Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Meet Rachel Kelly Deputy Chief of the Cybersecurity Shared Services Office at CISA.
Happy Cybersecurity AwarenessMonth! In partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, all month long we’re featuring some amazing women making waves in the #Cybersecurity field. Today, we’re featuring Rachel Kelly Deputy Chief, Cybersecurity Shared Services Office at CISA. Check out our exclusive Q and A with her below.
Why do you think young women should consider a career in cybersecurity? What advice would you give to girls who are interested in a cybersecurity career?
Aside from the obvious checkboxes like competitive pay and job security, a career in cybersecurity offers a dynamic and often exciting day-to-day with a chance to truly have impact and make a difference. With the diversity of careers and needed skill sets in cybersecurity and public service, as my personal path has demonstrated, there is no typical course to follow. I think it is critically important to know that with the constant evolution within the field, there are virtually limitless possibilities, and you just need to dive in and don’t look back; you must be willing to put yourself out there. Once you are out there, the help and support you’ll receive from other women in the field will be contagious; with such lopsided representation, I, among others, see it as a duty to lend a hand to those just starting out in the field.
What challenges have you encountered in the cybersecurity field as a woman?
The biggest challenges I have faced in the cybersecurity field is being slighted or judged due to bias. My expertise is still underestimated because I do not fit the typical image of a cybersecurity expert. That said, I know I have worked hard to get my seat at the table, so I continue to take up space, contribute my knowledge and my insights.
How important is cybersecurity as it relates to our everyday lives? What basic cyber hygiene practices can we implement in our daily routine? What tips can you share with young women and girls about staying safe online?
The world is increasingly digital and dependent on the Internet and technology and cybersecurity plays a critical role in safeguarding our digital well-being. We need cybersecurity so that we can live our lives without putting our personal or organizational information and data, such as trade secrets, intellectual property, and sensitive government information, at risk for exploitation. Cybersecurity is not solely the responsibility of technology experts or organizations; it empowers individuals to protect themselves and actively contribute to a safer digital environment. Easy habits to adopt include creating secure passwords, remembering to patch your devices, understanding privacy data settings, and not sharing your personal information. Young women and girls, especially those who are interested in the cybersecurity field, must recognize the importance of cyber hygiene and be leaders among their peers in embracing best practices. By enabling the next generation of women who are adept at navigating the digital world with confidence and cultivating a cybersecurity-conscious mindset, they will be empowered contributors to a safer and more secure future.
Stay tuned and follow us all month long to learn more about inspiring leaders in cyber.
