Women in IT Security

Says Rosso of her early days as a sports reporter: “I was treated extraordinarily unprofessionally by many of the coaches who didn’t think a young woman who was a graduate from college should be doing this work. Little did they know that I’m very tenacious.”

Mitchell, a former software engineer and author of more than 40 technology patents, enjoys finding unique ways to solve challenges.

Fabiszak credits one of her early mentors in cybersecurity who pushed her to push the limits every time – she keeps doing that today, yet also encourages her team members to find the right work-life balance.

When Wendi Whitmore applied to the Air Force’s Office of Special Investigations, she was told that it wasn’t a role for her – Whitmore went on to conduct major computer crimes investigations for the Air Force and now heads up Unit 42, a leading threat research and incident response organization.

“When I find powerhouse women in the AI space, I latch onto them like a little magnet,” said Liaghati.

Risk-management specialist and security evangelist Chasserae Coyne, a 2023 Women in IT Security honoree, knows the value of communicating difficult topics with clarity and of speaking out when it's necessary.

Schwamb says it's apparent that she belongs at the table when she begins discussing a cybersecurity incident.