Representation matters. Women, particularly women of color, are largely underrepresented in the cybersecurity workforce. I am here to help change that. I decided on the moniker Cyb(H)er Ally because it fit. I’m big on words and looking up meanings—so I’ll share this one from good old Merriam-Webster. “Ally (2): one that is associated with another as a helper: a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity, or struggle.” Bingo. As a collaborative Cybersecurity Leader, I work to: 1. Advocate for more diversity. I see diversity is an asset. Diverse teams, process and problem solve more creatively leading to unconventional and innovative solutions. 2. Confront the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. The inclusion of more women in cybersecurity is critical. I am committed to supporting aspiring cybersecurity professionals as they enter and navigate the cybersecurity space. 3. Facilitate cybersecurity cultural transformations within organizations. I understand the how to and importance of assessing and bridging the cultural gap to mitigate vulnerabilities. Organizations with weak cybersecurity cultures are more vulnerable to cyber breaches, data loss, regulatory penalties, missed business opportunities and customer retention. Additionally, with nearly 20 years of experience in cybersecurity within the Department of Defense as an active-duty military member and now as an aerospace & defense cyber leader within a leading Fortune 500 organization, I offer perspectives from both a theoretical and a practical, real-world application of successful cybersecurity program execution including: - Risk analysis & management - Process/system improvements - Performance & effective metric analysis - Vulnerability assessments - Audit gap analysis & remediation - Standards & compliance - Customer engagement