Navya Gali

Seattle, WA

Masters in Cyber Security and Leadership

I was a master’s student when I decided to join a non-profit organization as a volunteer, to gain experience in cyber security industry, and when I was looking for the opportunities, my friend recommended WSC. After going through the website and talking to Mansi I decided to join this woman lead organization. And so here I am helping organization with Facebook presence.

Cyber security

Penetration tester

Reading novels and gardening

Watching Disney films and cartoons as an adult

Currently, I am reading ‘Mastering modern web penetration testing’ to advance in my career and ‘I am Another you- a journey to powerful Breakthroughs’. I feel every individual should read it, as each of these lessons described in the book can be applied professionally and personally to understand life better.

Lana Wilson

Washington DC

BS Computer Information Systems. Comptia A+, Security +, Network +, MCP, CEH, CISSP

Desire to connect with other women in the field of IT, learn, help junior professionals to excel in their careers and connect them with other women in the industry, share knowledge with others.

Workshops and classes are my favorite activities to attend as I learned a lot and had the opportunity to meet others in the WSC community.

I am currently in cyber security field.

Blue team engineer providing the technical assessment of the client’s network security gaps.

I ride horses as a hobby.

Facebook

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Saadia Shah

Fort Washington, MD

Bsc Cybersecurity/Management Information Systems.

My passion for cyber security brought me to WSC. WSC does an amazing job in supporting women advance their cyber security career by providing unlimited opportunities as well as a platform to meet like minded people.

Volunteering for LinkedIn platform was the best experience.

I am in Education industry and working as Computer Science/cyber security instructor in a middle school. I am currently seeking to get an employment in cyber security Industry.

I am currently working as Computer Science/Cyber security Teacher at CMIT South Middle School.

Spending time with my children, reading, and cooking.

Listening music is my guilty pleasure.

I am currently reading Darrel Gibson's Comptia Sec+.

Amy Twum-Barimah

Laurel, MD

I have a B.S. degree in Management Information Systems and currently enrolled in a master’s program for Cyber and Information security.

I believed that WCS offered workshops/events that would help me develop the skills/knowledge needed to be successful in cybersecurity.

Being a technical mentor for our CyberPatriot teams has been the best experience.

I am currently in information security, more so information assurance.

I work in federal environment where I manage the security documentation throughout a system’s lifecycle in support of FISMA requirements. This includes, but is not limited to; security categorization report, system security plans, privacy impact assessments, contingency plans, vulnerability assessment reports, deviation requests, and any other necessary documents to comply with FISMA requirements.

Baking, meditation, running/jogging, watching Spanish soap operas.

Watching VH1 reality TV shows such as Married to Medicine or any of of the Real Housewives shows.

I am currently reading “Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking” by Georgia Weidman

Jahma Vetter

Lexington Park, MD

BS Computer Engineer, MS Project Management, Security+, Network+, CEH

I wanted to get with like-minded individuals to study for my certification as well as gain exposure to the field of cybersecurity.

The workshops. I love the interactions, the people and the chance for hands on practice.

My current job is doing cybersecurity testing for a private company

I write and implement test plans for accessing unmanned air vehicles.

Building computers, reading, sewing

I don’t feel guilty about it, but I love Disney and family kid movies.

Currently reading various kids books to my baby girl. Before she showed up, I had just completed reading French Kids Eat Everything.

Sophia Fadli

Sterling, VA

B.S. in Computer Information systems; Working towards a M.S. in Information Security with a focus on digital forensics

I joined WSC for all the great hands on projects and workshops it offers to its members. I was also drawn by the structure of their CTA program and the different paths it offers.

It’s been a pleasure meeting the directors of the board, the members and all the great women that contribute everyday to the cybersecurity field in so many ways. The awards ceremony has to be by far my best experience with WSC.

I am transitioning from contract management to cybersecurity and hoping to sharpen my technical skills.

I love hiking, playing volleyball, reading business magazines, and watching Netflix documentaries. I also love to cook and aspired to be a pastry chef at one point in my life.

Some of my guilty pleasures are dark chocolate with a hint of sea salt and frozen yogurt of course!

I just finished reading "Data and Goliath" by Bruce Schneier and Think and Grow Rich for Women by Sharon Lechter.

Victoria Ho

Woodbridge, VA

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker, GIAC Certified Incident Handler, GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst, Security +, Network +, McAfee Certified Product Specialist - HIPS

The desire to have technical hands-on experience. I’m a technical person and just reading about hacking did not make me comfortable with the subject. It wasn’t until I was in one of the workshops—running the scans, delivering the exploits—did I truly feel like I was understanding what was going on.

Making friends at the Happy Hour events. Learning and laughing with amazingly friendly woman in CISSP study groups. I recently met up with my CISSP study buddy who lives Chicago. Prior to that, we had only met and studied over Skype!

Network Defense (CND)

Developer for a CND product

Traveling, Zumba, eating out, learning, sleeping (yes, sleeping is a real hobby ;])

Netflix binging

Ghost in the Wire by Kevin Mitnick and Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Ashley Myers

Fairfax, VA

In-Progress: B.S. Cyber Security- Homeland Security, A.S. Computer Networking- Security, CISSP (Endorsement in progress), Security+, A+, MCP

I had just moved to the NOVA area in 2013 and I saw an advertisement on UMUC’s website about WSC. I looked into WSC and was excited to learn about all opportunities offered from their website. I immediately joined and I have been a member since April 2013. I went to my first workshop, which was C&A. After going to my first workshop, I couldn’t wait for the next one. I was so impressed with all the knowledge that was brought to the table and meeting so many amazing and smart ladies. Unlike other learning atmospheres, I felt WSC offered a safe environment to really gain as much knowledge as possible.

I was relieved to find a group that offers mentoring and job searching. I will be getting out of the Navy in 9 months and this really opened my eyes and helped me prioritize what is needed to be successful in the civilian sector and ease my nerves of transitioning to a new career.

I am currently Active Duty Navy working in the IT field. I am hoping to transition more into the Cyber side, particularly cyber threat analysis once out of the Navy.

I oversee our Server Team and manage day-to-day operations, disaster recovery, and Tier III support.

I love traveling and experiencing new adventures and places. I like to be outdoors as much as possible- hiking, fishing and hunting. I love antiquing- I think I have been to every antique store between Fairfax, VA and New Market, VA!

Frozen yogurt anytime of the year! And reeses!

Now that I am done with the Shon Harris book! I am excited to pick up and continue reading The Game of Thrones.

Michelle Stalling

Chicago, Illinois

MBA, CISSP, PMP, ITIL, SSGB, Network +

After I completed my MBA with a Concentration in Information Security I wanted to give back and help develop the next generation of female security professionals. I was also seeking opportunities with a group of like minded professionals with a focus on cyber security and a group I could be comfortable with for information sharing. A classmate recommended Women's Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) and said they were a small group of women but doing great things. I joined in January 2013 and attended my first workshop remotely; there was so much laughter in the workshop that I was pleasantly surprised at the camaraderie. I said this can't be serious! It was serious. I was witnessing my Cyberjutsu women of all levels of experience setting up for the class—they were very excited to be there and for the opportunity to support other professionals. Since this was for all levels, including noobies, nobody was left behind. There were always two or three people asking "what do you need help with" or "where are you."

WSC offers training through their workshops, study groups, and classes, opportunities to network with people in the same field, resource sharing (I love my chit chat), job placement, and I'm sure there are many other benefits not mentioned here.

Studying for my CISSP with the WSC online study group and the person (Victoria Ho) who led the study group was my best experience. We both wanted to get to the top of the CISSP hill had that same level of commitment to get there – i.e., that fire in the belly or passion. It is very important if you are considering a certification to join a study group and participate in as many of the workshops, as well as other study groups, and Toastmasters all offered by WSC in order to totally immerse yourself in the process; this will get you to the top of the hill faster. My study partner had a different style from me; she was vocal and reasoned out the answers. I looked at the question and applied some knowledge and experience - usually getting it correct. I sat for and passed the CISSP. However, in the third or fourth hour of the exam (where your breath leaves you and your brain turns to mush) I could hear my study partner in my head reasoning out the answers. Wow! Thank you WSC for introducing me to such awesome women. After I passed the CISSP and put it on Chit Chat, the community response was great. It certainly takes a village.

I work with a global Law Firm on their Information Security team.

At work I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day. I am an Information Security Analyst for Resiliency and Analysis which falls under Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC). I manage the IT Project Intake process to help manage the risks associated with new technologies. Security requirements are included in all new projects to ensure that the appropriate controls are in place whether they are SAAS/Cloud/Internal Projects. I also provide security consultation to projects throughout the lifecycle of the project.

I enjoy traveling, gardening, home fix-it projects, painting, listening to reggae and soca music, and being a beach bum. (I think the security workshops and conferences are fun to attend)

If I'm offered a sweet treat, I never refuse. My weakness is Snickers.

Currently reading various kids books to my baby girl. Before she showed up, I had just completed reading French Kids Eat Everything.