In the Spotlight profile series: Gina Qu

In the first edition of our In the Spotlight profile series, hear from Gina Qu, Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager based in Canada.

In this Q&A, Gina expresses her enduring passion for cybersecurity, the challenges and opportunities she encounters with an expanding SOC team and platform and her unique insights on C8 Secure’s evolving SOC journey.

Hello Gina, could you please provide us with an overview of your background and your responsibilities as a Security Operations Center Manager at Continent 8 Technologies and C8 Secure?

Absolutely! I joined Continent 8 in 2018 as a system administrator, which is now part of the Cloud Operations Team, and in 2022, I became part of the Security Operations (SecOps) team – established by our beloved colleague Marcel Balan – upon returning from maternity leave.

This dedicated team supports managed SOC solutions for both Continent 8 and C8 Secure customers.

I started my journey as a SOC Manager in 2024. In my role as SOC Manager, I am primarily responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the SOC, which serves as the central hub for monitoring, detecting, analyzing and responding to security incidents.

What led you to pursue a career as a Security Operations Center Manager?

I have always been passionate about cybersecurity, and I made it clear upon joining the company that I would be eager to become part of the security department if it were ever established. During my tenure as a Cloud Engineer, I was involved in security-related projects and tasks. However, for a career as a SOC manager, I think I did not choose it, it chose me. Our Managing Partner, Patrick Gardner, and other senior colleagues, encouraged me to take on this role. It has been a challenging yet rewarding journey.

What inspired you to join the SOC team, and what aspects of your job do you find most fulfilling?

Fifteen years ago, I came to Canada to pursue a master’s degree in information security. I have always sought to establish myself in this field. Joining the security team was a natural progression for me, as it aligns with my interests in problem-solving, critical thinking and staying ahead of rapidly evolving technology. The dynamic nature of the work is what I find most fulfilling. Each day presents new challenges, and I am constantly learning. Leading a team on the front lines of defense is rewarding, as we can see our efforts making a real-world impact.

Can you describe some of the challenges you encounter in your role? How do you also ensure you remain informed about the latest developments in security and cybersecurity?

As we expand our SOC team to support the increasing number of global customers, my biggest challenge at the moment is to clearly define roles and responsibilities while fostering a cohesive team culture. This is crucial as we aim to support employees in their SOC and cybersecurity initiatives from the outset, given the 24/7 nature of our environment.

Staying current in cybersecurity is vital. I stay up to date through a variety of sources. I regularly follow reputable industry publications such as The Hackers News and MITRE ATT&CK. Additionally, I subscribe to specialized newsletters such as tl;dr sec and engage with peer communities on platforms, including LinkedIn and Discord. Furthermore, I attend conferences and webinars, including NSEC and BSides, among others.

Can you provide insights into some of the new initiatives you are currently working on?

We are consistently focused on enhancing our managed SOC toolsets and expanding our automation capabilities in daily monitoring, detection and response activities. Moreover, we continuously refine SOC performance through data-driven improvements to provide the best managed SOC support possible.

Any final thoughts? 

I am always appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with the dedicated and talented individuals at both C8 Secure and Continent 8 since the day I joined. I also value the opportunity to be part of this SOC journey. Being involved in our SOC entails constant learning and adaptation, which I genuinely enjoy. I am excited about the path we are on and look forward to contributing to even more impactful initiatives. Thank you for allowing me and the team to share a bit about what we do.

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