Inspirational Women in Cybersecurity

1. What was your motivation to work in cybersecurity?

My motivation to go into cybersecurity is that it is the most interesting field in the world! It is a really multidisciplinary where you need to align people, process and technology. I am an eager learner and in the security field you have to learn every single day to keep up.

2. Did you struggle with some obstacles during your practice? How did you solve this obstacles?

One of my struggles was that in the Netherlands there aren’t a lot of women in the field. A lot of people therefor assume that you are not technical. Therefor I felt that I had to prove myself more then men had to prove themselves. I was very afraid to make mistakes. Therefor I really worked hard and kept pushing the limits of myself and of others. Then I learned that it is best when you can work together with others were everyone can bring their knowledge to the table. It is okay if you don’t know everything yourself, with a good team you figure it out together.

3. What should we do for more women in cybersecurity?

Women in cybersecurity shouldn’t be afraid to learn about the technology. We should really help each other out by teaching each other about our knowledge! Only together we can be successful!

Rhesa is also one of our speakers at QuBit Conference Prague 2020. See her profile.

1. What was your motivation to work in cybersecurity?

For me, Cybersecurity is one of the most interesting and challenging areas of professional development. My motivation has been inspired by my desire to be able to have a strategic vision for defense in order to be able to support a solid basis for successful business in our digital world.

2. Did you struggle with some obstacles during your practice? How did you solve this obstacles?

I believe each profession has its challenges, but this particular area was strongly male-dominated in the past few years. Women’s recognition and involvement in the Cybersecurity area to support the aspects of diversity was a very challenging part, indeed. The most powerful lesson for me was that the constant learning, consistency and professional attitude are the key ingredients for success.

3. What should we do for more women in cybersecurity?

I believe motivation comes from great examples that will inspire women. Information security and in particular Cybersecurity is one of the most exciting and innovative areas of development. Emerging technologies create great opportunities for progressive improvements and if a person wants to keep up with the latest and interesting trends, and to see the future from a different perspective this area of professional development will be the right choice.

All the shades of this profession are very interesting, but it is extremely important to define very precisely the exact field that you are good at, because of not only technical knowledge and skills matter. This is where the beauty of diversity is hidden.

1. What was your motivation to work in cybersecurity?

I’m a lawyer who worked as an accountant for 6 years and has a bachelor degree in marketing. My chances to end up in tech were very small, but here I am. I started in cybersecurity last year when I opened the first international branch of a Romanian cyber company in Abu Dhabi. This is the third company I have started, the second in tech but the first in the UAE. I was new to the Middle East, didn’t know anyone and I learned cybersecurity as I went but now we are working with some of biggest companies in UAE. Being an Eastern European woman in the Middle East working in cybersecurity has a “shock” factor to it that I actually think it helps me in my work (most of the time). The way I see it, I have a mission to protect people’s digital lives from being stolen or violated – and that’s why I like it.

2. Did you struggle with some obstacles during your practice? How did you solve this obstacles?

Yes, sometimes it is difficult to be the only woman in the room or in the company – we communicate differently than men, we pay attention to different things, but now I see this situation differently than when I was in my 20s – it’s a growing exercise for everyone and that’s a good thing.

3. What should we do for more women in cybersecurity?

That being said, my second mission is tu use mentoring and interniships to encourage as many women as I can to join the industry  – they have a lot to offer!