This year’s Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards uncovered and celebrated the individuals and teams that go above and beyond to make the UK a safer place to do business, as well as a more inclusive industry for all. The sponsors included KnowBe4, Check Point Software, ThinkCyber, The Zensory, Hornetsecurity and Pulse Conferences.
Today’s spotlight is on Emma Mallett, Regional Sales Manager- Optimising IT (B Corp) and this year’s Diversity Champion for her efforts towards fostering a more inclusive culture in cybersecurity.
What does your job role entail?
EM: As a Regional Sales Manager with Optimising IT, I play a pivotal role in driving business growth, building client relationships, and leading high-performing sales processes. I translate the technical into the language of my customer, I learn their business deeply and find ways to ensure that cybersecurity is seen as a priority, educate where I can on this and help keep my customers secure. Using strategy to identify the types of clients I want to work with, I develop and execute regional sales and marketing strategies, identify new opportunities, generate leads, and work with customers to find deals that work for them. It doesn’t stop when the deal is closed- I am driven by seeing the success of my clients’ businesses and careers and I’m always keen to be involved with events and initiatives. I am a trusted advisor, I will tailor innovative IT, AI, and cybersecurity solutions to meet my client’s needs while building and maintaining long-term partnership, which always mean a lot to me. My role involves working with the wider technical team, involving them in the sales processes and working together to create the best partnership for my clients. I believe in setting the standard and ensuring compliance with industry standards and data protection regulations. So, I will spend time to make sure I am always up to date with the latest offerings, tools and options. I care so much about ensuring people are educated about cybersecurity and absolutely love this aspect of my role!
Why is community in cyber so important?
EM: In a rapidly evolving world of cybersecurity, community is so important for collaboration, knowledge sharing and enabling others to join the industry. For me, community is more than just networking — it’s a means of staying ahead of emerging threats, learning from industry peers, and promoting inclusivity within an industry that isn’t always easy to join. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and no single individual or organisation can address them alone. By experts engaging with the community, companies and individuals gain access to real-time threat intelligence, best practices, and learning. Community also encourages the development of diverse perspectives, which is critical in tackling the complex and multifaceted nature of cyberattacks. Through mentorship, advocacy, and educational initiatives, community-driven efforts help close the skills gap in cybersecurity, empowering the next generation of cyber talent. For me, community engagement is a catalyst for continuous learning, innovation, and building a safer digital future. It’s about creating a space where ALL professionals feel supported and have access to the collective wisdom of the industry.
What does it mean to you to be an ‘Unsung Hero’?
EM: Winning an award for being an “Unsung Hero” is incredibly meaningful to me because it recognises the often unseen but essential work that goes into driving diversity. In the world of cyber and risk management, much of what I do happens behind the scenes — pushing for change in an environment where I don’t see many others like me, guiding people to change how they see things can be a complex challenge, and the countless hours I put into driving this change through events, social media and networking. To have that work acknowledged is both humbling and rewarding. For me, being a Diversity Champion has always been about proactively driving for change how I can and empowering others to do so too. It’s not about seeking recognition but about knowing that I’m making the real difference I want to see. With everything I do when I push for change, I try to steer and build in a way that if I wasn’t involved in the future, the change would sustain itself and keep happening. For example, building a team in Exeter to run WiTCH ensures it’s sustainability for the future when I am not there. What I do now, is also for the people in this industry once I have retired! This award is also a reminder of the power of empathy, support, and trust. None of what I do is possible without the people who support me, who are there to build me back up when I fall and keep pushing for change with me. Changing the world isn’t easy and it’s tough, exhausting and mentally draining. Yet, these people help make it easier, being energy and make it seem so achievable. These people all know who they are and this award is also theirs, too.
Is there anything you’d like people to know about your journey?
EM: Resilience defines my journey, and I am determined to create a sustainable, inclusive, and empowering future—for my community, my industry, and the planet.
