Lateral Connect

• Empowering non-tech professionals to launch and lead in cybersecurity careers.
• Provide hands-on cybersecurity training, leadership coaching, and career transition support.
• Building a diverse, inclusive community of cybersecurity leaders through real-world guidance.

CEO & Founder

Technology

• Recruited and led a team of 6 (technical & non-technical)
• Led end to end GRC strategy, overseeing ISO 27001, SOC 2, SOX, ITGC and data privacy compliance programs. 
• Internal and external auditing, including third party vendor assessments 
• Manage cybersecurity risk, regulatory audits, and governance operations across global teams.
• Provide executive-level cybersecurity assurance and policy development.

Director of GRC

Telecommunications

• Recruited and led a team of 12 (technical & non-technical)
• Led end to end GRC strategy, overseeing ISO 27001, SOC 2, SOX, ITGC and data privacy compliance programs. 
• Led cybersecurity strategy, incident response, and risk assessments for critical national infrastructure.
• Internal and external auditing ,including third party vendor assessments 
• Managed a multidisciplinary team of 12 delivering MSSP services and training programs.
• Advised public sector clients including the UK Home Office on platform security.

Senior Security Director (SC Clearance)

Online Retailer

• Recruited international teams across diverse geographic regions (technical & non-technical)
• Directed InfoSec strategy and compliance (PCI-DSS and ISO27001) across global platforms.
• Internal and external auditing ,including third party vendor assessments 
• Led end to end GRC strategy, overseeing ISO 27001, SOC 2, SOX, ITGC and data privacy compliance programs. 
• Led business continuity, disaster recovery, and cyber risk management initiatives.
• Provided cyber consulting to executives and operational teams.

Head of Security

Various Companies

• Managed global security assessments, awareness training, and vendor risk programs.
• Aligned cybersecurity controls and policies across new acquisitions and global teams.
• Internal and external auditing ,including third party vendor assessments 
• Supported ISO 27002, PCI, and HIPAA compliance efforts across business units.

Various InfoSec Roles 

CEO & Founder, Lateral Connect | Empowering Success through Mentorship | Board Member & Trustee | Championing Underdogs | UN Women UK Delegate | Subscribe for Insights!

Helping Non-Tech Professionals Become Cybersecurity Leaders

You don’t need a computer science degree to succeed in cybersecurity.

What do you need? 
The right mindset
Strong guidance
And skills that actually apply in the real world.

As CEO of Lateral Connect, I help professionals from non-technical backgrounds transition into meaningful, high-impact careers in cybersecurity. Through hands-on mentorship, practical training, and leadership development, I support individuals at every stage, from the first pivot to leading cyber teams.

Whether you’re shifting careers or stepping into a leadership role, I’m here to help you bridge the gap with confidence.

What I focus on:

 ✅ Career transitions into cybersecurity.
 ✅ Mentorship and leadership growth in cyber roles.
 ✅ Practical training, not just theory.
 ✅ Skills mapping and professional reskilling.
 ✅ Digital transformation coaching for individuals and teams.

If you’re ready to stop doubting your path and start building your impact
Let’s talk.

📩 DM me or visit Lateral Connect to get started.

Your growth is your win.

No one is going to pay your bills.

Get up; growth is in you.
You need to step out. 

Do you really think discomfort is the hardest part of growth? 

No, it's the distance.

When you start progressing:

 → Set new goals
 → Prioritise your peace
 → Rewrite your own story

Some people won’t clap for you.

They will question you.
They will remind you of who you used to be.
They will pull you back with guilt, confusion, or even silence.

Not everyone is meant to grow with you.
And that’s not a failure. It’s a fact.

You are not leaving others behind by growing.
You are simply giving yourself the time to become the better version of you.

So, what can you do when growth feels lonely?

✅ Set boundaries that protect your progress.
✅ Trust that personal growth does NOT require permission.
✅ Surround yourself with people who are proud of your success.

You don’t owe anyone the comfort of staying the same.

If someone only feels safe with the older version of you, 
That is their problem, not yours.

Your growth might make others uncomfortable.
But it will make you powerful.

DM “Growth,” and we’ll discuss what personal growth may look like for you.

➕ Follow Victoria Coker to remind you that not everyone will grow with you and that’s ok.
♻️ Repost for further content and discussions 

#AskVictoriaCoker

Victoria Coker

Helping non-tech professionals pivot into tech leadership | Career Transition Coach | CEO @ Lateral Connect | Digital Transformation Mentor & Trainer | Non-Executive Director

Think, half of your team quit just because of YOU. 

Scary…right??

But it is true….

57% of employees leave their jobs 
And the reason they report is their BOSS (PR Newswire)

Leadership is not just about outputs or hitting targets. 
It is about your ability to guide, motivate, and how you make people feel.

Your team is your asset.
You must know how to value them.

My team is always my first choice.
They make me, Victoria.

How do I make my team comfortable?

 → I show respect for their work.
 → I listen to their opinions carefully.
 → I give my team credit for every small win.
 → I support them whenever they need my support.
 → I remind my team how grateful I am to have them.

The secret ingredient to a successful organisation is strong leadership.

If you are a leader like me, take a pause and ask yourself:

“Are my team members with me because they are comfortable working under me, or are they forced to stay?”

If you are struggling to manage your team, DM “Leadership” to get this success code. 

♻️ Repost this if you believe better leadership creates better workplaces.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for more insights on becoming the kind of leader people want to work for.

#AskVictoriaCoker

Your high-ranking position can't make you a leader.

Leadership is not a title
It is an element of personality. 

I have met many people who say, “I’ll start acting like a leader once I get the role.”

You do not get promoted and then become the leader.
Instead, you become the leader, and then you get promoted.

So, what does leadership look like before earning the title?

8 habits that made me a leader:

✅ Lift Others
✅ Think Out of the Box
✅ Stay Open to Change
✅ Stay Calm under Pressure
✅ Have a Long-Term Vision and Goals
✅ Own the Aftermath of Your Decisions 
✅ Have Clear Communication with Your Team
✅ Take Each Member’s Opinion into Consideration

You do not need a job title to start leading.
You just need initiative.

So, if you’re aiming for your next promotion, do not wait for your turn.
Start acting like the leader you are meant to be.

♻️ Repost this to support someone in your network working toward their next step.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for more content on career growth and leadership.

#AskVictoriaCoker

Are you making the same mistake? 

Imagine working so hard for an organisation only to get overlooked.
Just because your company was busy looking for external talent, ignoring all the ambitious people within the company...

Many organisations do that.

As a team leader, you should never forget:
Your team is watching who you are going to reward with a promotion.

Hiring someone above them, despite all their efforts,
You give them one loud and clear message:

“We don't value your efforts.”

And this would surely demotivate them.

You want to save time? Promote someone from within.

 → The one solving problems quietly.
 → The one leading the way without having the title.
 → The one who has earned the trust of the whole team.
 → Look for the person who’s hard-working and dedicated.

Keep in mind.
If you want people to stay, show them there is a space to grow.

Let’s reward dedication, not just resumes.

P.S. Tag someone in the comments who you think can be the best leader of your team.

♻️ Repost to support fair growth opportunities in your network.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for more leadership tips that empower teams from within

#AskVictoriaCoker

You have studied the tools.

You have got the certifications.

Your resume checks all the boxes.

But still… crickets.
No call-backs. No offers.

Why?
Because what hiring managers really want…
Isn’t always listed in the job description.

You need to fix this now.

But still, your certification is not enough.
Your presence shows and speaks what you are. 

I think there are some things that your certifications can’t show, 
But your presence definitely can:

 → A problem-solving mindset
 → Staying calm even under pressure.
 → Clear and confident communication.
 → “Team comes first” mindset.

That’s what a hiring manager is looking for.

Of course, certifications matter.

But they are tickets to the door, 
No guarantee of a seat at the table.

Want to get hired in cybersecurity?
Don’t just polish your resume.
Polish your mindset.

Let’s shift our focus from just certification to the things that are actually valued.
The industry needs it.

DM me “MINDSET” and let’s talk more about how to stand out to hiring managers.

♻️ Repost this to share what truly matters in career growth.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for real-world tips beyond the resume.

#AskVictoriaCoker

Thank you so much for sharing Naomi Augustine-Walker- TEP.  Hotchpot Clause prevents unfair advantage by “bringing back” prior gifts or loans into the estate calculation, so beneficiaries who received early transfers don’t get more than their fair share when the estate is divided.

Estate Planning and Tax Solicitor | Wills and Probate Professional | Committed to Your Financial Future

View Naomi Augustine-Walker- TEP’s profile

⚖️ Did You Know?

A **Hotchpot Clause** ensures fairness among beneficiaries by considering lifetime gifts or loans.

It helps executors balance distributions so everyone gets a fair share of the estate.

#WillsAndTrusts #EstateEquality #ExecutorTips

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