Zinet Kemal is an accomplished professional who has achieved remarkable success in multiple fields. An immigrant, mother of four, and successful career changer. Zinet is a multi-award-winning cybersecurity practitioner and award-winning children’s book author, speaker, and non-profit board member. She is currently a Cloud Security Engineer for a Fortune 500 organization and a member of the Board Director of a non-profit organization, Black Girls in Cyber, which aims to increase the representation of women of color in entry-level Cybersecurity, Privacy, and STEM careers.
Zinet earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Georgia Tech University. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Law degree (LLB). Her passion for technology, cybersecurity, and education is reflected in her work, which includes the publication of two award-winning children’s books. “Proud in Her Hijab” teaches girls empowerment and inclusivity, while “Oh, No… Hacked Again!” educates kids on online safety and inspires young readers, especially girls, to consider cybersecurity as a meaningful and exciting career option. Her latest release and her 3rd children’s book on cybersecurity careers for the next generation “See Yourself in Cybersecurity” is also an Amazon #1 bestseller.
Zinet’s work to close the diversity gap in the cybersecurity industry has earned her recognition and accolades. She was recently named the 2023 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal 40 under 40 honorees, Recipient of the 2023 Ivan Allen Legacy Awards, Women Who Code Applaud Her Awards in Security, 2022 SC Media Women in IT Security Cyber Advocate, 2022 CyberScoop Most Inspiring Up and Comer, and 2021 Team Women’s WaveMakers Award – Uncharted Territory Honoree, She has also been featured in media outlets such as Good Morning America, 11Alive, and CBS Minnesota – WCCO.
