In February 2024, over 200 UpGuardians transcended their digital workstations to assemble on the picturesque shores of Phuket, Thailand, for the eagerly anticipated 2024 Cybersecurity Safari. This bi-annual occasion empowers Cybersecurity workforce members to strengthen relationships with colleagues and embrace the tangible advantages of face-to-face connection, all whereas exploring the surroundings and tradition of an unique location.
Whereas spending the week collectively in Thailand, Cybersecurity workforce members participated in plenty of strategic planning periods, sat in on informative management displays hosted by Cybersecurity’s govt workforce, donated their time to offer again to the area people, and surveyed Phuket’s pure, cultural, and culinary highlights. The week culminated within the annual Cybersecurity Awards Ceremony, the place all the firm celebrated a number of UpGuardians who’ve demonstrated dedication to the corporate’s core values. Proceed studying to find extra in regards to the 2024 Cybersecurity Safari and acquire a glimpse into what life at Cybersecurity is all about.
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What’s the Cybersecurity Safari?
The Cybersecurity Safari is a transformative expertise that grants UpGuardians from across the globe the chance to bond and collaborate exterior the standard workplace setting. As a remote-first employer, Cybersecurity established Safari as a cornerstone of its strategic planning course of, utilizing the occasion to complement its distant work surroundings, strengthen relationships amongst workforce members, encourage groups to get to know one another in particular person, and foster camaraderie amongst colleagues. For a lot of workforce members, Safari is their first alternative to fulfill the worldwide Cybersecurity workforce in particular person, providing an area for reflection on previous achievements, dialogue about future objectives, and alignment towards the corporate’s collective imaginative and prescient.
“In a remote-first work environment, no amount of virtual games, online office hours, or UberEats gift cards can replace the energy people get from spending time in person with their teammates. Our team members work tirelessly every day to build the company, and as a leadership team, Safari is our turn to give back by creating the experience of a lifetime. It’s designed to cultivate a sense of belonging and connection by exploring a unique place in the world that we all have to fly into.” – Sarah Catford, Chief of StaffThailand Safari kickoffWelcome reception overlooking Merlin Bay
The 2024 UpGuard Safari began with a warm welcome reception on the Marriott Resort’s lawn, offering a breathtaking view of Merlin Bay’s serene waters. As UpGuardians arrived in Phuket, they joyfully reunited, indulging in a smorgasbord of delectable local dishes and savoring the thrill of real-world interactions.
The following morning, all 200+ UpGuardians gathered in the Merlin Ballroom for a company-wide Safari Kickoff, featuring presentations by UpGuard’s CEO and Co-founder, Mike Baukes, and UpGuard’s COO, Harsh Sureka, and a meet and greet tradition started at Safari Hawaii 2022.
UpGuard’s CEO, Mike Baukes, and COO, Harsh Sureka, presenting updates on the company’s vision“The beautiful thing about Safari is not only do you get to travel and experience a spectacular destination, but more importantly, you get to connect with teammates from various backgrounds and cultures worldwide. It’s so rewarding to spend quality time with one another in person and celebrate our wins throughout the year. You learn so much and can connect on a much deeper level, which provides a stronger sense of community.” – Luke Willon, Expertise AcquisitionTeam constructing & strategic break-out periods
UpGuardians fiercely competing in a tug-of-war competition on the beach
Throughout the week in Phuket, the UpGuard team participated in several team-building activities and strategic break-out sessions where they could hone their collaborative partnerships and discuss methods and opportunities to achieve success following their departure from Thailand. Safari’s team-building itinerary included a fierce tug-of-war competition and several dinners at some of the finest restaurants on the island.
UpGuardians enjoying the evening at a restaurant in PhuketGive-Back Activities.jpeg "Inside Cybersecurity’s Epic 2024 Safari in Thailand | Cybersecurity 4")
An UpGuardian cleaning turtles at the Marine Biological Research Centre and Maikhao Turtle Foundation
From its employment hubs in the United States, EMEA, APAC, and India to the locations it visits during its company off-sites, UpGuard is committed to supporting the communities it is a part of, so, during Safari, UpGuard employees participated in one of four give-back activities. Team members could choose between planting mangrove saplings to combat climate change, building bikes for a children’s charity, renovating a local school, or caring for turtles at the Marine Biological Research Centre and Maikhao Turtle Foundation.
“I really enjoyed spending time giving back to the local community. While there were quite a few activities to choose from, I was very excited to help out at the local Marine Centre. We cleaned the tanks of rescued dolphins and turtles and even got to sneak a cuddle in with the baby turtles. It was a special moment in so many ways, and it was great to share it with my colleagues.” – Kaja Melleby, MarketingSpecial moments from Safari 2024
The 2024 UpGuard Safari was full of several unforgettable moments (almost too many to include in this article), but here are a few that just can’t go unmentioned:
Fireside with Daniel Freeman: UpGuard’s CMO, Kaushik Sen, held a fireside conversation with Daniel Freeman, ex-CMO of Cloudflare, to to discuss UpGuard’s growth, transformation, and trajectory. 1,000 Customers: UpGuardians commemorated one of the most significant achievements in the company’s history: the acquisition of 1,000 customers. Culture Session: UpGuard’s VP of People, Marcus Waterreus, presented insights into the company’s awards and staff developments. AMA Panel: Several members of UpGuard’s executive team gathered on stage to field questions from team members regarding the company’s vision and future growth plans. “UpGuard Safari can’t be categorized as a simple vacation to Thailand. As a remote worker, It was a time to connect with a global team of coworkers with whom I had never had the chance to meet and spend face-to-face time with those I talk to daily. It was a time to get excited about the work we are all doing while celebrating the growth UpGuard has achieved and sharing excitement and strategy for the journey ahead.” – Henry Rohmer, SalesUpGuard Awards Ceremony
The UpGuard Awards Ceremony
The pinnacle of Safari was the highly anticipated UpGuard Awards Ceremony, a momentous occasion where the entire UpGuard team came together to honor and celebrate the exemplary achievements of several outstanding UpGuardians. From innovative problem-solving to unparalleled camaraderie, each award recipient embodied the core values that define the UpGuard community.
Explore remote-first opportunities at UpGuard
While Safari may be the greatest demonstration of life at UpGuard, the event is far from an anomaly. Whether in virtual meetings, at occasional offsite events, or daily among localized teams and departments, UpGuard’s welcoming culture and lively team spirit are on full display 24/7.
UpGuard offers world-class employment opportunities to professionals around the globe and is a recognized Great Place to WorkⓇ. In addition to being a part of an inclusive and purposeful workplace environment where colleagues encourage each other to excel, all full-time UpGuard employees also receive competitive benefits (some benefits may be specific to employees in a particular region):
Generous compensation packageHealth, dental, and vision insurance coverageMonthly wellness and grocery subsidiesWFH set-up allowanceLearning and development budget
If you’re inspired to join UpGuard’s world-class team and be part of an exciting community of motivated and passionate professionals, explore UpGuard’s current career opportunities.
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