Rebecca Norlander: Security and Success at Microsoft

Posted By: Charles | Jan 10th, 2006 @ 5:55 PM

Hackers aren’t the only people who think about holes in security. Get to know Rebecca Norlander, the general manager of system protection technologies as she talks about the group she leads who work on the firewall, security components, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware technologies and security incubation. Rebecca started as a developer and is now a GM; hear her story about the last 14 years at Microsoft and why she loves working here. You guessed it; this is another episode of our sizzling new series, WM_IN.

Tags: MS Execs, MS Personalities, Rebecca Norlander, Security

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Manip

Why does every C9 video with a female employee in it turn into a pro women debate? I can't, off the top of my head, think of a video in which women have been treated like their male counterparts that you interview.

When was the last time we had a C9 video with a male employee talking about getting more men into Microsoft? We haven't. And as that's the case then why can't we have a video with a women in where she just discusses her project, the project's future and what that means to customers?

Don't misunderstand me, I have nothing against getting women into IT and or Microsoft's position. But come on, if you do a search in the video forum for "women" "female" "she" you'd be hard pushed to find a video NOT about this very subject.

Charles
Welcome Change

Uhm, this is part of the WM_IN show. Go read about it, Manip. Then perhaps you'll gain some understanding of why were doing this. If you watch the videos in this series, you will notice that we always talk about what project they are working on, etc.

We don't have enough women working in this company or this industry and Channel 9 wants to do what we can to help change this. It should be immediately obvious why we wouldn't ask men working at MS how to get more men to work at MS...

C

AdityaG
OMG VISTA FTW LOLZ!!1one

How about a WM_IN video where the subject does the demos and talks about Vista, O12 or Going Deep stuff... eh? eh? Tongue Out

Back on topic, I like watching these videos. More women in the field is a good thing for us men too. Not in the silly "oooh.. more women to date" way, but I feel that if we make computer science not so men-dominated, people will slowly go away from the "nerdy geek CS guy who cant do anything else in life" stereotype.

I did miss scoble's laugh though. Maybe charles should emulate him just for kicks Big Smile

I have sometimes imagined scoble acting like charles and charles acting like scoble. It's kind of fun Tongue Out

(yes, I was very bored waiting for hl2 to compile on a not so beefy machine).

Zeo
Channel 9 :)

Charles.... I completely understand where your coming from and you have a valid point. However, the C9 videos of late have been dominated by the WM_IN series(or atleast the conversations about getting more women into the tech field).....at least it feels that way.

It seems that the amount of WM_IN videos are becoming the main focus on the site.

Frankly, I want more Going Deep Videos, more Vista Videos, More O12 videos.

I don't care if the videos are of women employees talking about the deep technical details....in fact I'd love to see really technical women be highlighted....not the PM, GM, marketing, legal, or HR women employees....but the real hardcore SDET, SD, and DL women employees.

Make the WM_IN focused videos be released like once a month.

I could understand if C9 was a website dominated by women hence the need to cater to that audience....but as I've asked over the last few months in the coffeehouse forum for women members to identify themselves....none have responded.

Sadly Channel 9 is primary visted by men, and by constantly releasing WM_In videos....I fear that Channel 9 may be alienating its core audience.

Thanks for listening.

rjdohnert
You will never know success until you know failure

I like the female videos. Its nice to see women that its possible to have a decent conversation with minus the skull wrenching migraines. I hired a female a few months ago for IT and she has done a phenomenal job.

Charles
Welcome Change

Zeo,

Thanks for the feedback. This is only the 8th WM_IN episode we have released. I'm not sure I see how this equates to alienating viewers who prefer the more technical content.

We are experimenting with how we conduct WM_IN interviews, so you will see more variety, but the core issues will continue to be addressed.

Plenty more Going Deep on the horizon (and LOTS of Vista). More WM_IN coming too!

C

Charles,
Can you also consider publishing transcripts for all videos ?
It's pretty much easier to read instead of listen for some people.

rjdohnert
You will never know success until you know failure

Are there any women who work on the Windows Kernel that we will be hearing from?

Charles wrote:
Zeo,

Thanks for the feedback. This is only the 8th WM_IN episode we have released. I'm not sure I see how this equates to alienating viewers who prefer the more technical content.

We are experimenting with how we conduct WM_IN interviews, so you will see more variety, but the core issues will continue to be addressed.

Plenty more Going Deep on the horizon (and LOTS of Vista). More WM_IN coming too!

C

Charles
Welcome Change

rjdohnert wrote:

Are there any women who work on the Windows Kernel that we will be hearing from?

Charles wrote: Zeo,

Thanks for the feedback. This is only the 8th WM_IN episode we have released. I'm not sure I see how this equates to alienating viewers who prefer the more technical content.

We are experimenting with how we conduct WM_IN interviews, so you will see more variety, but the core issues will continue to be addressed.

Plenty more Going Deep on the horizon (and LOTS of Vista). More WM_IN coming too!

C

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