Inspiring Women in Cybersecurity for International Women’s Day
There is so much to learn about cybersecurity from women in the industry. On this International Women’s Day, we have gathered 14 quotes from women in the industry whom we admire. We hope you enjoy their insights and join us in celebrating the impact women are making in cyber!
Rinki Sethi
VP & CISO at BILL, Rinki Sethi is an award-winning leader & executive and an Onyxia CISO Advisor. In this inspiring post, Rinki speaks about her personal journey to the board and shares her perspective on how CISOs can make a profound impact on the broader organization.
“With 20+ years working in cybersecurity, and working at 8 public companies and 1 private company as an operator, I strongly believe CISOs bring a unique perspective and diversity to boards. CISOs serving on boards do not only provide strong cybersecurity expertise to the board, but also a diversity of experience on navigating different organizations, cultures, and a perspective on building strong teams, all while making CISOs better in their operational roles. Grateful for the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to these dynamic companies! "
Ann Johnson
As a Technology Executive, Board Member, and Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, Ann Johnson has shown that her skills and abilities are significant and multi-faceted. This quote is from a post about her trip to London to meet with cybersecurity partners and customers. This meaningful idea that she shared shows how she appreciates everyone who she interacts with, even on a day that she referred to as “rainy”🌧️ 🌈.
“Security is a team sport, and we rely on a healthy and robust startup ecosystem to solve the toughest industry problems.”
Anahi Santiago
Anahi Santiago is Christiana Care Health System's Chief Information Security Officer, where she has overall responsibility for the organization's information security program and strategic direction. With over 20 years in the Information Technology field, Anahi has extensive experience in areas of cybersecurity, privacy, regulatory compliance, program management and infrastructure services. In this post, she promotes and encourages security professionals to contribute their expertise to the Health Sector Coordinating Council - Cybersecurity Working Group and make a lasting impact on the healthcare industry.
“Our industry needs the support from energetic, passionate leaders willing to contribute to the health and vitality of patient care across the nation by donating their thought leadership and experience.
I met with my CISA regional agent today. We got to talking about these goals and what he is seeing in our industry. A lot of healthcare organizations are struggling to meet the essential goals. They need funding, expertise and help to get there. That's where the HSCC and our involvement makes a material impact.”
Reut Weitzman
Reut Weitzman, CEO at CILYNX, is one of Onyxia’s advisory board members 🙌. This quote is a reaction to an article about how women are underrepresented in the cybersecurity space. It is a cheerful and motivating message that is so powerful and shows how Weitzman relates to and demonstrates leadership and initiative in encouraging women to join the tech industry.
“As a professional woman in the #cybersecurity industry, I am proud to be a part of the growing number of women who are breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in the tech industry. It's crucial that we continue to champion #diversity and #inclusivity in all aspects of our lives, and especially in the workplace, to foster #innovation, #creativity, and ultimately achieve greater success.”
Neda Pitt
Neda Pitt is a CISO at Belk with more than 22 years of experience. This was a response to a post by Joyce Brocaglia that said:
“...Boards are recognizing that Cybersecurity is a strategic business imperative and cyber savvy board members provide valuable insights.”
Neda’s well put response relates beyond the cybersecurity world because while visibility and awareness are important for cybersecurity reporting, they are just as important for encouraging diversity.
“Cybersecurity is both one of the most important and most challenging responsibilities for the board to oversee.
The board needs a direct line of sight into evolving cybersecurity risks, regulations, and strategies. The most effective strategy for maintaining that level of ongoing visibility and awareness is to prioritize regular reporting, directly from the CISO and cybersecurity team.”
Tia Hopkins
Yatia Hopkins, Chief Cyber Resilience Officer (Field CISO) and Field CTO at eSentire, has over a decade of experience in the managed services space. Tia Shared this post to celebrate getting her fourth degree. She is an inspiration for everyone on perseverance and resilience, two very important qualities needed in cybersecurity.
“…I dropped out of college four times. Yes. FOUR. I should’ve quit…I told myself that dropping out 4 times just means I need 4 degrees to make it right - to balance the scale.
It took years, but I am so freaking excited to share that I’ve finally completed my fourth college degree, an Executive MBA, and finally settled the score. The PhD will be the cherry on top in the next year or two.”
Chani Simms
Chani Simms is a Virtual CISO and a Managing Director Meta Defence Labs where she helps businesses build trust through implementing cyber resilience. This is an excerpt from her post about her trip to egypt and it is one tip, among many, that were inspired by the pyramids. She has a motivating spirit that she utilizes to share her knowledge and growth.
“Leaving a Cyber Legacy: Cybersecurity is more than just locking down data. Leave behind a cyber legacy that's all about sharing smarts, playing fair, and creating a secure online world.”
Jadee Hanson
Jadee Hanson, CISO at Vanta, is a strategic CIO and CISO with 20 years of experience. This post is accompanied by a meme. Hanson has turned the meme into an inspiring and truthful piece of encouragement and praise related to the cybersecurity space.
“I am continually impressed at how this industry works together to share intel and support one another. Sometimes with a fancy new search script and sometimes with a hilarious meme! Both are equally helpful to get you through some stressful days!”
Nasrin Rezai
SVP, CISO of Verizon, Nasrin Rezai is a technical and cyber visionary and change agent with over 25 years of experience. On International Day of the Girl, Rezai shared this story. “Show courage in the face of uncertainty” is a great lesson and motivator for girls and women who are interested in achieving great success in tech like Rezai.
“When I was a girl I was very interested in technology, but I never thought I’d grow up to become a leader in cybersecurity and business. It wasn’t until early in my career that I had a boss who gave me a role that was outside of my comfort zone – I didn’t know if I could manage it and I never would have volunteered myself. Tackling that project didn't go 100% perfectly, but I learned a lot and my confidence grew. It gave me the courage to take on bigger roles and challenges. #WhatINowKnow is how crucial taking that chance on myself was to my success. What I would tell my younger self – what I am telling girls today – is to show courage in the face of uncertainty.”
Lakshmi Hanspal
Award-winning Technology and Cybersecurity Executive, Lakshmi Hanspal is transforming our perception of trust in a digitally interconnected era. This is an excerpt from her “About” section on her LinkedIn profile. Her passion jumps out of the screen and shows how she engages with executive challenges with excitement and confidence.
Found in the LinkedIn “About” section: “Change in this digital era is fast-moving and inevitable, but some things remain constant: global threats to digital assets are persistent, non-discriminating, and continue to challenge our boundaries of Trust. For a transformative executive like myself, there has never been a more exciting time to be in this business.”
Sarah Armstrong-Smith
Microsoft Chief Security Advisor, Sarah Armstrong-Smith, has a passion for pushing the boundaries, delivering capability and challenging the status quo. This is an excerpt from a cyber awareness brief about close friends and confidantes. Learning and support are integral parts of quick incident response and create a community of growing and caring people.
“When we get support and learn valuable lessons from those that have been in the trenches, it can speed up the incident response, and lead to better outcomes.”
Joyce Brocaglia
Joyce Brocaglia is President & CEO at Alta Associates and Founder of The Executive Women's Forum. This is a quote from when she spoke at the 2023 EWF Annual Conference. With this powerful quote, she prompts us to move forward, positively influence others, and lead through cybersecurity.
“We have the power to change the world. Let’s get out there and use it.”
Michelle Finneran Dennedy
Michelle Finneran Dennedy is the CEO of PrivacyCode and the Partner of Privatus Consulting. She has over 20 years of experience. This is a comment on a post about the mental health of entrepreneurs. She agrees and describes myths of the role and then gives this motivational take about perseverance:
“Winning only comes after many many many many many attempts. And losing only happens when you lie, cheat and fail to learn.
The best news? If you “fail” after working heart and soul for 3 fresh ideas you courageously worked into life— you have gained knowledge and experience worth your weight in every precious metal.
Go be metal baby. You’ve got this.”
Suzanne Hall
Principal at EY, Suzanne Hall, is a leader recognized for her excellence in innovation, strategy and program execution. Hall reacted to a post that read “Ladies--you do not need to be an EWF member to be a Lift Mentor. It is a great way to build a new connection and share the breadth of your experience and wisdom in helping another woman grow.” By sharing her happiness that she contributed to EWF as a mentor she is motivating others to contribute and showing us the power of leadership.
“A rising tide lifts all boats…happy to contribute as a mentor to EWF. I stand on the shoulders of the women who came before me, and hope my contributions will help the generation after me. We are the power.”
We are so thankful for the opportunity to share this post full of positivity, gratitude, and inspiration for women in cybersecurity.
Happy International Women's Day!
Team Onyxia Cyber
