Name: Marlou Siemerink

Job title: Senior Product Manager for Cyacomb Forensics

Q. How would you describe your role with Cyacomb?

As the Senior Product Manager for Cyacomb Forensics it’s my responsibility to make sure that we are providing the fastest, easiest to use, and thorough Digital Forensics Triage tools for our users. It’s an incredibly cross-functional role, which means that I spend a lot of time working with the different teams across Cyacomb, as well as our users, to create a clear picture of what we can do to improve our products and create and share the product vision to make sure we are all aligned and working towards the same goal.

Q. Tell us about your career journey that led you to Cyacomb

After finishing my degrees in Textile Engineering and Fashion Management, I decided to try my hand at Sales and soon after that I moved to Edinburgh and transitioned into the document solutions space. I then found myself working within the Dutch Sales team for a tech start-up based in Leith who went on to be acquired. This led to me side-stepping into Business Analysis for their CRM platform. Roles as a Product Manager and Senior Product Manager followed after a further acquisition. Working for a well-known global organisation was a great opportunity but I soon started to miss working for a small organisation where you can move much faster, which is when I came across Cyacomb.

Q. What attracted you to join Cyacomb?

Before I even spoke to anyone at Cyacomb I felt very strongly about the company mission. Working for an organisation that wants to harness Tech for Good was high on my wish list while I started looking for a new role.

It feels like all companies advertise their culture as being incredible these days, but Cyacomb was the first company where I could feel that this was genuinely the case from the first interaction I had.

Everyone I spoke to during my interview process was so mission driven and passionate about what Cyacomb is trying to achieve.

There is this overarching goal of keeping people from online harm, and everyone understands that the best way to be successful in achieving this is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, treats each other with respect, and collaboration is key.

Q. What aspects of your job and working for Cyacomb do you enjoy the most?

The best part of my job is the number of different people I interact with, getting to understand their ideas and challenges, and pulling it all together to make sure the product solves the biggest challenges for our users. You get to work on a never-ending puzzle, you learn something new every day, and no two days are the same, I absolutely love it.

It’s especially rewarding at Cyacomb, where the problems you’re solving make a real difference for people in a line of work that is crucial to keep others safe. On top of that, Cyacomb has created a team of extraordinary people, so I feel very fortunate to be a part of that!

Q. Do you have any goals or targets in mind for the future with Cyacomb?

Cyacomb Forensics is built on some incredible technology and is the fastest, simplest tool on the market. I look forward to expanding the “forensics toolbox” without impacting on those crucial foundations, to become the go-to tool out in the field. We are definitely not short on great ideas to get there.

Q. What advice would you give to anyone starting out in your line of work?

There is no one journey to becoming a product manager– I have met product managers who used to be teachers, scientists, engineers and restaurateurs. Focus on developing your soft skills, such as listening, communicating and problem-solving. You are surrounded by subject-matter experts, and the real value of a product manager is understanding all their inputs and tying it together into one vision that everyone understands and can buy into.

Q. If you could instantly have one new skill or talent, what would it be?

I’ve always dreamt of buying an old run-down building and making into a home, but I have two left hands, so some serious DIY and renovating skills would come in very handy.

Q. What do you like to do in your spare time away from work?

I took up running a couple of months ago and I’m also planning to join a new boxing gym here in Leith. To balance out those healthy habits, I love spending time with friends and family, ideally over a drink or some nice food. I also own an ever-increasing number of plants, and looking after them is a nice way to spend a Saturday morning.