Top 25 leaders in cybersecurity

Top 25 leaders in cybersecurity ….

It has been surreal to be named as one of the Top 25 leaders in cybersecurity for 2024 by CS Hub …. among security leaders i look up to from corporate governance, to cyber defense, ethical hacking & more across the globe.

It has been a blessed year full of milestones, opportunities & growth as I am pivoting from doing one impactful thing to another.

However I also want to reflect back on my journey in to the industry as a career changer. I also get a ton of this question from a bunch of folks.

What better way to tell it other than a brief timeline.

2013 - emigrated to the US from Ethiopia, 7 months pregnant with baby #2. Went back to college to pursue tech from scratch coming from legal career.

2016 - Graduated with an AS degree in computer programming & transferred to a four-year university. Simultaneously, doing IT internship at the local government with 3 young kiddos.

2017- As an undergrad senior, I discovered my passion for cybersecurity through a collegiate cyber defense competition (CCDC), proudly representing my university.

2018 - Certified in Network+ and Security+ certifications. After 3 IT internships, I landed my first full-time job in IT/IS audit. Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.

2019 - Certified in Cysa+ and CISA. welcomed baby #4 to the family, and began a grad school at Georgia Tech, specializing in cybersecurity.

2020 - Transitioned to a new job as an Information Security Engineer in state government. Earned a promotion to a senior role within 6 months. Certified in AWS CCP.

2021 - Achieved CCSK certification and proudly self-published my first children's book, "Proud in Her Hijab." Embraced a new role in cloud security engineering at a Fortune 500 organization. More certifications, including SANS GCLD and KCNA. Honored with two prestigious professional awards.

2022- Published my second children's book, "Oh, No... Hacked Again!" Added another AWS Solutions Architect certification. Earned more recognition, winning three more cybersecurity awards. Made my first keynote speech & shared my journey through various articles, podcasts, and news media.

2023 - Graduated with a master's degree in cybersecurity, first generation. Delivered my first TEDx Talk, creating my first LinkedIn course. Honored as a "40 under 40" recipient and 4 more awards, published another bestseller, my 3rd children’s book "See Yourself in Cybersecurity.” As well as published an anthology with other 15 brilliant black women in cyber collective “Securing Our Future”

And like I always say …

the best is yet to come.

There are no overnight success …

As much as you long for the end results, learn to embrace the process, the challenges & the temporary sacrifices.

Keep winning y’all

Thank you for reading!

Check out my children's books on cybersecurity careers and online safety. As well as my first TEDx talk on Hack-Proofing Childhood: Ensuring our children's online safety.

Learn more about me & my career and connect with me on Linkedin.

Wicys - Top 25 Leaders in Cybersecurity