, stage time, stage time.” Take every opportunity you can get to present; whether it’s with a couple of people or a whole roomful.

One great place to develop both your speaking and leadership skills is Toastmasters (http://www.toastmasters.org/). A local Toastmasters club can provide all of the things I’ve talked about here. You get practice with both planned and impromptu speeches. You get evaluations from other experienced speakers. You can also get leadership experience. You can even take part in their many speaking competitions. All for a low cost. (I won’t say how much or else it may sound like a commercial.)

7. Do you think that the use of presenting software like Microsoft Power Point or Apple’s Keynote have adversely affected the present skills of today’s professionals?

I once asked Craig Valentine, another World Champion speaker why he didn’t use PowerPoint. He laughed. We place far too much reliance on presenting software. It’s supposed to supplement our presentation, not be its focus. Presentation Revolution has great comments on how, when, and where to use those programs. See its Change This manifesto: http://www.changethis.com/35.05.Presentation.

8. Could you recommend any books, blogs, or websites that people can use to gather information about presenting skills?

  • Toastmasters. Join a club near you.
  • Dale Carnegie has a number of books on leadership, speaking, and improving your people skills.
  • Peter Urs Bender, Secrets of Power Presentations (plus many other articles)
  • Businessballs article on Presentation Skills (http://www.businessballs.com/presentation.htm). We’re always saying that security needs to better connect with business. Businessballs shows how.
  • I’ve also mentioned a number of sites through-out my comments above.

9. Is there anything I have missed that you think it is important to talk about when discussing presenting skills?

Don’t be afraid to get up and do it. You really have little to lose and much to gain. Plus, it’s addicting, once you get into it.

10. Is there anything you are working on that you would like people to know about?

We are continuing to build the Security Catalyst Community (http://www.securitycatalyst.org/forums/). This is a great way to connect with other security professionals from around the globe.

Let me know if you’re going to RSA 2008 in San Francisco. I look forward to talking with you.

“By working together, we all become stronger.”

Ron W

Go forth and do good things,
Don C. Weber

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