The presence of women in cybersecurity is no longer a rarity. It is an essential component of a thriving and secure digital landscape. By embracing and promoting diversity, we create a stronger, more resilient industry.
Today, women have been making their mark in prominent positions within the cybersecurity industry. From C-suite executives to cybersecurity analysts, women are taking on leadership roles and demonstrating their expertise. These women are not only contributing to the growth and success of their organisations but also inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. Their achievement serves as a testament to the fact that gender does not limit one’s ability to excel in cybersecurity.
According to Steve Morgan , founder of Cybersecurity Ventures, Editor-in-Chief at Cybercrime Magazine , and Executive Producers at Cybercrime Radio, females will account for 30% of the global cybersecurity workforce by 2025 , reaching 35% by 2031. This extends beyond protecting corporate networks to cover IoT, IIoT and ICS security as well as the cybersecurity for the automotive, military defence, aerospace, healthcare and other industries.
In this blog, we will celebrate the trailblazing women who are shaping the world of cybersecurity. Here are the 10 female leaders in Cybersecurity :
Wendy Thomas: CEO of Secure Works
Wendy Thomas is the CEO of Secureworks, a recognized cybersecurity company in the industry. Under her leadership and vision Secureworks tasted many success and growth. Wendy before becoming CEO leaded the Secureworks’ Customer Success organisation, which includes product and engineering, operations, customer experience, and the threat intelligence-focused Counter Threat UnitTM, and is responsible for the company’s transformation into a software-driven company with security at its core.
Outside of Secureworks, Thomas acts as a Liaison for AFS Intercultural Programs, an international youth exchange organisation. She also manages the Pride Employee Resource Group, which brings together Secureworks teammates to network and advance the inclusion and education activities.
Chani Simms: co-founder of Meta Defence Labs UK
Chani is a TEDx Speaker and an award-winning cybersecurity leader. A recipient of international acclaim and multiple honours, she expanded Meta Defence Labs UK into Sri Lanka to provide cybersecurity expertise and capabilities to South Asian communities.
Chani founded SHe CISO Exec., an effort that aims to elevate a new generation of talent in the realm of information security. It is a cybersecurity boot camp and mentoring programme primarily for women.
Parisa Tabriz: VP/GM of Google Chrome
Parisa Tabriz is the Vice President and General Manager of Google Chrome , where she plays a pioneering role in enhancing the security features of world’s popular browser. Leading the Chrome security team, Tabriz has been instrumental in addressing emerging threats and improving browser security to ensure safer online experiences for users. Her innovative approaches have set new standards in web security, making her a key figure in the cybersecurity landscape.
When Google required her to get business cards, she picked the title “security princess” because it seemed less boring than “information security engineer,” her actual title at the time. Moreover, in past she oversaw the google’s famous security team Project Zero.
Keren Elazari: Founder of BSides TLV
Keren is an internationally recognised security analyst, researcher, author and speaker, working with leading security firms, government organisations and Fortune 500 companies.
As an independent voice on cyber security, Keren Elazari is the first Israeli woman to give a TED talk at the official TED Conference. Keren’s TED talk about hackers has been viewed by millions, translated to 30 languages and is one of the most watched talks on TED.com topic of cyber security.
Keren is the founder of BSidesTLV, Israel’s largest security community event, and the founder of the Leading Cyber Ladies network for Women in Cyber Security. Keren is currently a senior researcher at the Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center at Tel Aviv University.
Purvi Kay : BAE Systems Head of GRC
Purvi Kay is a Chartered Aerospace Engineer with more than 15 years of experience, in the UK Government’s Cybersecurity projects. She currently serves as the Head of Cyber Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance at BAE Systems, using her extensive leadership background in UK government’s cybersecurity projects. With over a decade of experience in various cybersecurity domains, including threat intelligence, she plays a pivotal role in shaping security culture within organizations.
In addition to her technical expertise, Purvi is a passionate advocate for empowering women to pursue careers in technology. As a career mentor, she focuses on developing a strong talent pipeline for security professionals, supporting their career growth.
DR. Wanda T. Jones-Heath: Cyber Advisor USAF
Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath, a Senior Executive Service member, serves as the Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force (DAF), which involves both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. In this role, she is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the DAF Cyber Strategy, advising the Secretary of the Air Force on all cyber-related programs, and ensuring the security of information and weapon systems. She also oversees the recruitment, training, and readiness of cyber mission forces, while advocating for cyber investments and cybersecurity supply chain risk management.
Before her current role, Dr. Jones-Heath was the Chief Information Security Officer, where she provided expert guidance on cybersecurity policy, programs, and force development. She led a team responsible for developing cybersecurity strategies for over 5,000 Air Force IT systems to ensure the security of military cyberspace operations. Her leadership extended to overseeing risk management, the defense industrial base, and cryptographic modernization efforts supporting cyber operations
Runa Sandvik : Computer Security Expert
Runa Sandvik is a computer security expert from Norway, who now lives in Washington. She is currently the Senior Director of Information Security for the New York Times. She has also been a technical advisor for the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
She is known for interviewing Edward Snowden in 2014, and also for demonstrating, while working with her husband, how smart rifles with WiFi capabilities could be remotely hacked and forced to miss their targets.
Sarah Armstrong Smith: Microsoft’s Cyber Advisor
Sarah Armstrong-Smith is a leading cybersecurity expert who provides strategic guidance to organizations on developing strong cybersecurity frameworks, managing risks, and staying ahead of evolving threats. She currently serves as the Chief Security Advisor for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Microsoft, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s security strategy and leading initiatives to help customers in the region defend against cyber threats.
Beyond her work at Microsoft, Armstrong-Smith is a respected speaker at industry conferences and a published author. Her book, Understand the Cyber Attacker Mindset, has had a made some impact on the cybersecurity field, encouraging companies to focus on understanding attacker psychology to improve their defenses.
Mary Ann Davidson: Oracle’s CSO
Mary Ann Davidson is a highly respected cybersecurity leader, known for her extensive career and impactful contributions to the field. As the Chief Security Officer at Oracle, she oversees the software security assurance process for all Oracle products and services, ensuring they meet the highest cybersecurity standards.
Mary Ann is also an influential figure in the cybersecurity community, serving on the boards of the Information Technology Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC) and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA). She has been recognized as one of Information Security’s top five “Women of Vision” and was inducted into the ISSA Hall of Fame. Mary Ann advised the Obama administration through her participation in the CSIS Commission on Cybersecurity for the 44th Presidency. Her expertise has significantly impacted the cybersecurity industry, particularly through her testimony before U.S. Congress.
Theresa Payton: CEO of Fortalice Solutions
Theresa Payton is the CEO, Senior Partner, and President of Fortalice Solutions, a renowned cybersecurity consulting firm. With her extensive experience in the cybersecurity industry, Payton provides strategic guidance to organizations, helping them defend against cyber threats and implement advanced security measures. Her leadership has established Fortalice as a trusted advisor, supporting clients in navigating complex security challenges.
Payton made history as the first female Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the White House, serving under President George W. Bush. During her tenure, she played a key role in improving national cybersecurity, oversaw modernizing IT infrastructures, and introduced various security protocols to protect government’s sensitive information. Her groundbreaking work in government cybersecurity has cemented her as a trailblazer in the industry.
