From Marketing in Vietnam, to IT in Norway - Nina Pham's journey into tech

Published
1/11/2022
Nina Pham, former Marketing Account and Project Manager for huge, global brands, has now taken the leap into the IT world - specifically to EMP Secure. We had a chat with her about the transition to everyday Norwegian IT and what she thinks the tech industry should do to get more women on the team.

Nina, tell us a little bit about yourself - you recently moved home to Karmøy from Vietnam?

- That’s right! I spent seven years in South-East Asia where I both studied and worked. I studied International Marketing and have worked as an Account Manager and Project Manager for both global and local brands such as Dove, Vaseline, Tinder and many more. Eventually I wanted to get closer to the Scandinavian market, so I started as Project Manager in a Danish outsourcing company within graphic production for Norwegian, Danish and Swedish customers.
 

What was it about Vietnam that made you stay so long?

 - Vietnam has one of the world's fastest growing economies, which is hugely exciting. Additionally, I have roots from there. Since I speak the language fluently, it was also a great advantage for customers that I could help them overcome communication barriers and optimize collaboration across departments, so there were many opportunities for me there.


Then you moved back to Norway and became part of EMP Secure - why did you take that step?

- After almost seven years out of Scandinavia, I felt that I was ready to try something new. Having the opportunity to work with technology was what piqued my interest. EMP Secure is an incredibly exciting, growing company. I am very future-oriented and like to be part of growth and development, so it was a perfect fit.

When I moved, I wanted to surprise my friends and my family, so the decision was made in secret. Suddenly I was back home on Karmøy!


What will be your areas of responsibility in EMP and what is your contribution?

- In the role of Project Manager, I have full responsibility for the management of interdisciplinary teams, as well as third-party suppliers. The focus is on carrying out projects in accordance with the company's processes, which are laid as a basis to ensure top delivery. For me, it's about understanding the customer's needs and using the expertise we have internally to help them make their work more efficient and achieve their goals. ‍

What do you see as challenging for customers today, in terms of their digital growth?

- In an ever-growing world of technology, there is both excitement and challenges for companies. In a world where 'data is gold', together with innovative solutions to optimize everyday work, the threats surrounding cyber-attacks are also increasing. That is why it is important to be upfront and always keep up to date, so that you are prepared for the threats that are out there. EMP Secure has paid particular attention to this, ensuring that we can offer secure and forward-looking solutions to our customers.


It's sad to say, but you are part of the minority in IT - what is it like to work in such a male-dominated industry?

- It's no secret that the number of women in this industry is low. I’m the only woman in our project department, and in most of the meetings there are practically only men. Despite this, I don't feel 'small' or scared. I think that’s because I work in a company, as well as with clients, who look at abilities, competence and attitude - where gender is indifferent. On the contrary, I think my colleagues and clients appreciate working with strong women.


How can the industry attract more women?

- I think that women in IT should promote themselves and communicate what ‘IT’ is, in order to inspire and promote diversity in the industry. There is absolutely no reason why women should be underrepresented in the IT industry; an area that is becoming increasingly important where we need more strong talent. I hope I can help spread interest in IT among women.

There is absolutely a need for more women in the tech industry, and getting more female talent only gives the industry more legs to stand on. If we want a world that works for everyone, everyone has to help create it.

What would you say to young girls who are considering getting an education in, and working with, tech?

- There are no limits to how many different and exciting things you can work with in the tech world. It’s creative, exciting, logical, important, challenging and, not least, meaningful. Personally, I come from a completely different field, which just proves that technology is more than just 'data stuff' and coding - it's primarily about creativity, problem solving and helping people. Something I think we all have within ourselves.

Protect your
business today.

Microsoft will implement two price increases in the near future, in addition to a change in the licensing model for cloud services. The changes apply globally and will thus affect everyone who uses Microsoft's services.

On a general basis, EMP Secure will recommend our customers to consider a binding of seat-based licenses so that the announced price increase is postponed for up to 12 months.

Details of the changes can be found below.

Price increase on Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) licenses

SPLA is a licensing program that enables service providers (such as EMP Secure) to license Microsoft products to their customers. We are talking here about all licenses that are used as part of the services EMP Secure delivers from its own infrastructure / cloud solution.

Microsoft announces 5-10% price increase on SPLA licenses from January 1, 2022. The changes apply globally, include academic use and apply to the following licenses: 

Product family
Price increase
Win Rmt Dsktp Svcs SAL
10%
Windows Rights Mgmt Services CAL
10%
Windows Server DC Core 
10%
Windows Server STD CORE
10%
Core Infrastructure Svr Ste DC Core
7%
Core Infra Svr Ste Std Core 
5%
Office Professional Plus
10%
Office Standard
10%
Office Multi Language Pack 
10%
Project Professional
10%
Project Server
10%
Project Standard
10%
Visio Professional
10%
Visio Standard
10%
Visual Studio Enterprise
10%
Visual Studio Professional
10%
Visual Studio Test Professional
10%

Price increase on Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) licenses

CSP is a licensing program that enables partners (such as EMP Secure) to deliver Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Office 365 services to their customers. We are talking here about all licenses used as part of the services EMP Secure provides from Microsoft's infrastructure / cloud solution.

Microsoft announces price increase for Microsoft 365 and Office 365 from March 1, 2022. These changes apply to the following products: 

Product family
Price increase
Microsoft 365 Business Basic
20%
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
10%
Office 365 E1
25%
Office 365 E3
8,6%
Microsoft 365 E3
12,5%

Changing the licensing model for cloud services from Microsoft

All seat-based products and services that until today have been covered by the CSP program will now instead be included in Microsoft's new program called New Commerce Experience (NCE).

In practice, this means several significant changes in price and flexibility for both EMP Secure as a partner and for end customers of these products.

The program mainly consists of 3 options for licensing where each customer must decide which option, or combination of options, will work best for them.

EMP Secure will be able to give good advice here so that together we arrive at the optimal solution for your particular company.

+
Option A - Monthly subscription
+
Option B - 12-month subscription
+
Option C - 36-month subscription
+
Combination of alternatives A, B and C

Schedule for transition CSP to NCE

January 1, 2022

From this date, customers can choose to change their subscription from CSP to NCE. If you then choose to change to NCE alternative B (12-month binding), you in practice postpone Microsoft's announced price increase which takes place from 1 March 2022 until the binding on NCE has expired. 

March 1, 2022

On this date, one of two things will happen:
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If you choose not to change subscription…
You have not actively considered options for NCE.

Your existing agreements on CSP will be subject to the announced price increase effective from March 1, 2022. All new licenses you need after this date must be purchased through the NCE program.
+
If you choose to change the subscription…
In the period 1 January - 28 February, you have chosen to switch from CSP to NCE alternative A or B.

You then relate to agreements entered into as described above.

After March 1, 2022

Option C is made available.

Should there be any questions, please contact your contact person with us.
EMP Secure AS reserves the right to make any changes from Microsoft after the publication of the content on this website, and does not guarantee the accuracy, validity or completeness of the information published.

Talk to our security experts about solutions for your business

Markus Færevaag
Offensive Security Manager