The power of mentorship is a well-known secret weapon to boost both career development and talent retention within organizations. The knowledge shared and long-lasting connections built within these mentor-mentee relationships is crucial for growth within all industries, not just in security.

For example, a recent report by ISACA analyzed the concerns of IT professionals and showed 19% cited a lack of mentors as one of the biggest career obstacles. In the report, 83% of respondents noted that mentors are important. While 63% said they would like to have a mentor, only 22% have one. The survey also found that women are more likely to have a mentor, want a mentor and recognize the importance of mentors — but men are more likely to be mentors.

Over the years, we at Security magazine have had countless conversations with security leaders and over-and-over the important role that mentorship plays is brought up. Here are some of the highlights from recent interviews:

In addition to her role as Vice President of Security at BASF, Julia Vincke serves as a member of the board for the International Security Management Association (ISMA).

“Being part of ISMA is an honor and a great source of inspiration,” Vincke said. “It’s a unique forum where security leaders from different industries share knowledge, challenge each other and work collectively to raise the standard of global security. I joined because I believe in the power of collaboration and mentorship. As a board member, I’m particularly committed to strengthening diversity in our field and ensuring that rising talents — especially women — have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.”

Brian Harrell, Vice President and Chief Security Officer at FirstEnergy, often speaks on the importance of mentorship within the industry and developing skills for fellow security professionals. Throughout his career, he has turned to seasoned professionals to utilize their wisdom and insights.

“First, ask, ‘where do I want to be in 10 years’ or ‘what role do I want in 20 years?’ Then, along with some backwards planning, we identify key players in the field and engage,” he says. “You’re not looking to dominate their time or have them write you a career script, but you’re hoping to pick up on mannerisms and little nuggets of wisdom. Don’t have one mentor, have many you look up to and start building a playbook.”

Bobby Ford, Chief Strategy & Experience Officer at Doppel, says a significant part of his community building includes his work as a mentor. A priority of his since entering a leadership position has been to pass down his knowledge and help others.

“Mentoring the next generation of security leaders has been a defining project in my career,” he said. “Over time, I’ve transitioned from being the person running the operations to being the person helping shape strategy, culture, and direction, and that shift has given me more room to invest in others, amplify their impact, and make sure the ladder behind me is stronger than the one I climbed.”

Michael Lashlee, Chief Security Officer at Mastercard, says not to underestimate the value of mentorship and networking. Mentorship plays a critical role in shaping a successful security career, Lashlee credits his professional growth and career to the incredible leaders that he’s been fortunate to work with.

“Observing and learning from these inspirational leaders has shaped who I am today,” he says. “I’m where I am today because I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I strongly believe in paying it forward. A good mentor listens, provides honest feedback, and helps you see opportunities beyond your current path. In security, mentorship is especially vital because so much of the profession is shaped by experience, judgment and context. Mentorship accelerates development, fosters resilience, and builds a strong culture of trust. A good mentor doesn’t have all the answers — they help others find their own.”