Zinet Kemal, is an immigrant from Ethiopia, a mother of four, a career changer from the legal field, a multi-award-winning cybersecurity advocate, a TEDx speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor, & 3x published award-winning children’s book author.

Zinet is a Georgia Tech University graduate with a M.S. degree in Cybersecurity. She earned a B.S. degree in Computer Science and LLB degree in Law. She currently works for a Fortune 500 organization as a Cloud Security Engineer. Her children’s books, 'Proud in Her Hijab', champions girls’ empowerment, and “Oh, No … Hacked Again!” teaches children about the importance of online safety and sparks interest in young readers to consider cybersecurity as an exciting meaningful career option. ‘See Yourself in Cybersecurity’ an international Amazon #1 bestseller and a two times award winner for middle and high schoolers, highlighting the various cybersecurity careers that await the next generation of trailblazers. Through her words, Zinet empowers young minds to envision themselves as the cyber heroes of tomorrow.

Zinet is also the co-author of “Securing Our Future” with black women in the cyber collective. Zinet is the recipient of the 2024 Most Inspiring Women in Cyber, 2023 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 40 under 40, the CS Hub Top 25 cybersecurity leader for 2024, the 2023 Ivan Allen Legacy Award from Graduate school, winner of the 2023 SANS Difference Makers Award under Best Book of the Year, Women Who Code Applaud Her Awards in Security, 2022 SC media women in IT Security Cyber Advocate, CyberScoop Most Inspiring Up & Comer, 2021 Team Women’s WaveMakers Award – Unchartered Territory.

Bio

She was featured on Good Morning America, 11Alive, BBC, Yahoo! News, Abc news, CBS Minnesota – WCCO, & AFROTECH. As well as a guest on a number of cybersecurity podcasts.