The cybersecurity landscape, once a male-dominated domain, is undergoing a significant transformation. Women are emerging as powerful forces, shattering stereotypes and reshaping the industry. With their unique perspectives, innovative approaches, and strong problem-solving skills, women are making invaluable contributions to cybersecurity. Shawnee Delaney (CEO, Vaillance Group), a former case officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), has a unique perspective on cybersecurity. Her experience as an intelligence officer, trained by both the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the DIA, involved recruiting vulnerable insiders to gather sensitive and secret information for the U.S. government.
A Human-Focused Approach to Cybersecurity
Recognizing the parallels between her past work and the tactics employed by modern threat actors, Shawnee founded Vaillance Group six years ago. This cybersecurity consultancy focuses on human risk, a critical aspect often overlooked in traditional cybersecurity approaches. Shawnee emphasizes that behind every cyberattack, there’s a human element. By understanding the motivations and psychology of cybercriminals and the vulnerabilities of individuals within organizations, Vaillance Group aims to help organizations protect their assets, from intellectual property to facilities and personnel.
Shawnee Delaney’s Entrepreneurial Rise
Shawnee’s entrepreneurial journey began with Vaillance Group, her first venture. As a novice entrepreneur, she faced the typical challenges of establishing a new business, such as organizational and procedural hurdles. She dedicated herself to learning and networking, striving for excellence in every aspect of her business.
However, one of her most significant challenges was overcoming personal doubts and fears. She battled imposter syndrome, constantly questioning her qualifications. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, driven by her determination to succeed and set a positive example for her children.
Her youngest son, now eight years old, has already expressed interest in following in her footsteps. Inspired by her work, he has begun studying insider threats and cybersecurity, aspiring to take over the family business one day.
Leading the Charge
Vaillance Group’s Human Risk Assessment is an innovative tool that offers an in-depth analysis of human risk factors such as organizational culture, morale, governance, processes, policies, and more. This comprehensive insight serves as a roadmap for organizations to develop effective insider threat programs and mitigate human risks.
The group’s consultants are recognized as world-leading experts in the field of human risk management, with specialized experience spanning both the public and private sectors. Their expertise includes working with major governmental agencies, nation-states, and many Fortune 500 companies. Vaillance Group provides expert counsel on complex and sensitive insider threat assessments, offering strategic guidance on appropriate mitigation responses.
Strategy for Preventing Insider Threats
The first pillar involves Human Risk Assessments, which are critical for identifying vulnerabilities within an organization. Shawnee Delaney’s team conducts a thorough review of organizational policies, procedures, and processes. They interview stakeholders at all levels, from executives to entry-level employees, gaining deep insights into the company’s culture, morale, and the underlying issues that could expose vulnerabilities.
This process, though labor-intensive, results in a detailed report that highlights what the organization is doing well, the unique human risks facing the organization, technology stack assessments focused on human risk, along with actionable steps to mitigate them. Additionally, Shawnee’s team provides a roadmap for organizations to build or refine their human risk management and insider threat programs, tailored to their unique needs and vulnerabilities.
The second pillar focuses on building human risk management programs. Shawnee Delaney helps organizations design turnkey programs that address human risks, such as insider threat. Many companies recognize the need for such programs but struggle with where to begin. Shawnee’s team provides strategic guidance to help companies define their scope, workforce needs, policies, technology stack, and critical asset protections—including intellectual property, trade secrets, and risk registers. They offer end-to-end support, guiding organizations through the development of sustainable and effective human risk management systems. For businesses with limited budgets, they excel at maximizing existing tools and resources to strengthen security and mitigate risk without unnecessary costs.
The third pillar is training and awareness, which Shawnee likens to the foundation of a house. Even with the best tools and executive buy-in, without proper training, organizations are unlikely to succeed in mitigating their human risks. Shawnee emphasizes the importance of educating employees—ranging from full-time staff to contractors and business partners—on recognizing behaviors that may signal a potential risk. If insiders are aware of the threats they pose, which are largely unintentional, and understand why and how they should report concerns if they see something alerting, and the steps they can take to report any concerns safely, the organization is far better positioned to prevent insider threats.
Shawnee Delaney’s training focuses on the three categories of insider threats: unintentional or negligent actions, compromised insiders, and malicious insiders. While unintentional threats and compromised insiders can often be mitigated through training, malicious insiders require more vigilance. By training employees to recognize warning signs of malicious behavior, Shawnee helps organizations intervene early, providing an opportunity for support or corrective action before serious harm occurs, which she likens to keeping your threats “left of boom”.
Flexible Framework for Effective Insider Threat Programs
Shawnee Delaney recognizes that while customer demands in the industry remain relatively constant, the challenge lies in understanding how to meet those demands effectively. Shawnee’s approach is rooted in the understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. As experts in the field, she and her team know that every organization, industry, and sector is unique. Even within the same industry, companies can vary widely due to differences in organizational culture. Some companies might eagerly embrace new programs, while others may feel hesitant or encounter internal resistance.
Shawnee’s team begins each project with a Human Risk Assessment (HRA), which provides invaluable insight into how a company operates. This helps Vaillance Group customize the program to fit the specific needs of the organization, ensuring the approach aligns with its unique culture. Rather than forcing a rigid solution, Vaillance Group tailors the implementation process, taking gradual steps to ensure a smooth transition. Whether it’s taking things in small phases or adapting to the company’s pace, Shawnee is committed to helping clients achieve success in a way that’s sustainable and effective.
Vision for Addressing Risk Across All Sectors
Shawnee Delaney’s current expansion plan focuses primarily on scaling the business in response to growing demand. Due to the high volume of interest and the success of client relationships, word of mouth has rapidly spread, leading to an influx of new clients. As a result, Shawnee’s team is now in the position where they are having to turn down projects. The company’s growth strategy is all about scaling to meet the increasing demand for their services.
When asked about her niche or target market, Shawnee is quick to point out that her services aren’t limited to any specific industry. Her response is straightforward: “If you employ humans, we can help mitigate your risk.” She emphasizes that her approach can benefit any organization, as every business has human risk to manage, regardless of their sector or specialization.
The Art of Empathetic Leadership
Shawnee Delaney believes that empathy is a crucial element of effective leadership. She emphasizes that if a leader cannot empathize with their employees or understand what they’re going through in their daily lives, success will be out of reach. Shawnee draws a parallel between this leadership philosophy and her past experience in espionage. Reflecting on her time as a spy, she explains that she would never have been a successful spy recruiter if she hadn’t approached her sources with empathy, kindness, and respect.
According to Shawnee, people want to be recognized, appreciated, heard, and given a sense of choice, all of which can be leveraged to lower human risk. As a leader, it’s essential to empower employees by fostering these qualities in the workplace.
Vaillance Group Offers:
- Human Risk Assessments
- Insider Threat Program Development
- Human Risk Management Solutions
- Custom Insider Threat Training/Awareness Programs
- Keynotes and Webinars
Embracing Confidence
Shawnee takes great pride in her tenacity and determination. She’s known for not easily accepting “no” as an answer and lives by the motto, “find a way to get to yes.” From a young age, Shawnee was fascinated by counterterrorism and espionage, and by the time she was four, she knew she wanted to become a spy. With unmatched persistence, she pursued that career with relentless dedication, eventually achieving her goal.
For Shawnee Delaney, there were many significant moments in her journey, but one stands out as particularly pivotal. While being hired was a great accomplishment, the defining moment came when she walked across the stage at “the Farm”, the CIA’s notorious spy school, to receive a coin from CIA Director Hayden in recognition of her graduation. Shawnee keeps that coin behind her desk as a reminder of the achievement.
Other moments, such as her first recruitment and her most challenging recruitment, also left a lasting impact and continue to shape her work today. These experiences, along with her entrepreneurial leap into starting her own company, have given Shawnee the confidence to recognize her unique strengths in the industry. She believes in her abilities, and that confidence has driven her to pursue success, knowing she is among the best in her field.
Building High Performing Teams
Shawnee is a collaborative leader who values the input of others. She believes in empowering her team, fostering a sense of ownership and autonomy. This approach, inspired by her parenting style, allows individuals to feel heard and valued.
By assembling a team of highly skilled experts, including former intelligence officials, Shawnee Delaney creates a dynamic and innovative work environment. She prioritizes collaboration, delegating tasks and recognizing the contributions of each team member. Her leadership style is characterized by humility and generosity, as she is quick to credit others for their achievements and elevate their expertise.
A Story of Resilience and Triumph
Shawnee Delaney’s professional journey has been significantly impacted by the pervasive presence of toxic work environments and gender-based discrimination. Throughout her career, she has encountered numerous instances of toxic leadership, characterized by behaviors that often remain unchecked within organizational structures – and all of which are the seeds that breed insider threats. Furthermore, Shawnee has faced a range of gender-based biases, from subtle microaggressions to more overt forms of harassment. These experiences have included instances where her gender has unfairly impeded her career progression, including being denied promotions and opportunities despite possessing superior qualifications.
Despite these significant challenges, Shawnee maintains a hopeful outlook for the future. She points to the growing number of women leaders and entrepreneurs who are actively dismantling systemic barriers and paving the way for future generations.
These experiences have deeply influenced her professional expertise, driving her to pursue a third Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. This advanced study enhances her ability to analyze human behavior, organizational dynamics, and workforce security, complementing her two previous Master’s degrees in Cybersecurity and Counterterrorism and Counterproliferation. With this multidisciplinary background, she brings a unique perspective to risk management, insider threat prevention, and organizational resilience.
The Power of Mentorship
Shawnee recognizes the challenges women face in the cybersecurity industry, particularly in finding role models and mentors. To address this, she actively mentors both men and women, with a special focus on supporting female professionals. She encourages individuals to reach out to her for guidance and advice, often going above and beyond to help others.
Shawnee Delaney is passionate about creating opportunities for women in cybersecurity. She partners with organizations that champion women in the field and supports initiatives aimed at introducing young people to cybersecurity, particularly young women. Balancing Act
Shawnee recognizes the inherent challenges of achieving a perfect work-life balance. She emphasizes the importance of open and transparent communication with her children, helping them understand that every decision comes with its own set of trade-offs. Her children are aware that her volunteer work, business trips, and various professional commitments often require personal sacrifices.
In an effort to foster a greater understanding of her professional life, Shawnee actively involves her children in her work. She brings them to speaking engagements, incorporates them as examples in her presentations, and openly discusses the complexities and rewards of entrepreneurship. This hands-on exposure has inspired her children to pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions, creating a strong, shared connection rooted in business goals and challenges.
“I used to steal secrets for a living, now I help people protect them.”
