08 women in cybersecurity who are leading evolution

International Women's Day , celebrated on March 8, is a significant date to reflect not only on achievements throughout history, but also on the persistent challenges they still face in various spheres of society. In this sense, it is a time to celebrate the victories achieved in the struggle for gender equity, including women's advances in cybersecurity.

At the same time, in which the need to continue advancing in areas such as equity in the labor market, education and the recognition of rights. Moreover, in the cybersecurity sector, this reflection is even more important, given the growing impact of technology in our lives.

In the field of cyber security, women have played an increasingly essential role. Not only in data protection and preventing digital threats, but as leaders of technological innovation and creation of safer solutions for digital society.

Moreover, they have been pioneering in developing new defense strategies, contributing new perspectives to solve the complex cyber challenges we face today. However, although the cybersecurity sector is still predominantly male, female presence grows, with more women in leadership positions and technical functions.

Thus, this article celebrates women who are shaping the future of cybersecurity and highlights the importance of more women in this sector. It is important to support and encourage female participation and their highlight in this vital field for the digital future.

Women in cybersecurity: breaking barriers and creating the future

In recent years, the presence of women in the field of technology and cyber security has been stable. For example, ISC2 estimated that the percentage of women in the sector is in the range of 20% to 25% . Moreover, although there is no organization to track this metric specifically, ISC2 numbers coincide with the CyberSecurity Ventures cyber security women report , which revealed that by 2022 women occupied 25% of positions in the cyber security sector globally.

A positive trend is that ISC2 expects this percentage to increase as younger people enter the profession. In this sense, the data showed a higher representation of women in the group of interviewees in the age group of 39 to 44 years (16%), with the percentage growing as age decreases, reaching 26% among professionals under 30 years.

On this International Women's Day, it is essential to recognize the impact of women who lead on the cyber security sector. After all, they not only protect data and systems, but break barriers and inspire new generations of women to enter an important area for the digital future. So, let's get to know them!

1. Cristine Hoepers: National Leadership in Cybersecurity

Cristine Hoepers is one of the most influential women in cybersecurity in Brazil . Resident in São Paulo, she acts as general manager of CERT.br. Coordinating responses to security incidents in the country. An essential role for the protection of Brazilian digital infrastructure. Namely, CERT.br is responsible for monitoring and reacting to cyber incidents that affect both ordinary users and large corporations.

In addition to his executive functions, Cristine has been dedicated to education and awareness of cyber security , through events, workshops and initiatives aimed at training professionals in Brazil. In this sense, her contribution goes beyond technical management: she has been an advocate of strengthening national cybersecurity, ensuring that the country is prepared to face increasingly complex cyber challenges.

2. Tatiana Revorado: pioneer in blockchain and digital security

Tatiana Revorado is one of the great experts in blockchain and digital strategy , emerging fields that are redefining how information is protected and shared. Resident in Sao Paulo, Tatiana is a founding member of Oxford Blockchain Foundation , an institution dedicated to promoting the study and development of blockchain technology.

In addition, as an international speaker and author, Tatiana shares her vast knowledge about how blockchain can be used to create more robust and reliable security solutions in different sectors, from finance to health. In this sense, she is an advocate of technological innovation that aims to transform digital security, making systems more transparent and resilient to attacks.

3. Lucimara will deider: transforming corporate cybersecurity

Lucimara deiderá is a cyber security expert with a career focused on protecting corporate systems and data . Resident in São Paulo, his experience covers from the implementation of good cybersecurity practices to the development of security policies for large organizations. In addition, she played an important role as chairman of the First 32nd Program Committee in 2020, one of the largest global meetings of cyber security professionals.

Desirée is a leader who seeks to promote cyber security in Brazil and abroad , being an essential figure for the dissemination of practices that help companies protect themselves against current digital threats. In this sense, it has vitally contributed to the training of security teams, as well as acting on the implementation of effective defense systems.

4. Carol Bozza: Highlight in the cybersecurity of Latin America

Carol Bozza is recognized as one of the Top Women in Cybersecurity - Latin America and holds the position of Regional Director of Sales at Aqua Security. Resident in Sao Paulo, she has played a key role in developing security in container and cloud environments , one of the main challenges of modern cybersecurity. Even more, in a market where digital attacks are increasingly sophisticated. Carol has been important leadership, helping companies protect their systems and data in the digital environment.

Carol Bozza's presence in cybersecurity is an example of the importance of gender diversity in the sector. In view of this, it has contributed to the development of innovative solutions, while acting to inspire and support women who want to pursue a career in technology.

5. Katie Moussouris: Turning Cyberrsecurity with Bug Bounty programs

Katie Moussouris is one of the pioneers of bounty programs , systems where ethical hackers are rewarded for identifying safety failures in software and systems. Resident in Kirkland, Washington, United States, she is the founder of the Security struggle and has been an advocate of collaborative cybersecurity, encouraging the hacker community to help improve company defenses around the world.

In addition, her experience in the public and private sector, including stints at Microsoft and the US government , made her an influential leader in the elaboration of cyber security policies . In this sense, Katie has contributed significantly to shaping the future of digital security, with a constant focus on the collaboration and strengthening of global defenses .

6. Parisa Tabriz: “Security Princess” from Google

Parisa Tabriz is one of the best known leaders in the security sector , acting as Google Engineering . Resident in Mountain View, California, United States, she is known as “Security Princess” and leads Google Chrome's safety team, the world's most widely used internet browser.

Parisa is an active advocate of gender diversity in the technology industry and uses her platform to inspire other women to get involved in cybersecurity, breaking stereotypes and encouraging the inclusion of more female voices in technology.

7. Eva Galperin: Defender of Digital Privacy

Eva Galperin is the director of cybersecurity at Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) . Resident in San Francisco, California, United States, Eva specializes in protecting data against surveillance and attacks , with a special focus on activist and journalists, who often face digital threats in their work.

It is recognized for its leadership in mass surveillance campaigns as well as a central figure in the protection of digital rights . In this sense, Eva uses his position to educate about the importance of digital privacy, transforming the way people and organizations address the protection of their data into the information age.

8. Joanna Rutkowska: Hardware and Software Security Innovation

Joanna Rutkowska is one of the most respected hardware and software safety experts , having founded Invisible Things Lab. Warsaw resident, Poland, she is the creator of QBES OS , a projected operating system with an emphasis on insulation safety using virtualization to create safe computing environments.

Joanna is a pioneer in the field of cyber security and her research on how to isolate operating systems has become an important reference in protecting sophisticated attacks. Its work continues to influence the way industry thinks about systems security, with innovative solutions that protect data and digital infrastructure.

The role of women in cybersecurity: advances, challenges and inspiration

International Women's Day is not just a celebration of women's achievements, but an opportunity to reflect on the importance of diversity and inclusion, especially in technical areas such as cybersecurity. Women such as Cristine Hoepers, Tatiana Revorado, Desirée Baptista, Carol Bozza, Katie Moussouris, Parisa Tabriz, Eva Galperin, and Joanna Rutkowska have made a significant difference, leading innovations, creating safety solutions and protecting our digital presence.

Despite gender disparities still existing, women's advancement in cybersecurity demonstrates that technology is changing and opening new opportunities. By recognizing and supporting the work of these women, we are helping to build a more equitable and innovative sector.

On this International Women's Day, we celebrate not only these exceptional leaders, but all women who, in each part of the world, are contributing to a safer and more fair digital future.