Many businesses are facing cyber threats that can impact their operations and data security. The Computer and Network Security industry plays a critical role in addressing these challenges with innovative technologies like AI-powered threat detection, endpoint protection platforms, and advanced encryption methods. Leaders in this industry are instrumental in driving these advancements by promoting cybersecurity awareness, implementing strong defense mechanisms, and adhering to regulatory standards. They also prioritize ongoing education and training for their teams to stay informed about emerging threats, collaborate with stakeholders to share threat intelligence, and establish effective incident response strategies to minimize potential harm.
Liz Drysdale, Area Vice President of Marketing at SentinelOne, is a well-known leader in this industry dedicated to delivering impactful work. Her leadership style is known for its adaptability and dedication to creating a positive work environment that promotes innovation and growth.
Education to Innovation
Liz has been working in the marketing field for 24 years, starting in Brazil within the education sector. Throughout her career, she has lived in five different countries, including Brazil, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Spain. She has had the opportunity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures in her roles covering Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Liz’s career has been marked by significant moments and chances for growth.
After working and studying marketing in Brazil, Liz decided to pursue a postgraduate degree in Marketing from the Royal Chartered Institute of Marketing in London. She also worked as a junior marketing manager at a hospital chain during this time.
Upon moving to Australia with her husband, Liz transitioned to a business development role at a corporate education provider. However, she found the sales environment too restrictive. She moved to the Special Reports department at Australia’s largest newspaper, where she could use her creativity to drive advertising sales during the digital transformation of the industry.
When working for a few years in New Zealand, Liz explored various roles. She worked as a graphic designer for a real estate agency, taught marketing fundamentals and project management at a local college, and consulted for local businesses. Though it seems challenging, she experienced a golden period over there.
Upon returning to Australia in 2012, Liz secured a job in the IT industry. She adapted herself to B2B IT marketing, which was a new thing, but her international experience and proactive attitude were appreciated. Liz focused on learning and revisiting marketing basics to drive innovative campaigns and achieve success in her role. Currently, Liz holds the position of Area Vice President of Marketing at SentinelOne.
Transforming Cybersecurity with AI
SentinelOne was founded in 2013 with a new and innovative concept. Instead of relying on traditional, signature-based tools for attack detection, the company aimed to disrupt the endpoint security market by introducing an AI-based solution capable of proactively preventing cyber threats. Over the past decade, the company has consistently delivered innovations that have transformed the industry.
The company introduced the first generative AI-powered platform for cybersecurity. Additionally, SentinelOne was the first provider to launch an AI-powered threat-hunting platform and introduced Purple AI, recognized as the industry’s first AI security analyst. The company recently revealed its vision for autonomous security and new capabilities integrated into the Singularity Platform, marking a significant leap forward in cybersecurity technology.
In today’s diverse threat landscape, SentinelOne offers a comprehensive, AI-powered security platform that safeguards all areas of an enterprise, from endpoints to the cloud. Founder and CEO Tomer Weingarten emphasizes the importance of continuous evolution in security and underscores the company’s dedication to developing solutions that proactively address and neutralize threats. Through advancements in AI and automation, SentinelOne makes cybersecurity accessible to all enterprises, allowing them to operate with increased efficiency and sophistication. The Singularity Platform, Data Lake, and Purple AI enhance the capabilities of security teams, offering expert assistance and improved visibility.
Embracing Situational Leadership
“Flexibility and agility are key in today’s fast-paced environment.”—quotes Liz.
Liz’s leadership philosophy is based on the principles of “Situational Leadership.” She understands that leading a diverse team requires flexibility and adaptation. Her team consists of individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and personalities, each with unique learning styles and motivations. She believes that effective leadership involves adjusting her approach to meet the needs of each team member.
Liz promotes fairness and a positive work environment by setting a good example. She holds herself to high standards and expects the same from her team in terms of delivering excellence, meeting deadlines, proactive communication, and attention to detail. Liz recognizes that maintaining high standards can be difficult, but she also understands that everyone is human and makes mistakes. When she falls short or makes errors, she takes responsibility for the situation, showing her team that mistakes are a natural part of growth as long as they are learned from and accountability is taken for improvement in the future.
Building Trust and Growth
“For me, it’s also important to create a positive work environment with an open-door policy, where my team members and stakeholders can share their experience and success.”— says Liz.
Liz ensures that her direct reports receive the appropriate amount, type, and level of coaching they need. Her team consists of individuals with varying levels of experience and education. Therefore, she focuses on asking questions to allow them to demonstrate their tasks and methods, nurturing a positive conversation on aspects that may need improvement. With this approach of “ask questions, never assume,” Liz can also identify specific areas where her team members need her assistance to develop and grow. She believes that the best outcomes occur when team members come up with solutions themselves.
Path to Accomplishment and Growth
What drives Liz is her strong creative streak, which led her to pursue a career in marketing. She finds that Enterprise or B2B marketing offers the ideal mix of scientific expertise, flair, and innovation. Liz enjoys discovering innovative ways to connect with customers while also keeping track of the numbers. The aspect of demand generation marketing being project-based is particularly meaningful to her. She values the sense of accomplishment and the opportunity to learn and grow with each campaign. For Liz, success entails being adaptable in a constantly evolving world. It is not just about achieving goals but also being open to new ideas and willing to adjust course when necessary.
With strong leaders like Liz, SentinelOne has achieved success through its innovative and determined approach to cybersecurity. According to Liz, the company is known for being a team of innovators and problem-solvers dedicated to safeguarding global data and systems from ever-changing cyber threats. The company is a leader in autonomous cybersecurity, offering continuous protection through automation and innovation. As the fastest-growing cybersecurity company, its technology is highly regarded. Trusted by prominent organizations and governments, it is committed to delivering transformative solutions to combat potential threats in the future.
Plan A to Plan D
Liz approaches risk-taking and decision-making in both her business and personal life with a combination of boldness and careful planning. She has experienced living on five different continents and changing career paths multiple times, which has shaped her belief in embracing risk and change. While this mindset can be challenging, Liz manages potential risks by always having contingency plans—Plan B, C, and D—prepared in case her initial plan (Plan A) doesn’t work out.
To evaluate the success of a plan, Liz uses specific measurements tied to her objectives. She consistently applies this approach in all aspects of her life, both professionally and personally. For any high-risk endeavor, such as purchasing a new home or launching a global campaign, she establishes clear goals and success metrics to monitor progress and ensure alignment with her stakeholders.
Balancing Innovation and Stability
Liz believes that achieving a balance between innovation, stability, and profitability requires a strategic approach. This involves nurturing a culture that encourages experimentation while upholding core values, and implementing a dual-strategy approach that allocates resources to existing products and new opportunities. Effective risk management, including thorough assessments and pilot projects, minimizes downsides. SentinelOne’s strong leadership emphasizes stability and innovation, supported by governance structures aligned with strategic goals. Continuous feedback and a customer-centric focus ensure that innovations meet market needs, driving both profitability and long-term stability.
SentinelOne’s AI-powered platform aims to enhance cybersecurity operations by automating tasks such as query formulation and data analysis. This can help alleviate the workload on security teams who are often inundated with alerts, enabling them to respond to threats more efficiently. Feedback from users has shown that Purple AI can streamline investigative processes and increase efficiency in managing security incidents. SentinelOne’s AI technology is seen as a practical solution that is making a significant impact in the cybersecurity industry.
Essential Advice for Aspiring Professionals
Liz suggests that female professionals entering the field of cybersecurity should prioritize technical learning, recognizing its continuous evolution despite previous male predominance. She underscores the significance of developing communication and soft skills, such as teamwork and leadership, to establish connections. Liz also recommends advocating for oneself and being ready for favorable and unfavorable results when striving for career progress. Lastly, leaders should encourage the creation of supportive work environments through active involvement in diversity and inclusion efforts to promote inclusivity.
The following is her advice to young leaders starting in marketing within cybersecurity with three key points:
- Understand the marketing fundamentals
- Stay up-to-date with technology
- Be data-driven to avoid personal bias
