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Celebrating Excellence in Cybersecurity
The Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards, organized by Eskenzi PR in partnership with IT Security Guru, recognize outstanding women shaping the cybersecurity industry. The 2025 awards, backed by major sponsors like BT, KnowBe4, Mimecast, and Varonis, highlight the achievements of female professionals who are driving innovation and breaking barriers in tech. Among this year’s top honorees is a trailblazer leading Microsoft’s Red Team, revolutionizing red teaming as a strategic security pillar.
Her journey is one of perseverance, transformation, and a relentless drive to make cybersecurity more inclusive, efficient, and future-ready.
A Strategic Role in Cybersecurity
As Chief of Staff for Microsoft Red Team, she plays a crucial role in redefining modern red teaming—moving it from technical operations to a core security strategy that influences Microsoft’s broader security vision. She drives initiatives that uncover micro-level vulnerabilities with massive implications, leveraging AI and the Security Graph to evolve from traditional security assessments to a self-healing security model.
Beyond Microsoft, she is shaping the cybersecurity ecosystem by accelerating remediation strategies and enabling a collective defense approach for industry-wide resilience.
A Serendipitous Path into Cybersecurity
Her journey into cybersecurity was unplanned yet inevitable. Born in a small town in Bulgaria, she left home with only $50 and a dream, tirelessly working nights and weekends to build her skills. Despite exhaustion, financial struggles, and self-doubt, she never gave up.
A surprise opportunity in cybersecurity changed her life, proving that sometimes the most unexpected paths lead to our true calling. Her story is a testament to persistence, adaptability, and courage—qualities that define great cybersecurity leaders.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in a Male-Dominated Industry
One of her biggest challenges was battling imposter syndrome—feeling like she didn’t belong in the tech world. Early in her career, she attempted to blend in, adopting the mannerisms and styles of her male colleagues just to be taken seriously.
Her turning point came when she embraced her unique story and authenticity. Inspired by pioneering women in cybersecurity, she realized that her diverse background and perspective were her greatest strengths. Now, she actively encourages other women to step into leadership roles without compromising who they are.
Championing Women in Cybersecurity
Committed to increasing diversity and inclusion, she serves on advisory boards for organizations like OWASP Seattle, EC-Council CEH, and ISACA Puget Sound. As Co-Founder of Women in Tech Global and a leader within Microsoft Women in Security, she fosters a global network of women in cybersecurity.
Through mentorship, career coaching, and innovative cybersecurity education initiatives like The Hacking Games, she is ensuring that the next generation of female cybersecurity professionals has access to the tools, guidance, and opportunities needed to succeed.
Inspiration for the Future
Her inspiration comes from women who boldly step into spaces where they were never expected to belong. She envisions a future where young girls, staring out their windows in small towns—just as she once did—see a world of possibilities in cybersecurity.
She believes that visibility creates opportunity. By amplifying
What Undercode Says: A Deeper Look at Women in Cybersecurity
Women have long been underrepresented in cybersecurity, with barriers ranging from gender biases to a lack of mentorship opportunities. However, the rise of women-led initiatives, diversity programs, and mentorship networks is gradually reshaping the landscape.
The Power of Representation
- Studies show that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, particularly in security, where different perspectives can uncover vulnerabilities that others might miss.
- Visibility matters—when young women see successful female leaders in cybersecurity, they are more likely to pursue careers in the field.
- Despite growing female participation, women still represent only about 25% of the cybersecurity workforce, signaling the need for continued progress.
Challenges Women Face in Cybersecurity
- Imposter Syndrome: Many women struggle with self-doubt, often feeling the need to prove themselves more than their male counterparts.
- Workplace Bias: From hiring decisions to promotions, unconscious bias can hinder career growth.
- Lack of Female Mentors: Many women in tech report struggling to find strong female role models within their organizations.
The Role of Advocacy and Community Support
- Women-led cybersecurity organizations such as WiCyS, Women in Tech Global, and CyBlack play a pivotal role in bridging the gender gap.
- Educational programs and scholarships tailored for women can help increase participation in cybersecurity roles.
- Companies must actively work on inclusive hiring practices, ensuring equitable opportunities for leadership roles.
The Future of Women in Cybersecurity
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By supporting initiatives that encourage diversity, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, the industry can close the gender gap and build a more inclusive and effective cybersecurity workforce.
Fact Checker Results
- Women represent only 25% of the cybersecurity workforce—highlighting the need for continued efforts in diversity and inclusion.
- Diverse teams are 35% more effective in cybersecurity problem-solving, proving that inclusion is not just ethical but also strategically advantageous.
- Cybersecurity job demand is projected to grow by 32% in the next decade, creating ample opportunities for women to step into leadership roles and drive innovation
References:
Reported By: https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2025/03/10/miwic25-eva-benn-chief-of-staff-strategy-microsoft-red-team/
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