Organised by Eskenzi PR in media partnership with the IT Security Guru, the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards aim to shed light on the remarkable women in our industry. The following is a feature on one of 2024’s Top 20 women selected by an esteemed panel of judges. Presented in a Q&A format, the nominee’s answers are written in their own words with minor edits made by the editor for readability and where relevant, supplemented with additional commentary by their nominator.
In 2024, the awards were sponsored by BT, Think Cybersecurity Ltd. and Plexal, with Eskenzi PR, Assured and Women in Cybersecurity UK & Ireland Affiliate as partners.
What does your job role entail?
Overall I consider myself a community specialist when it comes to cyber security. I have quite a few additional roles on top of being the founder of WiTCH, but they all have the theme of bringing cybersecurity professionals together to make the industry a better place, especially from a cultural point of view.
I founded WiTCH not only to create a safe space for women who were looking to join industry but also to help the women who were currently working in industry. Our focus is about support and working together to make actionable changes to inclusivity in and around tech.
As a founder of a small company, especially as a not-for-profit, I do it all, from Project Manager to fundraising and partner management. My favourite part of my job though is the events and community engagement. Being able to bring people together and get them talking is magical for me, and the amount of variety that I get from event to event means no two events are exactly the same. I really wouldn’t have it any other way.
How did you get into the cybersecurity industry?
I have always been a hobbyist when it comes to cyber security, and I actually met my partner of 10 years at DEFCON. However, I never really thought I would work in the industry. I have always had a passion for the social aspect—such as social engineering—but personally never thought I would work in cybersecurity as I often deem myself non-technical.
After working in finance and pensions, mostly in administrative roles, I decided to become an independent financial advisor during lockdown. Turns out that was definitely not a good fit and after going through most of the exams started looking for something else.
My partner was actually the one who suggest I apply for a job at a cyber security innovation space and I started working with them to give business guidance to small businesses. During that time I loved talking to people and companies who used the space from the challenges start-ups were facing to the challenges of the people working in industry especially other women. This led me first to re-create BSides Cheltenham, a conference on its third year and has grown from 200 people to 500 and then creating WiTCH or the Women in Tech and Cyber Hub.
I still won’t say I am technical, however I do say I am just technical enough to break things. I have found myspace owning my entrepreneurial and operational side to help change cyber security for the better.
What is one of the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman in the tech/cyber industry and how did you overcome it?
Owning my space, especially as I do not have a degree or qualification and joining the sector later, I am often my own worst enemy. I don’t think I will ever overcome my imposter syndrome, however there are three things that have definitely helped me work through it –
1. Understanding that if I don’t take the space someone else will. I used to get really upset about being invited to speak just because I was a woman, however I realised that it is an opportunity for me to own that space, make sure I am heard.
2. Realising a lot of what creates imposter syndrome is systematic and I can work on changing that. Whether is creating hyper-completive work environments for women because there is a perceived notion that historically there has only ever been 1 out of 6 c level positions filled by a woman, or internalising that happens when girls can’t code or aren’t good at math because that is what we heard during our formative years is a systematic problem not a personal problem.
3. Finally, is a conversation I will never forget. I was talking to someone who I am now really close with, who was saying how much they looked up to me and what great work I was doing (paraphrased obviously) and me down playing it and saying it wasn’t anything and that I wasn’t doing anything special. She looked at me and said, I know that’s not how you see yourself, but when you diminish what you are doing how do you think that makes those who are looking at you as an example feel. You are calling them a liar, which has really stuck with me.
What are you doing to support other women, and/or to increase diversity, in the tech/cyber industry?
I have obviously created WiTCH with the sole purpose of supporting women, we have monthly meetups, mentorship programs and really working hard to expand knowledge sharing.
The one thing that I try to do is put diversity at the forefront of my other jobs as well. As community manager for Bristol and Bath Cyber, I was lucky enough to run my first trial of program called Confidently Cyber which was a free two day workshop to help women feel more comfortable with public speaking and increase the number of role models what are out speaking in cyber security. I also work closely with Cyber First as part of this role and looking how I can promote opportunities for girls at a younger age to engage with the ecosystem.
I am also a neurodiversity champion, working to raise awareness of neurodiversity, and more importantly how to support those who are neurodiverse in cyber security. Whether that is through public speaking or a partnership with Inclusive Change to provide Neurodiversity Workshops to cyber security companies.
What is one piece of advice you would give to girls/women looking to enter the cybersecurity industry?
Embrace your curiosity! I always say that I could teach any one the technical aspects of cyber security, but I can’t teach is the innate curiosity that creates passion for cyber security. Whether it keeps you continuously learning about new exploits orthe motivation to finding that vulnerablility after running into metaphorical wall 50 times curiousity is fundemental for cyber security. Not just for the technical either, from a non-technical aspect being curious can find new and innovative ways to get engagement for cyber security training or more effective ways for client management.
The post #MIWIC2024: Illyana Mullins, Founder of WiTCH (Women in Tech and Cyber Hub CIC) first appeared on IT Security Guru.
The post #MIWIC2024: Illyana Mullins, Founder of WiTCH (Women in Tech and Cyber Hub CIC) appeared first on IT Security Guru.