TheBridge profile: Ayan Islam

Name: Ayan Islam

Current city: Washington, DC

Current job: Associate Policy Director, Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats at R Street Institute

Past job: Critical Infrastructure Portfolio Lead, Vulnerability Management Mitigations Section at Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

Q. How are you currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? By serving as a bridge-builder between tech and policy communities, I work on issues (both state and national) that are complex yet may not be major headlines, and serve to provide practical responses to address current and recurring problems. Engagement and public policy research is key to both raising awareness and calling to action the need to close gaps in tech and policy for a better and safer world.

Q. Job advice in three words? Be strategic (understand that not all battles can be fought and you need to conserve your energy for critical moments; it's a marathon, don't burn out)

Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Policymaking requires context and collaboration. In order to achieve consensus or acquire sufficient support, there is a need to explain and account for the "What, Why, Who, and How" - What is this product/service? Why is it important? Who is the target audience? How does it work? Just as innovators provide responses in their investor pitch decks, policymakers provide similar answers when creating their pitches to colleagues and tax-paying constituents.

Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? The value of being "agile". In today's technology landscape, policymakers need to consider the bigger picture, be more responsive, and able to adapt to the fast-changing tech-dependent environments. Innovation is also applicable in the policy realm and should be considered if we are to have a more secure, advanced, technologically dependent world.

Q. Can you describe a skill you have carried throughout your career that has always proved to be valuable? Being a problem solver has been a constant in my career. As a result, thankfully my curiosity and interest in learning, coupled with my problem-solving skills helped with my multiple careers and career change.

Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? I don't have a favorite. :) I enjoy trying new places.

Q. Favorite podcast you would recommend to TheBridge Network? Currently listening to the "Hidden Brain" podcast and thoroughly enjoying it. I also recommend watching "Brené Brown: The Call to Courage".

Q. Every day is probably different, but are there certain skills you think are essential to your job? Listening and being curious. Listening is a key skill, so is asking follow-up questions or researching to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of both the issue at hand and other areas of knowledge that could be of help.

Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself at the beginning of your career? Believe in yourself more and keep working hard. You may not realize it now, but things will fall into place.

Q. Last time you were completely unplugged? Recently was unplugged at a women's wellness retreat in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I promised myself I will take better care of myself moving forward.

Q. If you had to live in another city, which would it be? Originally I thought London, but now it's Paris. I went for the first time a few years ago and fell in love. With more travel in my future, my answer may change.

Q. How often do you work from home? A lot more as a result of the pandemic. Having the balanced option has helped increase my productivity and make engagements more meaningful. It also decreased the number of "meetings for the sake of meeting", which I wholeheartedly appreciate.

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