Tag Archives: 7Rapid Questions

7 Rapid Questions with Toshio Honda, Sr. Security Solutions Engineer

Post Syndicated from Rapid7 original https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/10/31/7-rapid-questions-with-toshio-honda-sr-security-solutions-engineer/

You have been with Rapid7 for 4 years now, what originally attracted you to work here?

7 Rapid Questions with Toshio Honda, Sr. Security Solutions Engineer

I worked for a cybersecurity company who is a leader for the “Prevention” area prior to joining Rapid7, and I was looking for the next opportunity based on 3 criteria:, “Interesting Products”, “a flexible work environment” and “a supportive and talented team of people”. Rapid7 checked the box for all three of these areas, with a platform of products to help customer’s security operations across areas/categories beyond my experience/expertise, allowing me to stretch and grow my skills. The company is well known for having unique intelligence like Metasploit, as well as being placed #17 in the list of The Cybersecurity 500 by Cybersecurity Ventures. These things attracted me to work here.

What does the team in Japan look like, and what growth have you seen during your time here?

When I joined Rapid7 in January 2018, there were approximately 10+ employees in Japan. These people were primarily made up of Sales and Sales Engineering for products like Nexpose/InsightVM, AppSpider/InsightAppSec, and Metasploit Pro. As the team continues to change and grow, we are now at 20+ employees and hiring in Customer Success and Support so really broadening the skill sets in the region to better support our customers. As we continue to evolve and move towards a solution/platform provider to solve complex customer challenges, and support their security operations with broader products and managed services. Each individual has capabilities and talent as part of the team, which is a huge difference in terms of ‘types’.

What makes the culture at Rapid7 different from other tech and/or cybersecurity companies?

I believe transparency is a major differentiator. The leadership team in Rapid7 listens to each individual, and you have an opportunity to share your ideas and give feedback whether you are brand new or have been in your field for years.

What are the 3 biggest things you have learned during your time at Rapid7?

Here’re the 3 things that came up to my mind:
1. Be Proactive
2. Change is a Constant
3. Ask questions to turn the unknown into known

Being proactive means looking outside your immediate team to identify the right people, and gather the right information. Our team in Japan is relatively small, so it’s essential that we partner with other team members from different departments and locations in order to ensure we are anticipating potential challenges and getting the right people involved upfront.

For #2, almost everything can/will change, from our product roadmaps to the needs of our customer. As we anticipate change and embrace the opportunity to grow, it’s important to maintain customer’s expectations and see how Rapid7 can continue to be a strategic partner in maintaining their security solutions.

For #3, as a Solution Architect, I often have conversations with customers, and sometimes see they don’t even know what they need to improve their security posture. It’s important to unravel what they would need by asking questions to clarify their requirements. The same principle can be applied in case of security incidents. If you don’t have visibility (detections) for an incident, you wouldn’t be able to stop a breach. As a practitioner in Rapid7, I keep those

How would you describe your role at Rapid7?

My main role is Solution Architect (Security Solutions Engineer / Sales Engineer), but I’ve also been given the opportunity to learn new skills that are outside of my typical job description. In addition to my main role, I’ve been able to learn more about customer advisory, technical support and account management, and our professional services. Learning in these different areas has grown my confidence as a technical contributor, and provided me with some new insights into real world customer environments and security operations.

Describe your proudest moment working for Rapid7.

This is a really good question. I can’t pick one as there are so many moments in my memory. However, I am always proudest when I am able to solve especially complex or challenging problems customers are struggling with.

What advice would you give someone thinking about coming to work here?

If you enjoy challenging the status quo and solving interesting challenges, Rapid7 would be a great place to work. The company has a track record and history of supporting employees who have new ideas, so you’ll be supported to think creatively and craft your own vision as to how to support our customers and align to business goals.

If you’re interested in learning about open roles at Rapid7, visit our careers page.

7Rapid Questions: Growing From BDR to Commercial Sales Manager With Maria Loughrey

Post Syndicated from Rapid7 original https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/03/10/7rapid-questions-growing-from-bdr-to-commercial-sales-manager-with-maria-loughrey/

7Rapid Questions: Growing From BDR to Commercial Sales Manager With Maria Loughrey

Welcome back to 7Rapid Questions, our blog series where we hear about the great work happening at Rapid7 from the people who are doing it across our global offices. For this installment, we sat down with Maria Loughrey, Commercial Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland at our Reading, UK office.

7Rapid Questions: Growing From BDR to Commercial Sales Manager With Maria Loughrey
Maria Loughrey

What did you want to be when you grew up?

After a brief stint of wanting to go to America to study law at Harvard (thank you, “Legally Blonde”), I ended up studying psychology and wanted to become a forensic psychologist.

So, how did you end up in cybersecurity?

I was approached by a recruitment partner of Rapid7, which prompted me to research what cybersecurity was all about. I found that not only is it a super interesting topic, but people are really passionate about it. It was evident how much Rapid7 cared about their customers’ security and, in turn, how much customers respected them as a vendor. It took a bit of a leap of faith to step away from my career plan and start working for a company I knew very little about, but I’m so glad I did!

What has your career journey been like at Rapid7?

Since the aforementioned leap of faith, Rapid7 haven’t stopped putting their faith in me in return. I started in the business development team and then got promoted into a sales overlay role supporting the Account Executive team. I’ve been in sales ever since — starting with SMB customers, then mid-market accounts, and more recently covering the Enterprise market in the UK.

Last year, I became a team lead alongside my Enterprise AE role, and then at the beginning of this year, I was promoted into a management position to support the Commercial Sales team. The support and belief I have received from Rapid7 and my management team over the last 8 years have been truly humbling.

What has been your proudest moment?

It was bittersweet moving into a management position this year, as it meant not working directly with customers as much, but when I introduced new team members who would be stepping into my role, so many customers had such lovely things to say and let me know that I’d be missed. It’s amazing to hear that you’ve had such a positive impact.

What is a fun fact some people might not know about you?

I have a very mild form of Tourette syndrome, which causes people to have “tics.”

Which of Rapid7’s core values do you embody the most?

Bring You. This is SUCH a difficult question, but I chose Bring You because not only do I strive to be my most authentic self at work, but I also think it’s incredibly important for everyone to bring their own perspectives and style. Businesses thrive on diversity of mindset. Without this, creativity becomes stagnant and growth slows. So, Bring You.

What three words would you use to describe the culture at Rapid7?

Understanding, inclusive, genuine.

Want to join Maria and her team? We’re hiring! Browse our open roles at Rapid7 here.

Additional reading:

7Rapid Questions With Our APAC Sales Manager, Soumi

Post Syndicated from Rapid7 original https://blog.rapid7.com/2022/02/03/7rapid-questions-with-our-apac-sales-manager-soumi/

7Rapid Questions With Our APAC Sales Manager, Soumi

For this installment of 7Rapid Questions, we sat down with Soumi Mukherjee, APAC Sales Manager – ANZ North Sales, to learn more about what drives her in her role at Rapid7.

7Rapid Questions With Our APAC Sales Manager, Soumi

1. Why did you join Rapid7?

The truth is I joined for the people. I worked for a Rapid7 channel partner prior, and my interaction with the Rapid7 team back then gave me an impression of a company built on a culture of respect, trust, and high standards. I wanted to be a part of it!

2. Describe what your teams do in a few words?

We help customers achieve their cybersecurity goals by connecting them to the right products and solutions.

3. What can a candidate do to stand out in the interview process?

Be authentic, and bring your real self! If you’re asked to do a presentation round and you do your best pitch by whiteboarding and not slides, do what is best for you!

4. Which of our core values do you embody the most?

I am an obsessive learner, and I feel the spirit of “Never Done” speaks to me naturally. The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, so it’s important to continue learning and anticipating what’s next.

5. What is it that makes cybersecurity such an exciting field?

No boring day, in a nutshell! The evolving threat landscape means, to stay relevant, we have to keep innovating and improving. This aspect keeps me excited.

6. What three words would you use to describe the culture at Rapid7?

Accountability, collaboration, empathy.

7. What’s the best team activity you’ve done?

I miss the in-person team events and can’t wait to get back to them when we can. One of my favorites was a barista course. Our team even competed to see who could make the best latte art! It was an amazing event, and I even have a certificate!

Want to join Soumi and her team? We’re hiring! Browse our open roles at Rapid7 here.