Every day, millions of people rely on the digital world to work, communicate, learn, and build their futures. Behind the scenes, cybersecurity professionals work tirelessly to keep this ecosystem safe.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who are shaping the future of cybersecurity, protecting people, strengthening digital trust, and inspiring the next generation of cyber defenders.
Cybersecurity is often seen as a highly technical field. But at its core, it is about people. It is about protecting individuals, communities, and organisations in an increasingly connected world. Women in cybersecurity bring perspectives that are vital to this mission, such as empathy, resilience, creativity, and leadership that help solve complex security challenges in new and meaningful ways.
Across our community, women are contributing in powerful ways:
- Discovering cybersecurity through unexpected career paths
- Building companies and innovative solutions
- Protecting organisations and critical systems
- Educating communities about online safety
- Mentoring the next generation of cyber professionals
Each journey strengthens the collective progress of our industry.
Their stories also remind us that representation matters. The legacy of pioneering women in technology continues today through those who step forward with courage, curiosity, and purpose.
In this post, we are proud to spotlight the voices of women in our cybersecurity community, sharing what inspired them to enter the field, what keeps them motivated, and the advice they offer to others considering a career in cyber.
Finding Purpose in Protecting Others
For Yasmine Berry, a Computer Science and Cybersecurity graduate, the journey into cybersecurity began with a realisation about the amount of personal data being collected and the responsibility organisations hold in protecting it.
Recognising how often that responsibility is mishandled sparked a desire to be part of the solution.
“I wanted to step into the role of a cyber defender by protecting people who may not even realise they need protecting.”
What keeps Yasmin motivated is the community surrounding the industry, a network of professionals united by the shared goal of building a safer digital world.
She also draws inspiration from pioneering women in computing whose work paved the way for future generations, like Ada Lovelace and Joan Clarke.
“Their courage and brilliance created space for women like me to step forward with confidence. I hope to continue building that legacy for the next generation.”
Turning Awareness Into Impact
For Michelle Yao, Co-Founder of Cyberlite, the motivation comes from protecting young people navigating the digital world.
Growing up during the early days of social media, Michelle observed the evolution of online risks, and realised that many challenges faced by young people today remain similar, but far more sophisticated.
That realisation inspired her to focus on child online protection and cyber/AI safety education.
“I wanted to make a real impact in helping young people navigate the digital world safely.”
Michelle believes women bring an important balance to cybersecurity, especially in areas where understanding human behaviour is essential.
“Women bring empathy and perspective to this field. Our ability to combine personal and professional insights helps us create solutions that genuinely benefit people.”
The most rewarding moments come from seeing real-world impact when students adopt safer digital habits, when teachers feel empowered to guide their students, and when parents find clarity in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Her advice to aspiring women in cybersecurity is simple but powerful:
“Find the reason that makes you wake up motivated every day. When you have that fire, it fuels everything.”
Growing Through Curiosity and Continuous Learning
For Claudia Cheong, an Information Security Practitioner at Prudential Singapore, the path into cybersecurity started with managing endpoint security technologies and evolved into a deeper pursuit of expertise.
Her advice for women entering the field is to embrace the strengths they already bring.
“Embrace your unique background, keep learning, and build strong communication and people skills.”
In cybersecurity, technical skills matter but the ability to collaborate, communicate, and translate complex risks into meaningful action is equally important.
The Power of Curiosity and Community
For Nadeetha Wahalathanthri, a member of the Women in Cyber Subcommittee at ISC2 Singapore Chapter, curiosity is the driving force behind a sustainable cybersecurity career.
“Stay curious, keep learning, and never assume yesterday’s knowledge is enough for today’s threats.”
Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and professionals must continuously adapt, sometimes even unlearning outdated approaches to stay effective.
But one lesson stands above the rest:
“No one succeeds in this field alone. Shared knowledge isn’t a weakness, it’s our greatest defense.”
Accidental Beginnings, Meaningful Impact
For another cybersecurity advocate and educator, the journey into cyber began unexpectedly.
While establishing her company to expand awareness around human security and resilience online, Dr. Anuradha Rao, Founder of CyberCognizanz, was encouraged by her father, who works as a security practitioner, to incorporate cybersecurity into her work.
By combining her research on new media technologies with cybersecurity and online safety, she found her purpose in helping people build resilience in the digital world.
She believes women bring essential strengths to the cybersecurity ecosystem.
“Women tend to be empathetic, strong listeners, and service-driven leaders. In technical spaces like cybersecurity, these qualities help balance traditional approaches and bring diverse perspectives into problem solving.”
Her work continues to be motivated by the people she serves, learners, communities, and organisations striving to stay safe online.
Her advice to women entering the field reflects both resilience and authenticity:
- Keep trying until you find your place and your people
- Seek mentors, allies, and supportive communities
- Stay where your contributions are valued
- Speak up for yourself and others
- Invest in communication and leadership skills
And perhaps most importantly:
“Have fun, give back, and make each day meaningful. Life is more than a job title.”
Moving Forward Together
Cybersecurity is one of the most important challenges of our time. The diversity of perspectives within the field strengthens how we approach these challenges and women continue to play a vital role in shaping its future.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who are protecting our digital lives, educating communities, leading innovation, and paving the way for the next generation of cyber defenders.
Their journeys remind us that cybersecurity is not just about technology.
It is about people, purpose, and the shared responsibility of building a safer digital world.
