Women in Cybersecurity Leadership: Inspiring Role Models at the Top

Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of solving problems and driving innovation, especially in STEM. From Ada Lovelace creating the first computer algorithm to Katherine Goble Johnson who calculated and analyzed the flight paths of spacecraft, women have always been pivotal in shaping progress. 

Cybersecurity has grown from a specialized area to a vital industry impacting nearly every part of our daily lives: protecting personal data, securing national infrastructure and online transactions, and ensuring our digital communities’ safety. Yet, despite its increasing significance, women continue to be underrepresented.

Women held 25 percent of cybersecurity jobs globally in 2022, up from 20 percent in 2019 and around 10 percent in 2013. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that women will represent 30 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce by 2025, increasing to 35 percent by 2031.

In today’s fast-evolving landscape of cyber threats, it’s more important than ever that we include women in the conversation on cybersecurity.

With March approaching, and with it, Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8th, we wanted to take a moment to recognize the women in our industry. 

Sarah Armstrong-Smith is the Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft, where she leads cybersecurity efforts across Europe, guiding strategic customers through digital threats and helping organizations build stronger defenses. With a career spanning over two decades, Sarah has worked at several major institutions, including Thames Water, AXA, EY, Fujitsu, and the London Stock Exchange Group. Throughout her career, she has been on the frontlines of significant incidents such as IT failures, data breaches, and corporate fraud.

Sarah is deeply passionate about the human aspects of cybersecurity, particularly building trust and transparency in an increasingly digital world. Her expertise spans crisis management, cybersecurity, and fostering female representation in STEM fields. As a thought leader in the industry, she has authored a book under the name “Understand the Cyber Attacker Mindset: Build a Strategic Security Program to Counteract Threats” and is a highly sought-after speaker at corporate events.

Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including industry awards and recognition as a Fellow of the British Computer Society. Sarah’s contributions continue to shape the future of cybersecurity, and her insights are invaluable to anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of digital security.

Keren Elazari is an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert, researcher, author, and speaker. As a senior researcher at Tel Aviv University’s Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center, Keren focuses on areas such as cyberwarfare and the intersection of security, technology, and society. Her influence extends beyond academia, having worked with leading security firms, government organizations, and Fortune 500 companies.

Keren is perhaps best known for her groundbreaking TED talk on hackers, which has reached millions of viewers worldwide and is one of the most-watched cybersecurity talks on TED.com. She is also the founder of BSidesTLV, Israel’s largest security community event, and the Leading Cyber Ladies network, a global professional network aimed at empowering women in cybersecurity.

In addition to her research and speaking engagements, Keren is a passionate advocate for giving back to the cybersecurity community. She has co-founded two nonprofit initiatives: Leading Cyber Ladies and BSidesTLV, both of which aim to support and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Keren’s dedication to ethical hacking and cybersecurity education has made her a prominent voice in the field.

This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of our very own CEO. Ning Wang is the CEO of OffSec, where she leads the company’s culture, vision, strategy, and execution. With over 20 years of experience in leadership and operations, Ning has held key executive roles, including COO, CFO, and CTO, at fast-growing companies like HackerOne and lynda.com. Her expertise spans company building, operations, fundraising, and M&A, making her a dynamic leader committed to driving growth and innovation at OffSec.

Originally from China, Ning earned her undergraduate degree in physics before moving to the United States, where she completed a Ph.D. in physics at UC Berkeley. Early in her academic and professional journey, she navigated male-dominated fields, a challenge she has carried with her into her work today, where she is passionate about narrowing the talent gap in security and empowering women in tech and cybersecurity.

In addition to her role at OffSec, Ning has worked at McKinsey & Co., bringing valuable strategic insight and problem-solving experience to her leadership style. She is committed to building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of excellence at OffSec.

Kirsten Davies is a globally recognized leader in technology, cybersecurity, and digital innovation. Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Cyber, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the safety, security, privacy, and digital integrity of citizens’ experiences with technology, AI, and digital data. The Institute provides cutting-edge cybersecurity education, research, and policy advocacy, leveraging best practices from Fortune 500 companies to empower individuals navigating the digital world.

Kirsten’s extensive career spans multiple continents and industries, having held prominent roles including Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Unilever and The Estee Lauder Companies, as well as Managing Director and Corporate Security Officer for Barclays Africa Group (now ABSA). She has also served as Global Deputy CISO for Hewlett Packard Enterprises and Siemens, and held leadership positions at Booz Allen Hamilton and Deloitte Australia.

With a background in International Politics & Government, as well as coursework in International Law, Business, and Human Rights from Johns Hopkins University, Kirsten blends leadership with a deep understanding of global security, technology, and business transformation. She has been instrumental in driving large-scale cyber and information security initiatives, technology transformations, and critical infrastructure security across several major global organizations.

A passionate advocate for several non-profits and women’s initiatives, Kirsten supports organizations such as the A21 Campaign, NURU, the NOMI Network, Women in Technology, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Her advocacy for public-private partnerships and the ethical use of technology reflects her commitment to protecting individuals’ rights in the digital age.

Lakshmi Hanspal is the Chief Trust Officer at DigiCert, where she leads efforts in regulatory compliance, data protection, and risk management, ensuring the integrity, security, and privacy of customer data. With over 28 years of experience in technology and information security, including 16 years in financial services and payments, Lakshmi has built a distinguished career championing digital transformation and cybersecurity.

A recognized leader in her field, Lakshmi has held senior positions at companies such as Amazon, Box, and SAP, where she was responsible for Trust and Security at scale. Her expertise in information security, risk management, and privacy, combined with her ability to engage and collaborate with C-suite executives, has allowed her to successfully secure buy-in for key security initiatives and drive positive outcomes for organizations.

Lakshmi is also a passionate advocate for women in technology, dedicating herself to advancing female talent and promoting diversity in technical leadership. As a member of the Board of Advisors at the University of California, Merced, and an active investor and advisor in Silicon Valley’s technology ecosystem, she works to foster the next generation of diverse, skilled professionals. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Boston University and is deeply committed to delivering secure, intelligent customer experiences in a connected world while advocating for socially responsible commerce.

Rachel Tobac is a hacker and the CEO of SocialProof Security, a company that specializes in training and pentesting organizations on social engineering threats. Her expertise lies in teaching companies how to protect themselves from attacks that exploit human behavior. Rachel’s career in hacking began with a remarkable achievement—winning second place in DEF CON’s Social Engineering Competition for three consecutive years.

Before venturing into hacking, Rachel studied Neuroscience and Behaviorism, and worked as a special needs educator and UX researcher. While these fields may seem unrelated to hacking, the skills she developed in Applied Behavioral Analysis have become key to her success in social engineering.

Rachel has contributed her expertise to national cybersecurity initiatives as a member of the CISA Technical Advisory Council under Director Jen Easterly. She has also gained widespread recognition for her real-world hacking stories, which have been featured on major platforms such as The New York Times, 60 Minutes, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, NPR, CNN, and NBC Nightly News.

In addition to her work at SocialProof Security, Rachel serves as Chair of the Board for Women in Security and Privacy (WISP), a nonprofit organization focused on advancing women in the cybersecurity and privacy fields. She continues to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders while sharing her passion for social engineering and cybersecurity.

Michelle Zatlyn is a Canadian businesswoman and the co-founder, president, and chief operating officer of Cloudflare, a leading content delivery network provider and cybersecurity firm. In addition to her role at Cloudflare, she serves as a board member for the Australian software company Atlassian, having joined in September 2021. Michelle is also a member of the cybersecurity team at the Aspen Institute, where she contributes her expertise to advancing the field.

Recognized for her achievements, Michelle has been named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list and was featured in Marie Claire’s 7th Annual New Guard. She holds a B.S. degree with distinction from McGill University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where she was awarded the prestigious Dubilier Prize for Entrepreneurship.

As a trailblazer in the tech and cybersecurity sectors, Michelle has been instrumental in shaping Cloudflare’s success and continues to make an impact through her leadership and contributions to the broader cybersecurity community.

Wendy Thomas is the CEO of Secureworks, a global leader in cybersecurity. With over 25 years of experience, Wendy has played a crucial role in driving the company’s growth and success. She joined Secureworks in 2008, initially taking on key leadership roles in finance, strategy, product development, and customer success. Her deep understanding of the business and her strategic vision culminated in her appointment as CEO in 2021.

Before becoming CEO, Wendy held several pivotal roles, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Product Officer, and Vice President of Strategy and M&A. She was instrumental in leading the company’s initial public offering and driving the development of the Secureworks Taegis platform, solidifying the company’s position as a cybersecurity powerhouse.

Wendy’s leadership is marked by a strong customer-centric approach, innovation, and a commitment to operational excellence. Her extensive experience across technology-driven companies such as FirstData, BellSouth, and Internap Network Services has equipped her with the strategic insight needed to navigate the complexities of the cybersecurity landscape and lead Secureworks into its next phase of growth.

As we celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in cybersecurity, it’s important to recognize the transformative impact they have had on the industry and the progress still to be made. Yet, despite these advancements, there remains a significant opportunity to further empower and include women in this vital field, especially as the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals surges globally.

At OffSec, we’re committed to advancing women in cybersecurity through our ShePwns initiative, an effort designed to empower, inspire, and provide opportunities for women to excel in this industry. With various events, and a chance to win a Learn One subscription, ShePwns offers a platform for women to not only gain invaluable skills but also connect with like-minded individuals passionate about making an impact. As part of this initiative, we invite you to participate in upcoming events, including our exciting ShePwns Twitch stream and LinkedIn giveaway, as we continue to promote diversity, equality, and empowerment in the cybersecurity space.Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by supporting the next generation of women leaders in cybersecurity. Visit ShePwns for more information on how you can get involved.