Culture is an organization's DNA and may be the most overlooked factor in evaluating a job offer or in researching new opportunities. Does an organization's actual culture align with what it purports to be? Is it an environment where you’ll be engaged, valued, rewarded, and where you can thrive? For those new to the field, this talk will shed light on the often-overlooked aspect of corporate culture when evaluating potential partners, vendors, or employers.

Before signing a contract, it is essential to take a critical look of the organization you're considering aligning with. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools offer a powerful and readily available means to assess and evaluate this intangible yet vital component of any professional relationship.

This presentation will explore:
• What is Corporate Culture? - We will define corporate culture and its significance in business relationships and decision-making. We will discuss how it influences a company's values, ethics, goals, and more.
• Why Assess Corporate Culture? - Discover why understanding a company's culture is not just a "nice to have" but a critical aspect of making informed choices. We will emphasize how a poor cultural fit can lead to stress, frustration, and worse.
• Leveraging OSINT Tools - Learn about the open-source information-gathering tools and techniques available for assessing corporate culture. This includes examining publicly available data, social media presence, employee reviews, and more.
• Questions You Should Be Asking- We will discuss the questions that should be part of your standard prep and initial call to understand better and validate your findings, help you dive deeper, and demonstrate that you’ve done your homework.
• Conclusion and Next Steps - We'll wrap up by discussing the long-term benefits of integrating corporate culture assessments into your decision-making process and how this can contribute to personal and professional growth.

This talk is tailored for individuals new to information security but is equally relevant for anyone involved in changing organizations, job roles, career advancement, or evaluating new opportunities. By the end of this presentation, attendees will have a clear understanding of why assessing corporate culture is crucial, along with practical knowledge of how to effectively use OSINT tools to make informed choices when considering any professional relationship.

SANS New2Cyber Summit 2024
Unmasking Organizational Culture: Harnessing OSINT for Better Informed Career Decisions
George Sandford, Founder, Ok2Ask4Help

View upcoming Summits: http://www.sans.org/u/DuS