Please provide a summary of your current role and share your professional journey from the start of your career.
I am an accomplished leader, bestselling author, speaker, and advocate for women’s empowerment. As the founder of KnewStart, my company focuses on collaborating with women and businesses that prioritize their value. My mission is to establish a norm where women in cybersecurity are not exceptions but standard. This is achieved through my writings, keynote speeches, consulting services, and the innovative women’s solution, The Source.
With over 24 years in the cybersecurity field, I have become a highly recognized female influencer, earning accolades such as being labeled a “trailblazing woman in tech” by UNESCO. My journey began in the late 90s when I founded my global ethical hacking firm, and I have since held executive positions at renowned consultancies, including my role as Managing Director at Accenture. I actively contribute to industry accreditations, schemes, and forums.
In addition to being a sought-after keynote speaker and guest lecturer, I serve as an awards judge and regularly share my expertise in leading global media outlets. Known for my ability to identify trends, unite teams for mutual success, and swiftly address root problems, my work is dedicated to establishing women as standard contributors in the cybersecurity field.
I am a firm believer that a safer, happier, and more prosperous world requires increased representation of women in traditionally male-dominated industries. To further this cause, I initiated the INSecurity Movement, which has provided over 335 women with INSecurity scholarships, totaling around USD 500,000 in value over the past three years. I also created the INSecurity Event Code of Conduct to ensure the safety of women at events and continue to use my voice to advocate for positive change on behalf of those who may not have a platform.
How would you define yourself in one-word or one-sentence?
One word: challenger.
What inspires and drives you?
I draw motivation from various aspects, prioritizing my children, our planet, and spiritual beliefs, in that sequence.
Please share with us the obstacles you encountered while navigating the complexities of the industry and how you overcame them,
One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned pertains to the uneven playing field for women in the workplace. Contrary to the notion of meritocracy being a reality, especially in the male-dominated tech industry, the data exposes its dysfunction. Belief in meritocracy tends to foster selfishness, reduce self-criticism, and increase the likelihood of introducing bias and discriminatory behavior.
Even organizations that present themselves as meritocratic often fall short, with managers displaying a bias towards men over equally qualified women. Consequently, it has become clear to me that women cannot employ the same career advancement tactics as men, as such strategies tend to yield worse outcomes. Instead, for women, the focus should be on cultivating visibility, earning recognition from managers, building a robust support network, and gaining access to influential individuals. These actions emerge as the most effective steps a woman can take to advance her career.
What are the common obstacles that women often face in the corporate world, particularly within the technology sector?
In tech and cyber, we still have a shortfall of women, and many are leaving the field too early. The ratios of women to men in tech roles have actually been declining over the past 35 years, with half of young women in tech dropping out by the age of 35 – compared to 20% in other roles. When I look at cyber, men are nine times more likely to be in managerial positions and four times more likely to be in executive management, despite women having, on average, higher levels of education. And women are still being paid less than men for doing the same work. Unconscious bias, patriarchal systems and toxic masculinity have to be the biggest challenges.
Women are more likely to experience discrimination, feel under-valued, suffer burn-out and earn less than their male peers. And it’s unsurprising as women are still being told, (usually by other well-meaning women leaders), that they need to work twice as hard as men in order to achieve promotions or pay rises. I don’t blame these women for this. Chances are, this is the success strategy they used; however, it is detrimental to most women. Unfortunately, it’s the fastest way to burnout, absenteeism and exiting the industry.
Women need supporting at all stages of their career and as tech is a profession for all genders, the industry has much to benefit from recognising the pivotal role women can play now and in the future. Diverse perspectives and thought leadership throughout the entire tech ecosystem are critical. In cyber, they are especially so for managing risk effectively and innovation. Organisations must evolve so they can create environments and ways of working that are fit for all people.
Could you provide an elaborate overview of your company, highlighting its distinctive services or products?
At KnewStart, we advocate for an evolutionary approach, offering a diverse range of solutions catering to women and businesses that prioritize their mutual value. We foster an environment where collaboration takes precedence over blame, creating positive, accessible, and valuable communities. Our mission involves empowering women to expand their networks, enhance their skills (both soft and hard), and access essential resources. Simultaneously, we assist forward-thinking businesses in tapping into a rich, diverse pool of female talent, fostering their development alongside.
Among our popular training programs, one focuses on amplifying women’s voices and establishing visible female role models. Covering personal branding, communication, networking, resilience, influence, and executive presence, this program combines fun, interactivity, and inspiration through real-life examples, stories, and the latest brain research. Another notable initiative is our leadership program, which provides organizations with a comprehensive process for developing leaders at all levels and improving overall culture. By strategically combining established management models in a research-backed order, this program serves as a blueprint for effective leadership and high-performance development in organizations.
What sets us apart is our holistic solution that spans consulting, training, community building, and certification, supporting women across all stages of their careers, from entry-level to leadership positions, including entrepreneurs.
Operating on a global scale, our clientele includes some of the world’s most renowned brands, many listed on global stock indices, as well as start-ups and mid-range organizations. Our solutions, encompassing consulting, training, mentoring, certification, and talent acquisition, align with the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5, 10, and 16.
In your point of view, share your insights on the current state of the industry.
Today, the technologies that we rely on are interconnected and interdependent. Unfortunately, because of this they bring many risks, so cyber-attacks, data breaches, and compliance failures are happening more often, are more costly, and have devastating consequences for businesses, governments, and citizens.
Although cyber has emerged as a dynamic, well-paid and future- proofed profession, right now it is struggling to identify and attract new talent. According to research, the cyber workforce needs to grow at least 65% and has a shortfall of 2.7 million. This is good news for women, as representing over half of the world’s population, and having a unique way of dealing with risk, the industry has them on its radar!
How has the pandemic changed the fate of learning industry?
Prior to the pandemic, the online learning and edtech sectors were already experiencing significant growth, with global investments hitting US$18.66 billion in 2019. Projections indicated that the overall market for online education would reach USD 350 billion by 2025. However, with the onset of Covid-19, there has been a profound surge in language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, and various online learning software. This shift has led to a dramatic transformation in the learning industry, with a considerable portion of education now being delivered remotely through digital platforms. Notably, research suggests that online learning might require less time and contribute to increased information retention.
How do you plan to make a meaningful contribution in a fiercely competitive market?
It’s a combination of things. I’m an influencer in my market but I never take that for granted. I work hard to understand those I serve, to use my voice effectively, and to create solutions that fix root problems. My plan is to continue to research, write, build partnerships and advertise.
What do you envision for yourself in the coming years? Please share your future aspirations and goals.
I see myself scaling The Source in other male dominated fields, like fintech, biotech, medtech and so on. I see myself writing more books, creating unique events, tools, possibly apps, and building a women’s foundation where I can help more women out of poverty and to fund their businesses.
What guidance would you offer young women aiming for success in the workplace or as entrepreneurs/professionals?
I’ve delved into numerous aspects in my recent publication titled “INSights,” where I share 52 insights that I wish I had known at the onset of my career. While it’s a challenge to distill them down, here are three key points I frequently emphasize:
It’s well known that women have weaker ties than men to colleagues and cohorts both at work and outside, but expanding your network. A robust network increases your chances of job referrals, partnership opportunities, and access to diverse information. This broader perspective enhances problem-solving skills and instills confidence in overcoming challenges.
Elevating your visibility and cultivating a personal brand opens up a plethora of opportunities. Success isn’t solely determined by natural ability; attention and opportunities play a pivotal role. Being known within your organization and beyond allows you to make strategic contributions, attract sponsors, and circumvent gender stereotypes. Sponsors can advocate for your talents, helping you navigate challenges associated with self-promotion, particularly for women.
Self-belief is the foundation for garnering support from others. To expect others to believe in and invest in you, you must first invest in yourself. Conduct a thorough self-assessment, identify areas for growth, and create a plan. Prioritize personal development, along with emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. Overcome excuses, find resources, and take consistent, incremental steps. Strengthening your inner belief signals to yourself and others that you’re worth investing in, resulting in a transformative energy shift. This change not only propels your personal growth but also becomes palpable to those around you, transcending the limitations of language in conveying your true worth.
Quotes –
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
“Success is a journey, not a destination; failure is not the end but a stepping stone. The true measure lies in the courage to persist.”
“You only have to do a few things right in your life so long as you don’t do too many things wrong.”
