Pierre Dickson

Pursue your dreams and passion, no matter who discourages you.

 

Pierre is a Cyber Security Professional, and retired police detective, who has worked in a variety of roles providing support to various government agencies within the Washington Metropolitan area, and his primary focus has been Information Systems Security. Some of the agencies Pierre has provided support for include Goddard Space Flight Center – NASA, Andrews Air Force Base, Veterans Administration, Department of Justice, and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

After a distinguished career with the Prince George’s County Police Department as a Detective, he soon began his Information Technology career at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD. Mr. Dickson also served as the first Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Prince George’s County Public Schools, the 16th largest school district in the country. While serving as the CISO, he was promoted to Director of Technology Support Services. Pierre’s most recent talents led him to Arnold and Porter LLP, a large international law firm based in Washington, DC.

When he is not on the computer, searching for the newest technologies within Cyber Security, he is riding one of his 4 road bicycles, the Raleigh Willard 2 being his favorite. This bike is like the Porsche Cayenne of gravel bikes. It’s fast, and it climbs like a Billy Goat. Pierre’s other hobbies include basketball, fishing, reading, and traveling.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

Ever since I was a child, I wanted to help my community. My career started as a police offer, and has evolved since then. Now, my consulting firm focuses on cyber security.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I work in the cyber security field…. I can’t discuss anymore than that unfortunately.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I typically think about an idea while meditating…and then I act upon it.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I love new technology that improves the condition of human beings and helps to save the planet.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Dedication and the ability bring others on board.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Save and invest more money. Pursue your dreams, not others. Travel more.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

How big the universe is, and that science is man-kinds best friend.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Pursue your dreams and passion, no matter who discourages you.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

A lot of CEOs and decision makers I work with don’t know a ton about cyber security. I always explain things in full, assuming my target audience doesn’t know the cyber security industry that well. Putting things into layman’s terms for complicated jobs really helps make the sale.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Engineers in my industry all claim they are the best at what they do. At first, it was hard for me to figure out a way to prove I was. But once I had case studies and positive referrals to back up my claims, then it became smooth sailing.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Read, read, read. Whatever excites you, pick up a book and read about it. Learn something new. The brain is just like your body and needs to be exercised.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

San Francisco CA day tour, which included a cruise of the bay and a night tour of Alcatraz. Spooky and fun.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Carbon Black endpoint protection….great tool for white-listing your applications.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

What I took from the book is that as humans we definitely will become emotional, but staying in one place and doing the same things doesn’t get you closer to your goals.

What is your favorite quote?

Excuses are the tools of the incompetent who build monuments of nothingness…

Key Learnings:

• By segmenting your day into blocks of time and working on tasks in order of importance without interruption, you’ll not only stay organized and refreshed, but you’ll also get more done.
• Before you move forward with an idea, get input from your team.
• Always strive to do what must be done. Don’t put off tasks or avoid them altogether just because they aren’t fun or don’t offer immediate gratification.
• Be aware of your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, as well as the words you use — these all reveal a lot about you. Be conscious of the message you’re conveying to the world.

Connect: