Cyber security needs more female leaders

Channel Post speaks with Noura Hassan, Country Manager Egypt at Trend Micro about her journey in cyber security industry that led her to be the “first female Country Manager in Egypt”.

Noura Hassan – “The first female Country Manager in Egypt”

Tell us about your leadership style and philosophy.

I have been fortunate to work with some amazing people. At Trend Micro we are a family that is constantly growing and collectively discovering new things each day. Today, I work with a team where each employee comes from a different background each with their own ideas and  skill sets. I work with them helping to integrate them into the Trend Micro fold, allowing everyone to build on their individual offerings, so that collectively we can find a common ground to share our ideas and deliver on the Trend Micro promise.

For me to be a good leader, I focus on the progress of each individual in my team and their successes reflect on my leadership.

What made you choose IT as a career opportunity?

It was always my dream to be an Engineer, ever since I was a kid. It was something that came naturally to me. When I decided to be a Communication Engineer, it wasn’t an easy decision for my family to accept, but eventually, I convinced them, and they saw my determination and helped me pursue the career that I was passionate about. After graduation, I switched to IT since it was the most dynamic field then, and gradually started to specialize in Networks, this was when I discovered my real interest in cyber security industry.

How has your unique background prepared you for success in the industry?

I keep myself updated by reading a lot on the IT industry. I started my first job as a Network System Engineer where I used to build and design Networks (Switching, routing, VOIP etc.). So I gained knowledge about network infrastructure and the other IT aspects besides networks from the 14 years of experience while working in the IT Field.

When I shifted my specialization to cyber security, I kept reading about new developments in the industry and attended a lot of training and workshops. Through such experiences, I gained a lot of insight into the cyber security field and it also gave me a lot of good opportunities to excel in my career.

What was your most interesting job?

Frankly speaking; I have a passion for every job I do. I usually tell my team that, I have a passion to achieve and increase business. But it’s not always about the money, it’s about helping customers build and make their infrastructure more productive. One of the most interesting jobs I had was when I was designing and implementing information security infrastructure for my customers.

What advice would you give to women looking to break into the field of computer technology?

Just follow your gut. You will not believe how much you know and how much you can achieve. Listening to my inner voice has always guided me to break all barriers and make the right decisions, I believe that this will help others too.

In the IT field, especially in cyber security, there is a need for women with great calibre. It is high time that we broke the gender stereotypes and pave way for women in the industry. Don’t let society affect your beliefs and self-esteem. You should always remember that we are all equal and have the same capabilities to excel in the interested field. Don’t let others limit your potential.

What is the greatest transformation in technology you’ve witnessed in your career?

IT field and cyber security is a race that will never stop, one of the major transformation that I have witnessed is “Virtualization” and “Cloud computing”, and the most recent one being Internet of Things –IoT or as we say in Trend Micro… Internet of Threats!

What are your thoughts on the next transformation on in the tech industry?

As we see around us; everything is connected to the internet; smart cities, smart cars, smart homes, etc. Everything is smart and connected to the web, data is huge, and chances are that it will be targeted. There are a number of newer threats arising every day. So one of the most important aspects of technology advancements would be – how to secure the new trends that are changing our life, on a daily basis.

Are you involved in any sort of volunteer work? Can you give us some details?

Yes, we all need to give back to our community, it’s our responsibility to help the less fortunate. I was recently involved in some activities to help communities understand cyber security in Egypt. We spread awareness on internet safety for family, which we believe will reflect on the whole society.

What’s next for you in terms of your career in the tech industry?

I don’t like to limit myself, I love challenges. Currently, I need to excel in my new designation as “the first female Country Manager in Egypt”. Hopefully, I can be a role model for many women to follow.

Cyber security field requires more female leaders, so hopefully, in the near future, I can help them to be part of this untapped community. There are women in the cyber security workforce, but the percentage is still very low.

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