Empowering Women in Cybersecurity: Shattering Stereotypes and Breaking Barriers
In the fast and ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, Barrier is proud to shine a spotlight on some incredible women who are forging their path in the world of cybersecurity.
In this interview-style blog post, we bring you candid conversations with Fiona Kinser (Account Manager), Sneha Saktivel (SOC Analyst) and Dr Eilidh Harrison (Project Manager), discussing important topics and personal stories of their experience working in the cybersecurity industry.
By sharing these experiences, we aim to showcase and inspire women across the globe and provide valuable insights from Women In Cyber.
““Don’t be afraid to take on challenges and advocate for yourself, as women have a valuable role to play in shaping the future of cybersecurity.””
What initially sparked your interest in cybersecurity, and how did your journey lead you to your current role at Barrier?
Fiona: I've actually worked in Technology for 35 years! So I've seen many changes over the years. Thankfully I enjoy change and have watched the industry evolve. Barrier was the first Cyber Security business that I had come across about 10 years ago. My interest peaked within this area after reading about how prominent cyber-attacks were happening, and I wanted to help in protecting business data, infrastructure, assets and their people.
Eilidh: Back in 2020, I was a final-year Ph.D. candidate in Philosophy researching the development and value of emotional experience. One particular area that I was interested in concerned our emotional experiences in response to fictional or virtual stimuli. I was curious as to whether the emotions that we experience when faced with, say, a frightening fictional villain or the prospect of stepping off of a cliff-edge in a virtual reality program could be reasonably identified as the same type of fear experience undergone when faced with a real-life threat. I found this intersection of technology and human response to be fascinating. From here, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in technology – broadly speaking – but I also wanted to work in a field suffused with human elements and considerations, too. Cybersecurity, immediately, seemed like a great fit. Increasingly, discussions of global and local cybersecurity were becoming much more salient in the wake of significant cyber-attacks reported in mainstream media, and I became interested in the discourse surrounding what people typically refer to as ‘the human factors’ of information security.
Sneha: My journey into the field of technology and cybersecurity began when I pursued a Bachelor's degree in BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Networks. During my studies, I was recognised as the best-performing student in level 3, and this award was sponsored by Barrier Networks. As a gesture of gratitude, I had the opportunity to engage in a Zoom call with the Barrier Networks team, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. This interaction allowed me to explore various roles within the company and sparked my interest in the SOC analyst position. Upon further exploration and a successful interview process, I joined Barrier Networks immediately after graduation and have been an integral part of the SOC team since then.
For women who are interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, what advice would you give them?
Fiona: Go for it! Whether you have an interest in Computing, Gaming, Forensics, IT or Sales, this is genuinely a great industry to be involved in. The Cyber industry has a lot going on, and I've found it to be very inclusive and helpful.
Eilidh: The main piece of advice I would give is to identify your area of interest and your value. So much of what makes a compelling application in cybersecurity – and, indeed, in any industry – is the narrative of the journey. What are your strengths? Why are you pursuing a role in the industry? How has your previous experience, in education or in previous jobs, led you here? What value can you, as a person and an employee, bring to an organisation in cybersecurity? You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going or where you’d like to be, but having solid and persuasive answers to these questions will help you identify the best means of starting your journey.
Sneha: My advice to women interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity would be to embrace continuous learning and seek out diverse experiences within the field. Invest in acquiring technical skills through certifications and hands-on training. Network with professionals in the industry and seek mentorship from experienced individuals who can guide and support your career growth. Don't be afraid to take on challenges and advocate for yourself, as women have a valuable role to play in shaping the future of cybersecurity.
““I wish I had started in cybersecurity earlier!””
In what ways has Barrier fostered an inclusive and supportive environment?
Fiona: Barrier's people come first. We embrace diversity. It’s refreshing to work for a company that not only applaud success, but offer help when needed, and foster well-being. Barrier have a strong Management Team who support progression and interested personally in each of us. They actively encourage empowerment to the woman who work for the business.
Eilidh: From the very beginning of my journey in cybersecurity, Barrier encouraged and enabled me to contribute to the success of the business in a multitude of ways; from identifying my strengths and interests at an early stage and shaping the role to capitalise on these, to facilitating a working pattern and routine that supports my responsibilities both within and beyond my professional life. The culture at Barrier is incredibly supportive, and, in my view, this employee-centric approach to hiring and enabling staff is one of the cornerstones of their success.
Sneha: Being the only woman on the SOC team has been an empowering experience. I never felt isolated or different from my male colleagues. Instead, the team embraced me with open arms and created a welcoming environment that fostered collaboration and respect. I believe that diversity is a valuable asset in any workplace, and my presence on the team has added unique perspectives and ideas. Barrier Networks has cultivated a culture of inclusivity and support, which has enabled me to thrive professionally and personally.
What is your vision for the future of women in cybersecurity and what steps can the industry take to make that vision a reality?
Fiona: [My vision for the future is that] all channels for women in education and business are open. With company policies in place, protecting women, there should be no obstacles or barriers for women progressing in cybersecurity. Encouragement is required from early years to show women that they can achieve anything, and go all the way to the top.
Sneha: My vision for the future of women in cybersecurity is to see a significant increase in their representation and leadership roles within the industry. To make this vision a reality, the cybersecurity industry should focus on fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. This can be achieved through implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, providing mentorship and sponsorship programs, promoting female role models, and offering flexible work policies.
If you could go back and give yourself a piece of advice when starting your career in cybersecurity, what would it be?
Eilidh: One of the biggest challenges I faced at the beginning of my career was self-imposed: I found myself wrestling with self-doubt as a result of considering myself an anomaly within the industry. Not only was I conscious that I was typically the only woman in the room, but, more often than not, I was the only person present that didn’t come from a technical background. Imposter syndrome is, of course, well-documented; feeling as though you’re the only fraud amongst a crowd of competent people is a phenomenon reported on and experienced by many – regardless as to one’s gender or background – but it can feel particularly powerful when you don’t consider yourself to ‘fit the mould’ of what the typical employee looks like within your industry. This is the piece of advice I’d give to my past self: Recognise those feelings for what they are: fleeting moments generated by subconscious (and often false) pre-conceptions about what the typical or ‘ideal’ employee looks like – they are in no way reflective of your actual abilities and competency.
From your perspective, what exciting developments and opportunities lie ahead for women in the cyber industry?
Eilidh: In my view, one of the most exciting future directions in cybersecurity concerns the broader goal of incorporating insights from different disciplines into the industry. I think that there’s a good case for believing that embedding interdisciplinary practices and perspectives within cybersecurity will, naturally, provide multiple entry points for individuals from different backgrounds. Encouraging and enabling women to pursue a career in cyber through the more traditional routes, such as technical degrees and certifications, is – of course – extremely important, but so is infusing the industry with alternative paths and specialisations such that we can attract a broader and more diverse range of professionals.
Sneha: The future holds immense promise for women in the cyber industry. As organisations prioritise diversity, there will be increasing opportunities for women to take on leadership roles, contribute to strategic decision-making, and drive innovation. The growing demand for cybersecurity professionals presents a vast array of career paths for women, including threat hunting, AI-driven security, and securing emerging technologies like IoT and cloud computing.
““In my view, one of the most exciting future directions in cybersecurity concerns the broader goal of incorporating insights from different disciplines into the industry.””
Are there any initiatives or programs you’re involved in or aware of that are dedicated to promoting and supporting women in cyber?
Fiona: In Scotland, [The] Scottish Government work in association with Empowering you and the Scottish Digital Academy in a unique leadership programme - Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security in Scotland. ScotlandIS have a Women in Cyber Committee and run initiatives such as Women Do Cyber (a collaboration between SWiT, Cisco and Glasgow Caledonian University). I have personally been involved in this, discussing how companies can support women through menopause, and keeping well trained and intelligent women in the business.
Eilidh: Currently, I follow the Scotland Women in Cyber group, which hosts regular events (e.g., conferences, workshops, fireside chats, etc.) with the aim of facilitating a community of female cyber professionals and leaders in Scotland. This group provides opportunities for valuable networking and knowledge-share amongst like-minded people, and I couldn’t recommend it enough for women interested in learning more about working in cybersecurity. I’ve also found LinkedIn to be a valuable resource when it comes to searching for women’s groups in Cyber. One notable mention goes to Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) – although this group is based in the United States, there are a lot of great webinars and online resources highlighted that can provide valuable insights and advice concerning careers in cybersecurity.
How can the cybersecurity industry better attract and retain women in technical roles?
Fiona: We need more female role models. Only 18% of CIO/CTO's are women. More can be done on the gender pay gap, and following and embracing their own internal policies. Women need more support at different times in their lives whether it be during a crisis, having a family, divorce, gynaecology issues, menopause, etc. Cyber industry advocates need to continue to encourage school leavers, college and university students and those working already in IT departments.
Sneha: To attract and retain women in technical roles, the cybersecurity industry should promote awareness, showcase diverse role models, create supportive workplaces, offer flexible work policies, provide mentorship, address biases, offer training programs, encourage networking, recognise achievements, and collaborate with educational institutions.
What do you think the industry will look like in the next 30 years, regarding women in the cyber sector?
Sneha: In the next 30 years, I envision a cyber industry that celebrates gender diversity and offers equal opportunities for women to lead, innovate, and shape the landscape of cybersecurity. With ongoing efforts to break down gender barriers and stereotypes, women will hold more leadership positions and contribute significantly to the industry's growth. By then, I hope to see a thriving community of empowered women driving cybersecurity advancements and ensuring a safer digital world for all.