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

Endeavor

• 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

Motorola Solutions

• 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)

FARFETCH

• 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 

Early Leadership & Career Pivot Strategist | Helping Non-Tech Professionals Lead in Tech | CEO @ Lateral Connect | Digital Transformation Advisor | Non-Executive Director

Most career advice still assumes the straight corporate ladder. But the truth? Careers today grow sideways before they grow upwards.

You don’t need another certificate or years of waiting for a title. 

You need:

- A lateral career strategy that turns your past into a competitive advantage
- Mentorship that accelerates growth instead of delaying it
- Leadership habits that scale with every move you make

I help ambitious professionals pivot with confidence, moving from non-tech into cybersecurity, digital, and emerging tech leadership.

Through Lateral Connect, our mentorship-driven programmes combine:

1️⃣ Career transition roadmaps tailored for non-tech professionals
2️⃣ Early leadership coaching for first-time and aspiring managers
3️⃣ Practical upskilling that leads directly to outcomes in cyber and digital roles

I’ve guided:

🔹 HR leaders into risk management
🔹 Project managers into cyber leadership
🔹 Marketers into digital transformation consulting

This isn’t about chasing titles.
It’s about building a career platform that opens doors to leadership.

📩 Ready to pivot with confidence? DM me or visit Lateral Connect to start your transformation.

You’re not “too late.”

You’re just approaching it wrong.

Most career changers don’t fail to enter cybersecurity, they fail to translate what they already know.

They chase certifications instead of clarity.
They hide their soft skills because they think only code counts.

They wait to be “ready” instead of being visible.
The truth?
Cybersecurity needs thinkers, not just technicians.
Your curiosity, communication, and critical thinking are your credentials.

Swipe through my 9 Mistakes Career Changers Make When Pivoting Into Cybersecurity (and How to Fix Them):

1️⃣ The Certification Collector
❌ Don’t confuse learning with doing.
✅ Apply what you learn in real projects or labs.

2️⃣ The Invisible Expert
❌ Don’t wait for permission to be visible.
✅ Share insights, lessons, and wins online.

3️⃣ The Lone Learner
❌ Don’t isolate yourself while learning.
✅ Build relationships with professionals already in the field.

4️⃣ The Job Title Chaser
❌ Don’t ignore paths that build your credibility faster.
✅ Look for adjacent roles, risk, compliance, governance, awareness.

5️⃣ The Resume Recycler
❌ Don’t lead with unrelated duties.
✅ Highlight projects and achievements that map to security work.

6️⃣ The Silent Applicant
❌ Don’t disappear after you hit “submit.”
✅ Message professionals for advice, not openings.

7️⃣ The Short-Term Thinker
❌ Don’t lose sight of the bigger goal: sustainability.
✅ Map your 3-year growth plan (skills, roles, and visibility).

8️⃣ The Comparison Scroller 
❌ Don’t compare.
✅ Stay curious. Stay consistent.

9️⃣ Waiting for Perfection
❌ Don’t confuse preparation with progress, they’re not the same.
✅ Embrace mistakes as feedback, not failure.

♻️ Repost to remind someone it’s not too late, it’s just time to pivot smarter.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.
 #AskVictoriaCoker

Victoria Coker

Career transitions made possible | From no-tech to cybersecurity leader | Founder @ Lateral Connect | Empowering people to grow, lead & get hired | Skanska, Motorola, Bupa, Virgin Money

9 Mistakes Career Changers Make When Pivoting Into Cyber

I didn’t start in cybersecurity.

I started with doubt. 

When I first explored this field, I didn’t have a tech degree, a security title, or a clear plan. 
Just curiosity, and a desire to do work that mattered. 

But here’s what I learned along the way: The hardest part of cybersecurity isn’t the technology, it’s the transition. 

The waiting. The comparing.

And that’s why I talk about this so openly, because I know how it feels to want a new start without starting over. 

Cybersecurity isn’t just for people with technical backgrounds. It’s for critical thinkers, communicators, project managers, analysts, people who can connect dots, lead under pressure, and protect what matters. 

The truth? 
Most of what makes you great in your current role is exactly what this industry needs. 

So if you’re mid-career and wondering if it’s too late, it’s not. 
You’re not behind. 
You’re being redirected.

Start where you are. ➡️ Learn what you can. ➡️ Share what you know. 

Your credibility comes from thinking, not titles. 

And that’s why I’m here, to help you build a path into cybersecurity that honours the career you’ve already built. 

Because your background isn’t a barrier, it’s your launchpad. 

♻️ Repost to remind someone: they don’t need to start over to start fresh. 
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, cybersecurity pivots, and growth. 

#AskVictoriaCoker #CybersecurityCareers #CareerPivot

Your experience isn’t wasted. 

It’s just waiting to be repurposed.

You’ve built a career solving problems, managing people, analysing risk,
but lately, something feels off.
You’ve outgrown the routine.
You want a challenge that actually matters.

You keep hearing about “cybersecurity”… but it sounds too technical.
Here’s the truth:
Cybersecurity isn’t just for coders, it’s for critical thinkers.
For communicators. For planners. For the ones who ask better questions.

The industry needs your kind of mind, the one that translates complexity, manages chaos, and leads with integrity.

You don’t need a new degree.
You just need to redirect the skills you already have.

Want to Break Into Cybersecurity: Here are 15 Roles That Don’t Require a Tech Degree:

1️⃣ Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Analyst: Great for project managers, legal, or audit backgrounds.

2️⃣ Security Awareness Specialist: Perfect for trainers, communicators, or HR professionals.

3️⃣ Security Policy Writer: Ideal for writers or operations pros who love structure.

4️⃣ Cybersecurity Recruiter: For HR or talent professionals who understand hiring risk and alignment.

5️⃣ Risk Management Specialist: Great for business analysts and compliance leads.

6️⃣ Privacy Officer / Data Protection Analyse: Natural fit for legal or customer-facing professionals.

7️⃣ Third-Party Vendor Risk Analyst: Ideal for procurement or vendor management backgrounds.

8️⃣ Incident Response Coordinator: Perfect for operations or crisis management experience.

9️⃣ Security Training & Awareness Lead: Suited for educators or learning & development pros.

🔟 Phishing Simulation Manager: Great for marketing or communications backgrounds.

11️⃣ Cybersecurity Program Manager: Ideal for project or operations management experience.

12️⃣ Cyber Risk Consultant: Strong fit for business consultants or finance professionals.

13️⃣ Compliance Analyst: Perfect for accountants, auditors, or process-focused professionals.

14️⃣ Security Communications Specialist: Great for PR, comms, or storytelling pros.

15️⃣ Cyber Operations Coordinator: Excellent for admin, logistics, or operations experts.

♻️ Repost to remind someone their experience still has purpose.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.
 #AskVictoriaCoker

Break Into Cyber:15 Roles That Don’t Require a Tech Degree

Outgrowing your role isn’t arrogance. 

It’s awareness.

There comes a point when the work that once stretched you… no longer does.
You still care. You still perform.
But you’re no longer learning, you’re maintaining.

That’s not burnout. That’s evolution.

It means your capacity has grown beyond the space you’re standing in.
You start seeing problems before others do.
You mentor peers without being asked.
You care more about impact than credit.

That’s not restlessness, it’s readiness.

The trick is to outgrow gracefully.
Keep contributing. Keep collaborating.
But also start positioning yourself for what’s next, the version of you that’s been quietly preparing in the background.

Let's look at the 7 Habits That Show You’ve Outgrown Your Role (and Still Win the Room):

#1: You Solve Problems No One Assigned You
✅ Start documenting the gaps you close and the outcomes they create.

#2: You Think in Systems, Not Tasks
✅ Pitch one process improvement that saves time, reduces risk, or increases clarity.

#3: You Mentor Without a Title
✅ Offer to guide a colleague or lead an internal mini-workshop.

#4: You Challenge Processes, Not People
✅ When questioning something, pair your critique with one smart alternative.

#5: You Feel Restless, Not Reckless
✅ Don’t silence that restlessness, study what’s missing in your current scope.

#6: You Care About Impact, Not Credit
✅ Track the ripple effect of your work, where it saves, solves, or strengthens.

#7: You Think About “We,” Not “Me”
✅ Publicly celebrate collective wins and share lessons learned.

Sign up to my newsletter at #coker.ltd for more content like these. 

♻️ Repost to remind someone: growth isn’t loud, it’s intentional.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.

 #AskVictoriaCoker

7 Habits That Show You’ve Outgrown Your Role (and Win)

You’ve outgrown your job. 

But not your potential.

You’ve built a solid career, but lately, the spark feels dim.
Not because you’ve lost interest.

Because you’ve outgrown repetition.
You think strategically. You stay calm in chaos.

You spot patterns others miss.
That’s not random, it’s a cyber mindset in disguise.

Cybersecurity isn’t a new start.
It’s a new expression of what you already do well.

Here are 7 Signs You’re Ready to Pivot Into Cybersecurity (and You Might Not Realise it Yet):

1️⃣ You Question Everything
✅ You dig deeper until the “why” finally makes sense.
❌ You accept answers just to move the conversation along.

2️⃣ You See Patterns Others Miss
✅ You spot subtle connections before anyone else even looks twice.
❌ You notice problems only after they explode.

3️⃣ You Stay Calm in Chaos
✅ You slow down, analyse the noise, and find the signal.
❌ You freeze when everything starts to go wrong.

4️⃣ You Love Solving Puzzles
✅ You enjoy the challenge of cracking what others give up on.
❌ You avoid problems that take too long to fix.

5️⃣ You Communicate What Others Can’t
✅ You make complex ideas sound simple, relatable, and actionable.
❌ You over-explain until people stop listening.

6️⃣ You’re Constantly Learning
✅ You treat every update as a fresh skill to master.
❌ You get overwhelmed when new tools show up.

7️⃣ You Value Integrity Over Image
✅ You do the right thing, even when no one’s watching.
❌ You chase credit to stay visible.

♻️ Repost to remind someone they’re not behind, they’re becoming.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.
 #AskVictoriaCoker

Cybersecurity’s next big skill set isn’t technical.

It’s human.

The industry is shifting. Fast.
Tools are getting smarter, but the real advantage? Still people.

The next generation of cybersecurity leaders won’t just manage systems.
They’ll manage humans, risk, and change with precision.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, integrity, these aren’t soft skills anymore.
They’re power skills.

And the professionals who master them are the ones shaping the future.
If you can lead, communicate, and think critically, you’re already ahead of the trend.

Here are 7 Power Skills That Are the Next Big Cybersecurity Trend (and How to Use Them):

1. Strategic Curiosity
↳ The best defenders don’t just know tools, they question everything.
✅ Explore root causes before jumping to fixes.
💡 Curiosity uncovers what code can’t.

2. Adaptive Thinking
↳ Threats evolve fast, your mind has to move faster.
✅ Reframe problems when new data appears.
💡 Agility beats experience in a shifting landscape.

3. Emotional Intelligence
↳ Security is about people first, data second.
✅ Read team energy in high-stress moments.
💡 EQ keeps culture secure when systems break.

4. Critical Communication
↳ You can’t secure what people don’t understand.
✅ Influence decisions through storytelling, not jargon.
💡 The best cybersecurity leaders teach as they protect.

5. Systems Thinking
↳ Every alert connects to something bigger.
✅ Zoom out to see how parts interact.
💡 Big-picture thinkers design lasting defence.

6. Integrity Under Pressure
↳ When the stakes rise, your values are the protocol.
✅ Protect people, not just policies.
💡 Integrity is the ultimate cybersecurity framework.

7. Collaborative Leadership
↳  Cybersecurity is a team sport, not a solo mission.
✅ Bring diverse teams together around one mission.
💡 Collaboration closes more gaps than code ever could.

♻️ Repost to remind someone people skills protect more than passwords.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.
 #AskVictoriaCoker

7 Power Skills That Are the Next Big Cybersecurity Trend

I used to believe a career pivot meant starting over.

Turns out, it means building on what you already know.

For years, I thought a pivot meant:
↳ Wasted experience
↳ Lost momentum
↳ Lower pay and status

But here’s the truth:

Career pivots are not resets. They’re accelerators.
They allow you to reframe your skills, expand your opportunities, and position yourself for growth you might never achieve staying in the same lane.

Here are 7 Myths About Career Pivots (and Why You’re Not Starting Over):

1) You’re starting from zero:
 ↳ Past skills don’t disappear; they carry forward into your next role.

2. It means failure:
↳ A pivot isn’t quitting, it’s evolution and proof of personal growth.

3. Only risky people pivot:
↳ Strategic pivots reduce risk by aligning strengths with emerging opportunities.

4. You must take a pay cut:
↳ Well-planned pivots often sustain or even accelerate your earning potential.

5. It’s too late for me:
↳ Career reinvention is possible at every stage of professional life.

6. One pivot defines you:
↳ Your path can evolve many times without limiting future opportunities.

7. Employers won’t respect it:
↳ Hiring managers value adaptability, fresh perspectives, and cross-industry 
   experience highly.

Because the stories we tell ourselves about pivots are often the very things holding us back.

Your career isn’t a straight ladder.
It’s a lattice.
And pivots are the moves that keep you climbing.

💡 Which of these myths do you think stops people the most?

♻️ Repost to remind others they’re not starting over
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for more career pivots + leadership growth insights
#AskVictoria Coker

You don’t need a title.

You need proof of thinking.

Cybersecurity isn’t just for coders, it’s for critical thinkers.
The curious. The communicators. The ones who connect dots others miss.

If you can analyse, adapt, and act with integrity, you already have what it takes.
Titles don’t make impact, transferable skills do.

Here are 7 Transferable Skills That Build Cybersecurity Careers (and Why They Beat Technical Titles):

1️⃣ The Curious Observer
   ↳ They always ask “why” five times 
      when everyone else stops at one 

2️⃣ The Translator
   ↳ They bridge the gap between tech 
       and teamwork, turning jargon into     
       understanding.
 
3️⃣ The Critical Thinker
   ↳ When chaos hits, they don’t panic, 
      they analyse.

4️⃣ The Adaptive Achiever
   ↳ New tools, new rules, new threats, 
      they pivot fast.

5️⃣ The Collaborator
   ↳ They bring marketing, IT, and HR to 
      the same table.

6️⃣ The Integrity Keeper
   ↳ They’ll call out what’s wrong, even 
      when no one’s watching.

7️⃣ The Strategist
   ↳ They think beyond incidents, they 
      think in systems.

♻️ Repost to remind someone to choose their circle wisely.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on Leadership, career pivot and lateral moves in cyber.

 #AskVictoriaCoker

7 Transferable Skills That Build Cybersecurity Careers

Not every battle is worth fighting.

Not every comment deserves your energy.

In leadership, and especially during a career transition into cybersecurity, the real skill isn’t reacting faster.
It’s learning when to pause, protect your peace, and move with strategy instead of urgency.

Because this pivot tests more than your technical skills, it tests your patience, your boundaries, and your focus.

Every day, you’ll face moments that challenge your mindset:
↳ A rejection email after weeks of studying
↳ Imposter thoughts creeping in when others sound “more technical”
↳ Colleagues who don’t understand why you’re pivoting
↳ Online debates that drain instead of develop you

Here’s the truth: reacting to everything doesn’t make you credible, it makes you distracted.

Strong professionals, and strong defenders, know when to conserve their energy.
They respond with clarity, not emotion.
They invest focus in the work that moves their transition forward.

✅ Do: Protect your peace by filtering feedback, setting learning boundaries, and staying mission-focused.
✅ Do: Channel your energy into progress, portfolios, proof points, and professional community.
❌ Don’t: Let distractions, debates, or doubt derail your direction.

Because real growth in cybersecurity, and in leadership, isn’t about being louder.
It’s about being clearer: in your goals, your voice, and your values.
Your peace is still your power. Guard it like your next credential.

♻️ Share if you agree not everything deserves a reaction.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.

#AskVictoriaCoker

You don’t rise to your goals, 

you rise to your circle.

Warren Buffett often reminds us that the company we keep isn’t just social - it’s strategic.

Who we spend time with shapes how we think, what we believe is possible, and ultimately, how far we go.

Spend time with people who challenge you → you’ll rise to meet them.

Spend time with people who settle → you’ll shrink to fit.


The right circle doesn’t just cheer for you.
They stretch you.
They remind you who you are when you forget.

And just as important - sometimes growth means letting go:

of people who drain your energy,
dismiss your goals, or make you question your worth.

Because growth isn’t a solo climb.
It’s accelerated by the people who lift you higher.

❓ Ask yourself: Who in your circle pushes you to do better - and believes in you, even on the days you don’t?

♻️ Repost to remind someone to choose their circle wisely
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth
#AskVictoriaCoker

You don’t need another course.

You need credibility in action.

So many professionals think “readiness” is about collecting certificates.
But in cybersecurity, and in leadership, proof beats paper every time.

Your credibility isn’t hidden in a classroom.
It’s built through how you think, communicate, and respond when things go wrong.

You already demonstrate what cybersecurity demands:
 🔹 Calm under pressure.
 🔹 Curiosity that drives better questions.
 🔹 Integrity that never bends when things get tough.

Those aren’t soft skills.
They’re your proof points, and they’re exactly what the industry needs most.

Take a look at 5 Ways to Prove You’re Cyber-Ready:

1) Pattern Recognition Power
↳ You naturally spot trends and inconsistencies others overlook under pressure.

2) Curiosity That Counts
↳ You ask “why” until the real issue behind the problem finally appears.

3) Calm Under Chaos
↳ You stay composed, assess the facts, and make smart calls in crisis.

4) Communicator of Clarity
↳ You can turn complex information into plain, confident language that builds trust.

5) Ethical Core Strength
↳ You protect integrity and confidentiality even when no one’s watching closely.

♻️ Repost to remind someone their credibility comes from action, not titles.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.
 #AskVictoriaCoker

Courses give you information.

Mentors give you transformation.

I used to think the fastest way to grow was by taking courses.
Stacking certificates. Adding skills.

But here’s the truth:
Courses teach you → but mentorship changes you.

Because while information can fill your mind, mentorship stretches your perspective, confidence, and opportunities.

Here are 7 ways mentors create transformation (that courses rarely do):

1) Share lived experience 
→ not just theory.

2) Offer tailored feedback 
→ specific to your growth path.

3) Ask reflective questions 
→ guiding you to your own answers.

4) Build confidence 
→ by spotlighting strengths while tackling weaknesses.

5) Open doors 
→ through networks and sponsorship.

6) Encourage real-world growth 
→ via stretch assignments and risks.

7) Track progress consistently 
→ holding you accountable and celebrating milestones.

Mentorship doesn’t replace learning, It makes it exponential.

💡 Who’s a mentor that transformed your path?

♻️ Repost if you believe mentorship beats information alone
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for leadership + career pivot insights
#AskVictoria Coker

Your background isn’t a barrier.

It’s your launchpad.

The biggest mistake I see career changers make?
They try to erase their experience instead of elevating it.

You don’t need to start from scratch to break into cybersecurity.
You just need to start translating what you already do well, how you solve problems, manage people, and think under pressure.

Because cybersecurity isn’t a reset.
It’s a reframe.

Project managers become Governance and Risk experts.
Teachers become Security Awareness leaders.
Communicators become the bridge between tech and trust.

Your past isn’t irrelevant, it’s your proof of value.

Here are  9 Ways Non-Technical Professionals Can Break Into Cyber (Without Starting Over):

1. Translate What You Already Know 
→Cybersecurity isn’t a restart, it’s a reframe. 

✅ Reword your resume to show impact, not industry. 
❌ Don’t label yourself “non-technical”, label yourself strategic. 

2. Learn the Language, Not the Code 
→You don’t need to be a programmer to understand protection. 

✅ Follow cyber news and LinkedIn experts daily. 
❌ Don’t assume coding is the only entry ticket. 

3. Build a Cyber-Aligned Portfolio 
→Show how you think before you show what you know. 

✅ Document projects, risk reports, process audits, or awareness plans. 
❌ Don’t wait for permission to start building. 

4. Title: Pivot Through Your Current Role 
→The best entry point might be the job you already have. 

✅ Volunteer for security-related projects (data policy, compliance, privacy). 
❌ Don’t quit before you explore internal opportunities. 

5. Network Before You Need It
→Cybersecurity hires through relationships, not resumes. 

✅ Attend cyber meetups, online spaces, and virtual events. 
❌ Don’t vanish after one LinkedIn DM. 

6. Title: Pick a Niche, Then Go Deep 
→The fastest way is to specialise. 

✅ Learn the top 5 pain points in that niche. 
❌ Don’t try to be “a little bit of everything.” 

7. Title: Share Your Learning in Public
→Visibility builds credibility faster than perfection. 

✅ Create “what I learned” threads or short explainers. 
❌ Don’t hide your growth journey, it’s your best proof of progress. 

8. Stay Consistent, Not Perfect
→Cybersecurity rewards momentum, not mastery. 

✅ Track your wins and share them. 
❌ Don’t wait until you “know enough” to start applying.

9. Speak in Business Outcomes
→Cybersecurity isn’t just a tech problem, it’s a business one.

✅ Learn how security impacts revenue, reputation, and regulation.
❌ Don’t talk only in technical terms, speak the language of value.

♻️ Repost to remind someone: your experience isn’t expired, it’s transferable.
➕ Follow Victoria Coker for insights on leadership, career pivots, and growth.
 #AskVictoriaCoker

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