International Women’s Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the social, economic, political and economic achievements of women. At The IT Security Guru we make it our mission to empower and amplify women all year round! We asked various women from across the cybersecurity industry about their experiences in the cyber industry, as well as their hopes for the future.
Zoya Schaller, Director of Cybersecurity Compliance at Keeper Security highlights women’s societal contributions in shaping the cybersecurity field:
“Early in my career, I learned that cybersecurity is a field where your work speaks for you. Audits are thorough, expectations are high and the strength of an organization’s security posture is a direct reflection of the rigor behind it.
She added that “International Women’s Day gives me a chance to reflect on the women I’ve worked alongside over the years, women who bring discipline, analytical thinking and resilience to roles that carry real responsibility. Cybersecurity is not an easy field, and the women who build long-term careers here do so because they are capable and committed.
“For me, International Women’s Day is about recognizing the women who meet those expectations every day, in roles that demand focus and accountability. That consistency strengthens teams and ultimately strengthens the security of the organizations we support.”
Charlotte Wilson, Head of Enterprise Business UKI at Check Point Software, said:
“International Women’s Day is complicated for me, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. Women have always been the ones who give. We give to each other. We give to our families. We give to our communities. That’s what we do. But in today’s world, especially with the rapid advancement of AI, I’m not sure ‘giving’ is always the right word. Maybe right now, it’s about preserving. Preserving our voices. Preserving our perspectives. Making sure we are shaping what’s being built, not just adapting to it.
“AI is already delivering incredible outcomes; breast cancer screening is a powerful example of where it’s improving health and saving lives, but there are also areas where it isn’t serving women well. Bias is still being built into systems. That’s the challenge. So, when I talk about giving today, I mean giving women a voice, especially in AI development and ethical deployment.
“If you know women who are capable of coding, of building, of shaping these systems, but who may lack confidence, bring them in. Fast-track them. Support them. Give them a seat at the table while the builders are still building. Because now is the moment that will define the future.
“The same applies to gender pay. In my experience, women don’t talk about pay nearly as openly as men do. We don’t compare notes. We don’t say, ‘This is what I’m earning, what are you earning?’ And when we eventually find out we’re underpaid, it’s disheartening. But we have to ask: are we asking for more? Are we being transparent with each other?
“When I started being open about what I was paid, and what I believed I should be paid, I realised I was vastly underpaid. It was only then that my career accelerated. Transparency changed everything.
“Another area where women have helped me enormously is financial confidence. We often feel trapped by our salary or circumstances, especially when juggling family and career. Other women encouraged me to understand my money; how to manage it, how to invest it, how to plan for retirement, and what my choices really meant for my life. That financial clarity is power.
“So, if I think about what women have given me, it’s this: the confidence to ask for fair pay, the encouragement to pursue challenging opportunities, and the financial insight to make informed life choices. And if you’re in a position to give something this International Women’s Day, give another woman her voice. Give her transparency. Give her confidence. Because this is the moment to build a future that truly includes us.”
Michelle Bilich, IT Operations Specialist at Huntress, concurs: “”A few years ago, I slowly started getting involved with cybersecurity community groups like WiCyS, WISP, ISSA, ISC2, and BSides, even before I felt like I belonged. I showed up to learn, connect, and grow, thinking I was mostly there to receive. I did not realise those experiences were preparing me to give back through introductions, encouragement, and opportunity. Giving does not start with expertise. It starts with simply showing up.”
Christina Parry, Staff Security Software Engineer at Huntress, believes that giving back fosters connections and is crucial for collective growth: “Giving back is how we get better together. Throughout my nearly decade-long career in tech and security, I’ve learned that showing up consistently is how you make an impact, from walking anxiously into conferences solo to building a community that supports and forges real connections. Through mentoring, volunteering with organisations like Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu, and getting involved with local gatherings like BSides, I’ve seen firsthand that when you contribute your time and knowledge, everyone wins.”
Anna Pham, Senior Hunt & Response Analyst at Huntress, said: “There’s something rewarding about staying up late, wearing a Batman cape, and making sure everyone is safe – that’s what cybersecurity feels like to me. From speaking at conferences like Virus Bulletin and RSA to sharing research openly, I have learned that every bit of knowledge you give comes back tenfold. The best way to grow this field is by lifting each other up along the way.”
On the issues still faced by women in cyber, and how she’s overcoming them, Dr. Chidimma Opara, Lecturer in Computer Science at Teesside University, as well as Project Lead at GUARD (out of Teesside University), which was part of cohort nine of the UK government backed CyberASAP programme, said: “Many challenges are the familiar STEM ones: balancing family life (I am a mum of three) with the pressure to stay visible, publish, and say yes to opportunities. I also still feel imposter syndrome at times, especially in spaces that remain male-dominated. I am fortunate that Teesside University’s flexible working culture, wellbeing support and gender-equality work (including Athena Swan) help me manage these pressures and keep building confidence.”
Black Duck Senior Software Architect Diane Downie highlights the power of community. She advises to draw inspiration from other women, invest in oneself and to actively seek community.
“This year’s International Women’s Day theme of “Give to Gain” focuses on the benefits of collaboration. I have always believed in the power of collaboration to achieve greater things than an individual could achieve on her own. Whether it’s solving a business problem or navigating your career, it’s good to share advice and ideas.
“The community of women has benefited me and continues to support me in my career. My attendance at a women’s college grew my self-confidence. That confidence served me well in navigating the time when I was the “only woman in the room.” Attending the Grace Hopper Celebration Conference in 2018 with 20,000 other female technologists certainly opened my eyes to the strength in a larger community of women. Today I enjoy on-going support from my company’s Global Women’s Network.
My advice to women navigating a career in technology would be:
- Seek out a community. Whether a network of women or a mentor, have that on-going support as you navigate your career. If you are more senior in your career, be a mentor. You will also learn and benefit from the relationship.
- Invest in yourself. Take advantage of courses and conferences. Immerse yourself in the experience and you will gain new perspectives.
- Believe in yourself. We all have experienced imposter syndrome, but the reality is that we can achieve what we set our mind to.
- Take a step back and re-assess the situation. Turn your frustrations into just another challenge to overcome/problem to solve. Try a different path if the one you are trying take is blocked. Ask a trusted colleague for advice. They may see something you are missing.
- Reflect on your career. Take time to think about where you are and where you want to go. Are the things you are doing today helping you on that journey? If not, what changes can you make to put yourself on the right path.
“On International Women’s Day we should celebrate our successes, be inspired by other women we admire, and rely on our network of support.”
Joy Burkholder Meier, Chief Human Resources Officers & General Counsel at Black Duck, shared the same sentiments:
“In my experience, one of the best ways for women to navigate power structures and advance into leadership is to build and take advantage of support systems. The theme of International Women’s Day 2026 is “Give to Gain.” And one way to “give” is by supporting women who are trying to advance their careers. Support can take many forms, whether it’s a supportive partner or joining (or founding!) a women’s network at your place of employment, there’s nothing like having a support system to give you the encouragement to take the next step in your career.
“Allies are also key parts of support systems – whether it be a spouse or partner, someone in your network or individuals who can support you at work. Having allies may get you a seat at the table or, in the case of a partner, can ensure you have the time to attend those important meetings. Getting a seat at the table gives you more exposure to others in power, which helps others understand your value and support your career.”
“Allies also can provide encouragement to ensure you are ready to take the next step when opportunities arise. A woman with a supportive partner backing her feels more confident taking a demanding role, even though she may have young children at home. A strong support system helps with confidence. Often, we think we need more experience to be qualified for a higher-level role. The reality is that no one has experience when they do something for the first time – so there’s no reason you cannot be elevated into a role for the first time. Try to eliminate any inferiority complex. You are as ready as anyone else was when they did something for the first time. It’s as simple as asking: “Why not me?” Your support system can remind you of that.”
“Finally, a support system can help you clarify your career goals and hold you accountable for working towards them. Write your goals down and share them with your manager. You will be surprised with how others will help you if they know what your goals are. You also will be surprised how much more “real” the goals are when they are staring back at you from the paper or a screen where you have captured them. International Women’s Day is a great time to pause and think about your goals and the support system you have in place – or that you need to build – to obtain them. They sky is the limit!”
On advice for the younger generation, Anna Collard, SVP of Content Strategy at KnowBe4, said:
“Don’t wait until you feel 100% ready. Technology evolves so fast that nobody ever feels fully prepared. Say yes and learn on the job. Ask lots of questions and foster your curiosity.”
“And protect your attention. In an industry driven by urgency, AI, and constant change, your ability to focus deeply is a competitive advantage. Develop that early. Whether through disciplined learning habits, reflection, or mindfulness, train your mind as intentionally as you train your technical skills. Cognitive flexibility is what is going to set us apart from machines in the future.”
On what needs to be done to encourage more women into cyber, Stephanie Itimi, Founder of Seidea, said:
“The first step is making cybersecurity more visible and understandable.”
“Many people still assume cybersecurity is purely technical, when in reality it sits at the intersection of technology, policy, law, psychology and organisational behaviour. Once people understand the breadth of roles available, the industry becomes far more accessible.”
“Mentorship and community also play a huge role. Early in my career, I often felt like I was navigating the industry alone. Communities and networks help people see what is possible and provide the confidence to pursue opportunities.”
“Organisations also need to focus on progression, not just recruitment. Hiring diverse talent is important, but it must be followed by meaningful leadership development, sponsorship and opportunities to work on impactful projects.”
“Finally, we need to talk openly about confidence. Many talented women hesitate to pursue cybersecurity careers because they feel they are not technical enough. I know that feeling personally.”
“But cybersecurity is fundamentally about protecting people, systems and trust. That mission requires diverse perspectives and experiences.”
“The more diverse the people protecting our digital world, the stronger that world will be.”
