ISC2 Volunteer Spotlight: Honoring BUiLT’s Founder, Peter Beasley During Black History Month

nEvery February, citizens across the country recognize the contributionsnof Black Americans who have impacted the advancement of the UnitednStates in areas such as politics, education, and technology. 

n

In celebration of Black History Month, we are spotlighting one of ournvolunteers, Peter Beasley, and his amazing work to diversify the cybernprofession. Beasley is the co-founder and executive director of BlacksnUnited in Leading Technology International, Inc. (BUiLT), a nonprofitnorganization that advocates for the inclusion and advancement of Blackntechnologists globally.

n

Beasley began his career in the industry in 1985 when he transitionednfrom being an electrical engineer to managing information systems. Henentered this role when the personal computing industry was in itsninfancy, well before the Internet and cell phones. Back then, he led a technical support group fornnMobil Explorationnnin Dallas, Texas where he was responsible for the personal computing securitynof the entire corporate division and their first-ever distributed computernnetwork using the Novell operating system.

n

As a technology professional, he continued to advance his career bynleading large corporate technology departments including those at Excel Telecommunications, First Horizion Home Loans, and First American Real Estate  He eventually foundednand led his own enterprise software company from 2003 to 2019 andnfounded and led international nonprofits since 2020.

n

Beasley says he believes information security is baked into hisnprofessional core, and he understands the requirement for informationnsecurity to exist in all that technology professionals do in theirncareers. As a partner with ISC2, BUiLT plays a vital role in providingndiverse perspectives to protect the cyber world and improve racialnequity in the industry.

n

“I envision that ISC2 and BUiLT will continue their official annualnpartnerships, holding joint events, promoting each other’s goals,nand developing tools for Black people to thrive in cybersecurity fornyears to come,” Beasley said. “With BUiLT being focused on Blacknpeople, and with ISC2 being larger and firmly established,ncollaborations that help BUiLT thrive [media spotlights, nationalnspeaking opportunities, introduction to potential BUiLT boardncandidates, introduction to sponsors] will specifically help withnICS2’s goal in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

n

nn n

n n

 

n

Beasley believes it’s important to highlight diversity in the cybernprofession during and beyond Black History Month because Blacknhistory thrives daily through the accomplishments of Black people,nwhich “should be praised and recognized for more than one day or fornjust a month.” In his lifetime–especially over the last 15 years–hensays there’s been significant progress in the United States innovercoming its racist past. Beasley says this month signifies hopentoward overcoming life’s daily obstacles that still exist for Blacknpeople like himself. That’s why he acknowledges the impact of ISC2nand BUiLT’s collaborative efforts regarding diversity, equity, andninclusion.

n

Currently, BUiLT is in its sixth four-week cohort to help Blacknpeople earn their Certified in Cybersecurity certificate. Tens ofnBUiLT’s members have gotten certified through ISC2 and BUiLT’s jointnefforts. The organizations are also finalizing their fifth toolkitnhighlighting how to navigate cybersecurity industry bias. Thisntoolkit, along with the others, is downloaded by BUiLT members andnthe public to develop techniques for Black people to join and thrivenin cybersecurity.

n

The work Beasley and his team do at BUiLT requires long hours andninvolves the contributions of so many volunteers. Beasley recognizesnthe enormous value of volunteerism and partnerships and encouragesnboth younger and older Black professionals to seek out suchnconnections. “Volunteering with organizations like ISC2 and BUiLTnplaces volunteers in the “center of the conversation.” If you arenseeking employment in cyber, volunteering in leadership callsnattention to yourself and highlights your skills. Naturally,npotential employers notice you.”

n

To learn more about BUiLT, visitnnherenn.

]]>