Q&A with Megan Barker, Senior Security Specialist at 1Password

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work at 1Password? Or wanted to know the career paths that other people followed before taking a job here? You’re not alone!

In this new blog series, we’re sharing what it’s really like to work at 1Password. To do this, we sat down and talked to team members from across our more than 800-strong organization, including engineering, human resources, and customer support. You’ll learn about the journeys that each person took to 1Password, as well as their their current role and day-to-day responsibilities.

Today, we’re chatting with Megan Barker, who works as Senior Security Specialist, Documentation at 1Password!

What’s your current role, and what are your day-to-day responsibilities?

I write security-focused posts for the 1Password blog, create informative (and lighthearted) posts for an internal security group, and edit security-related information for our Content team. I’m also responsible for all security, compliance, and privacy documentation!

My daily activities vary from one day to the next, which is one of the best parts of my job.

What is your favorite part of your role?

I get to write! Writing is such a large part of who I am – it’s been a passion since before I could physically write. I wrote stories on an absolutely ancient typewriter when I was very young. I graduated to writing chaptered novels in grade school and won a local writing competition when I was 10.

TL;DR – Very few people who can say their life’s passion is also how they make a living, and I’m incredibly fortunate and grateful to be one of them.

How would you describe your team’s culture to someone who was applying for a role on that team?

The Security team is extraordinary.

I was on the Documentation team when my role was created. It started as a part-time assignment but I became a full-fledged member of the Security team fairly quickly.

I felt at home the very first day, and was welcomed into the fold despite my lack of specialized training. The team took me under their collective wing and taught me – and continue to teach me – almost everything I know about security and privacy.

The Security team is extraordinary.

We all have different backgrounds, training, knowledge, strengths, and points of view, but share the same strong commitment to the security of 1Password and its customers.

What keeps you motivated in your role?

My motivation comes from the ability and freedom to do what I love every single day with the support of an amazing manager and team. And for real money (well, I’m paid in Canadian dollars but it’s real money up here).

I also have a deep respect for the trust placed in us by millions of people and want to do my part to keep 1Password the best and most secure option available.

Any fun personal plans for 2023?

My life is pretty boring! I’m a single mom so my 8-year-old son and our two pretty pitties keep me very busy (and close to home). I’m also antsy for some warm weather. We saw lows of -45 Celsius this winter in my area of Ontario, Canada, so summer can’t come soon enough!

Quick! You’re boarding a plane and you can only bring one item on your trip. What is the one thing you can’t live without?

Catcher in the Rye or The Grapes of Wrath.

Lol, j/k. I’d bring my phone. I wish I could say I’d grab some great literary work to paint the picture of some cosmopolitan academic but, really, I couldn’t live without my phone.

Memories in picture form, money via online banking or Apple Pay (you’re welcome for the plug, Apple!), and the ability to, you know, phone someone or search for, and navigate to, anything I didn’t bring.

For the record, my second choice would be underwear. For what I hope are obvious reasons.

Thanks! ♥️