From September 15th to October 15th, we celebrate the rich history, traditions and cultural diversity of the Hispanic and Latine communities and honor the contributions and achievements of these communities around the world. In celebration of Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month, we are spotlighting ISC2 volunteer and Mexico City Chapter member Adrián Galindo, CISSP, CCSP, ISSMP and his efforts to promote greater equality and representation in the cybersecurity industry.
Adrián is the Global Leader for Product Security at data infrastructure and storage specialist Hitachi Vantara, where he is responsible for safeguarding valuable products and assets. With offices located around the world, Hitachi Vantara makes it a priority to provide opportunities for professionals regardless of their location, which Adrián truly appreciates. “The company has a strong sense of equality and I’m glad that they offer positions in Mexico and Latin America,” he said. 
Adrián began volunteering with ISC2 as a chapter member where he joined an active community of cybersecurity professionals dedicated to sharing knowledge and resources with one another. He went on to become a founding member of the Mexico City Chapter after finding strength and inspiration from senior colleagues. “Community is built from the synergy of its members and it’s vital that we share our experiences with the coming generations.” Since then, he has attended several ISC2 Congresses, participated in study groups and served as a panelist for various cybersecurity summits, including the ISC2 Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit.
During Hispanic and Latine Heritage Month, Adrián feels immense pride for his Mexican heritage and enjoys interacting with colleagues and professional groups that take an interest in his culture. He encourages people to look beyond stereotypes and instead appreciate the beauty of the diverse cultures within the Hispanic and Latine communities. “I have never denied my origins; on the contrary, I always try to give and show the best of our culture,” Adrián said.
For Hispanic and Latine professionals looking to enter the cybersecurity field, Adrián recommends embracing change and not being afraid to pivot when necessary. The cybersecurity profession can be competitive but with a global workforce gap of 4.8 million, companies are constantly looking for new talent. “Don’t feel underestimated if the door is not open to opportunities on the first try. There is a whole world of options in different domains of the profession,” Adrián said.
He also recommends taking advantage of resources that are more readily available to younger generations like online courses, digital tools and programs, or obtaining certifications . Acquiring cybersecurity skills and knowledge as early as possible will give you an edge when trying to land your first role. “We are responsible for making our world safer and that begins with educating the youth.”
- Secure your first cybersecurity role with ISC2’s How to get into Cybersecurity toolkit.
- During ISC2’s 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit, Adrián was a breakout session speaker representing Latin America. Read the event recap.