A woman with long dark hair wearing glasses.

Tell us more about how you found cyber as a career

After spending years working in the entertainment industry with Chris Tarrant of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” fame, I transitioned into cyber security in 2009 when I joined Titania Ltd, a cyber security software development company founded by my ex-wife Amy Whiting. I was already exposed to the world of cyber security through Amy and the work that she did as a penetration tester/ethical hacker, and I had a huge interest and fascination in cyberpsychology, the human element of cyber security and social engineering which stood me in great stead when I transitioned into the industry.

I was also one of the first members of the Malvern Cyber Security Cluster which I believe was the first cyber cluster in the UK and is now called Midlands Cyber today, and I took part in the Corporate Executive Programme (CEP) in 2010 run by the Council’s Interim CEO Dr Claudia Natanson MBE, which was where I first met her. Today, Claudia remains a huge inspiration to me in the cyber security industry.

In 2015 I spotted a gap for a trade association that was dedicated solely to cyber security, and the UK Cyber Security Association was born. In 2021 it rebranded to Cyber Security Unity and exists to foster greater collaboration in the cyber security industry to help combat the growing cyber threat. In addition to this I am a cyber security awareness trainer, culture change manager and communications professional, and I’ve worked with a variety of organisations in my career including at the UK Cyber Security Council in 2021/2022. I also raise awareness of a wide range of key topics in the cyber security industry including neurodiversity in cyber security, managing stress and burnout, attracting more women into cyber security careers, combatting bullying and abuse in the cyber security industry, closing the cyber skills gap, artificial intelligence and cyber security, and fixing cyber security’s image problem

What were the key transferable skills from your previous career that fit with cyber?

I am a born awareness raiser, and as someone who is neurodivergent (diagnosed with autism and ADHD), I have a strong sense of justice. I have therefore used this to raise as much awareness as possible about some of the key topics and trends in the cyber security industry, and to raise awareness of the importance of taking cyber security seriously in all areas of life.

I also love creating communities, and fostering greater collaboration through those communities, and those skills stood me in excellent stead when I founded Cyber Security Unity (formerly the UK Cyber Security Association) in 2015. Some of the skills I learned and honed during my time in the entertainment industry included negotiation skills, critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, resilience management, leadership skills and the ability to spot organisational risks. These are skills that I use every day in my work at Cyber Security Unity.

What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?

I get rewarded every day that I raise awareness of the growing cyber threat, especially to small businesses and some SME’s who in 2024 still don’t see the need to take cyber security seriously. Founding Cyber Security Unity (formerly the UK Cyber Security Association) has been a career highlight, but a standout moment was receiving an MBE from King Charles III in his 2023 birthday honours list for services to cyber security and diversity/inclusion, as well as receiving a “Highly Commended” award in the “Cyber Security Citizen of the Year” category in this year’s National Cyber Awards. Nothing can top that for me.

What one bit of advice or knowledge would you give to someone considering a career in cyber?

I would say that the ability to continuously learn and adapt is more important than mastering any single tool or technology. Cyber security is constantly evolving, with new threats, technologies, and solutions emerging all the time. Stay curious, keep honing your critical thinking skills, and be proactive about expanding your knowledge. This adaptability will not only make you more resilient in a fast-paced environment, but it will also keep your career exciting and future-proof.

How has the industry changed since you started in it?

The industry has changed a lot since I embarked on a career in cyber in 2009. I was a member of the Malvern Cyber Security Cluster, which I believe was the first cluster to be launched in the UK and is now Midlands Cyber today. Of course, we now have a thriving number of cyber security clusters across the UK overseen by UKC3.

There were also very few women in the cyber security industry back then, and while the number of women has increased since 2009, it is disappointing to see that the percentage of women in cyber security roles has decreased. This was corroborated by the ministerial keynote at DTX in London last week where Baroness Jones pointed out the lack of women in senior cyber roles. I believe we need more diversity, less artificial barriers and more genuinely entry level jobs in cyber security, something I know that the UK Cyber Security Council is working hard to raise awareness of.

About Lisa Ventura MBE

Lisa Ventura MBE is an award-winning cyber security specialist, published writer/author, and keynote speaker. She is the Founder of Cyber Security Unity, a global community organisation that is dedicated to bringing individuals and organisations together who actively work in cyber security to help combat the growing cyber threat. As a consultant Lisa also works with cyber security leadership teams to help them work together more effectively and provides cyber security awareness and culture training, and training on the benefits of hiring those who are neurodivergent.

She has specialist knowledge in the human factors of cyber security, cyberpsychology, neurodiversity and AI in cyber. In 2023 Lisa was awarded an MBE in King Charles III’s birthday honours list for services to cyber security and diversity/inclusion. More information about Lisa can be found on www.lisaventura.co.uk or www.csu.org.uk.