Gourav Nagar is Senior Manager of Security Operations at BILL. He is responsible for building a world-class security operations team and leads three dynamic units: Security Operations, Offensive Security, and Security Engineering. Gourav brings a wealth of experience and a strategic approach to managing complex security challenges. Prior to joining BILL, Gourav held leadership security positions at Uber, Apple, and EY. In this interview, Gourav shares his insights and practical tips on managing diverse security teams, fostering trust, and promoting continuous learning and development.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about your background and how you transitioned into a cybersecurity management role?
Gourav Nagar: Long before I was a cybersecurity manager, I was an individual contributor. I made many mental notes for myself about what I liked and saw that worked well for teams to gel and thrive. I also experienced, lived through, and survived tougher situations where a manager was not understanding his or her team 100% and, thus, could not inspire them or rise above day-to-day challenges. In the years since I transitioned into being a people manager, I’ve been able to put into practice the lessons that I gathered. Building a diverse security team has been very thrilling and fulfilling for me.
Interviewer: What are the key steps you recommend for building a diverse security team?
Gourav Nagar: There are a few key steps I’ve found effective:
Hire for Diversity and Quickly Align on Team Culture and Processes. Even before a job requirement is written, managers must reach out and develop their networks in innovative ways. I make it a habit to check out different posts and people on LinkedIn and join other platforms for connecting with security professionals around the world. Once the team starts working together, it’s critical to create a common language and a set of expectations and processes. This way, the team can work toward a common goal quickly and avoid miscommunications.
Create Trust for Every Single Person on the Team. We have to accept that working in security is often very stressful and demanding. Managers play an important role in helping to create trust and openness for every single person on the team. This can be achieved by meeting regularly with team members in group settings and one-on-one meetings, sharing context and knowledge openly, and updating the team during times of change.
Help Your Team Members Build a Career in Cybersecurity and Stay Excited with Innovation. While it’s up to each of us to take ownership of our own careers, managers should remind and encourage team members to actively learn and pursue roles that will keep them excited. Embracing innovation helps them grow and stay motivated. Ensure that each individual has respect, ownership, and accountability. These are essential for building confidence and giving everyone the space to try new things.
Interviewer: How do you create a culture of trust within your team?
Gourav Nagar: Creating trust involves regular communication and openness. I meet regularly with team members both in group settings and one-on-one. During these meetings, I model sharing context and knowledge openly. When a change is happening, I update the team and share what I know about why it’s happening and the desired outcome. Sharing feedback from other organizations and leaders about the team’s impact is also important. It helps the team see the bigger picture and celebrate their wins.
Interviewer: What strategies do you use to help your team members build their careers and stay motivated?
Gourav Nagar: I believe in growing leaders within organizations. For team members who enjoy mentoring and managing others, I provide opportunities and experiences for them to try their hand at managing. Once they take a few steps toward their goal, I guide them and share insights on what has worked well for me and the teams I have managed. Encouraging team members to actively learn, pursue new roles, and embrace innovation keeps them motivated and helps them grow in their careers.
Interviewer: What advice do you have for managers of larger teams going through rapid growth and change?
Gourav Nagar: The guidelines I’ve shared work well for new and small teams, but they are essential for larger teams going through rapid growth and change. Managers should focus on hiring for diversity, aligning on team culture and processes, creating trust, and helping team members build their careers. By doing so, they can help their teams navigate growth and change more effectively.
Interviewer: How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within your diverse team?
Gourav Nagar: Conflicts and disagreements are natural in any team, especially in a diverse one. I handle them by fostering an open environment where team members feel comfortable voicing their concerns. When a conflict arises, I encourage a direct and respectful dialogue between the parties involved. It’s important to listen to all sides and work towards a solution that respects everyone’s perspectives. Sometimes, it might involve mediation or even bringing in an external facilitator to help navigate more complex issues.
Interviewer: Can you share an example of a time when diversity significantly benefited your team’s performance?
Gourav Nagar: Absolutely. There was a time when we were facing a complex security challenge that required a fresh perspective. Thanks to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our team members, we were able to approach the problem from multiple angles. One team member’s unique approach, influenced by their background in a different industry, led us to a breakthrough solution that we wouldn’t have considered otherwise. This experience reinforced the value of having a diverse team and how it can drive innovation and effective problem-solving.
Interviewer: What measures do you take to ensure continuous learning and development within your team?
Gourav Nagar: Continuous learning is crucial in cybersecurity due to the rapidly evolving threat landscape. I ensure that my team has access to the latest training and certifications. We also hold regular knowledge-sharing sessions where team members can present on new technologies or recent experiences. Encouraging attendance at industry conferences and webinars is another way we stay updated. Additionally, I support cross-training within the team to build a well-rounded skill set and promote a culture of learning and growth.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your insights on managing diverse security teams. Do you have any final thoughts?
Gourav Nagar: I hope other managers can try some of these tips and share what has worked well for their teams with others in their network. Together, we are upleveling what it means to be a cybersecurity professional that is part of amazing, diverse teams.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time and valuable insights. It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics with you.
Gourav Nagar: Thank you. It’s been great sharing my experiences. I hope these insights help others in building and managing effective, diverse security teams.
From the editor…
In this insightful interview, Gourav Nagar provides valuable strategies for building and managing diverse security teams. His emphasis on hiring for diversity, creating trust, and promoting continuous learning highlights the importance of a cohesive and innovative team in tackling complex security challenges. By fostering an environment of openness and respect, Gourav demonstrates how managers can effectively lead their teams through growth and change. His experiences and practical tips serve as a guide for other security professionals aiming to build world-class, diverse teams.
You can connect with Gourav Nagar at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gouravnagar/
