Practice What You Preach: My Journey from Criminologist to Product Manager at ACDS

It’s been two years since I first walked through the doors of Advanced Cyber Defence Systems (ACDS), filled with a mix of anticipation and determination. I was joining the team as a Criminologist and Cybercrime Advisor, eager to put my academic background and hands-on experience to use in tackling the growing threat of cybercrime. Little did I know that in such a short span of time, I would transition into the role of Product Manager, which involves gathering and prioritising feature requests, developing a clear product roadmap for the tech team, and communicating between various teams within the organisation to ensure successful product development.

In my journey from cybercrime advisor to product manager, one lesson stands out: you must practice what you preach. This phrase, often tossed around as a motivational slogan, became my personal mantra. It’s about embodying the principles you advocate, even when the path gets rocky and the stakes are high. In cybersecurity, where the threat landscape evolves daily, practicing what you preach is more than a saying; it’s a necessity.

Starting Out: Building Knowledge and Credibility

When I joined ACDS, I was excited but also very aware of the learning curve ahead of me. My criminology background gave me a solid foundation in understanding criminal behaviour, motivations, and the psychology of offenders. However, I knew that to be truly effective in my new role, I needed to dive deeper into the technical aspects of cybersecurity.

I spent countless hours working alongside seasoned cybersecurity professionals, learning from their expertise and asking questions about threat intelligence, vulnerability assessments, and defence mechanisms. I made it a point to immerse myself in the world of cyber threats, understanding how attackers think and how they exploit weaknesses in systems. This experience shaped my understanding that to defend effectively, one must think like an attacker.

This foundation allowed me to work with our business development team to help them better advise customers on how to strengthen their defences against potential breaches, tailoring our strategies to meet their unique needs. I soon realised that guiding them required more than just theoretical knowledge; I needed to lead by example. I had to show them that our recommendations were more than just words—they were rooted in proven strategies that we, too, implemented within ACDS.

Transitioning to Product Management: Leading by Example

The move to product management wasn’t just a career shift; it was an evolution in how I approached my work. In this role, I wasn’t just advising or guiding clients; I was responsible for determining which problems we prioritise to solve and then working with development teams to deliver these solutions. There is an overwhelming feeling of wanting to help solve a problem and I was finally in a position where this was possible. This was a game-changer.

My experience as a cybercrime advisor influenced how I developed our product strategy. I knew firsthand the challenges that organisations face in staying ahead of cybercriminals. My role now was to ensure that our products were equipped to address these challenges—not just today, but in the future.

Practicing what you preach in product management meant a few things. First, I had to ensure that our solutions were user-centric, developed with the end-user’s needs and pain points in mind. Second, I needed to drive innovation, constantly pushing our technology to be as adaptive and resilient as the cybercriminals we were up against. Lastly, I had to maintain an open line of communication with our clients, listening to their feedback and continuously improving our products based on their real-world experiences.

The Challenges of Practicing What You Preach

One thing I am always proud of at ACDS is our commitment to building a diverse team of individuals composed of different genders, ethnicities, backgrounds and ages. It is not enough to talk about inclusion, we have to live it every day. A diverse team brings a variety of perspectives and skills which is vital when facing evolving threats and thinking creatively about solutions. This isn’t just good for business, it is vital for a stronger, more secure future in cybersecurity and is something I hope to see more of in the future.

This journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. The fast-paced nature of cybersecurity can make it tempting to cut corners or take shortcuts to keep up with deadlines. But when you practice what you preach, there’s no room for compromise. Each decision we make, each product we develop, and each strategy we deploy must align with the standards we set for our clients. We must be our own toughest critics, constantly evaluating and testing our defences to ensure they can withstand the latest threats.

Embracing the Role of a Lifelong Learner

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in this field is that cybersecurity is a continuous learning journey. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you become vulnerable. As a product manager, it’s my job to stay ahead of the curve, to understand emerging trends, and to predict where attackers might strike next as well as making sure we aren’t developing features that don’t align with these trends.

I’ve learned to value the power of collaboration—both within ACDS and with the broader cybersecurity community. Engaging in discussions, attending industry conferences, and sharing knowledge with other professionals have all become essential parts of my role. Practicing what you preach means never letting ego get in the way of learning from others, regardless of your title or experience level.

Looking Forward: Building a Culture of Integrity

As I look back on my journey from cybercrime advisor to product manager, I realise that practicing what you preach is more than just a commitment to integrity, it’s about building trust. It’s about showing our clients, partners, and even ourselves that we don’t just talk about cybersecurity; we live and breathe it every day.

At ACDS, our mission goes beyond developing products—we aim to create a culture where security is at the forefront of everything we do. By leading with transparency, continuously learning, and holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards, we’re not just protecting against threats; we’re setting an example for the industry.

Practicing what you preach is the backbone of trust in cybersecurity. It's a commitment to authenticity, a promise that our actions will always speak louder than words. As I continue to grow in my role, my mission remains clear: to ensure that ACDS not only leads the charge in cybersecurity innovation but does so with unwavering integrity.