Hacking the Gender Gap: How Women in Cybersecurity are Breaking Barriers and Thriving
Women in cybersecurity are hacking the status quo. Cisco’s Ashley Shen and fellow trailblazers at Black Hat USA 2025 will share their journeys, advice, and positive experiences to inspire and empower women in tech. The gender gap is narrowing, and these pioneers are ensuring that women won’t just belong but thrive.
Hot Take:
Move over, boys! The cybersecurity world is getting a makeover, and it’s not just about firewalls and encryption anymore. Thanks to trailblazers like Chi-en (Ashley) Shen, the script is being flipped, and women in cyber are going from exception to expectation. Grab your popcorn, because it’s about to get inspiring in here, folks!
Key Points:
- Chi-en (Ashley) Shen discovered her interest in cybersecurity at 17 after reading a book on hacking.
- Shen has been the only woman on every cybersecurity team she’s worked on, including at big names like Mandiant and Google.
- Despite challenges, women are making strides in cybersecurity, aided by initiatives like the Black Hat panels.
- Shen focuses on threat hunting and intelligence sharing at Cisco Talos.
- She promotes empowerment through education and community engagement to tackle the industry’s gender gap.
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