Recently, I had the brilliant opportunity to attend Core to Cloud’s ‘Secure & Strong’ event, my very first Women in Cyber gathering. And let me tell you, it completely redefined what a cyber event can truly achieve.
Let’s be honest, traditional cyber conferences can sometimes feel a bit... well, a tad dry, can't they? We've all experienced the endless lectures, the slightly awkward coffee breaks that aren't quite conducive to proper networking, and enough tech deep-dives to make you genuinely pine for your admin tasks! But what if I told you there’s a completely different kind of event out there? One that’s actually, dare I say, genuinely enjoyable?
From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted by a room absolutely buzzing with competent and knowledgeable professionals. The shared focus was palpable: to forge new connections and genuinely support one another. This wasn't a room of homogenous backgrounds; it was a vibrant mix of individuals from all walks of life – some cyber-adjacent, some industry newcomers, others in technical leadership roles. Crucially, there wasn't a hint of superiority or self-importance amongst them. It genuinely felt like everyone was eager to engage, to learn about each other, and to passionately discuss the very thing that brought us all together: Cyber! (Yes, we were delightfully a room full of nerds, and proud of it!)
We swiftly moved into the main event room, ready to kick off the day's exciting agenda.
I must take a moment here to express how incredibly proud I am of Immersive. Utilising our cutting-edge Crisis Sim tooling, we all participated in an extraordinarily engaging simulation, complete with fantastic DC Comic vibes (maintaining that wonderful nerd persona!). What truly set this simulation apart for me was the complete absence of fear when conversations were opened up to the entire room. I genuinely attribute this to the incredibly safe and supportive atmosphere that permeated the entire day. The debates and discussions at each table were simply brilliant, with diverse opinions and experiences beautifully articulated and every single person feeling truly heard.
As another example of the brilliance of this event, there was also a moment where one of the guests, using just a lanyard and a pair of scissors, DIY'd a perfectly functioning fridge handle. Inspiring to say the least, though not something that was originally on the agenda.
Amongst other fantastic introductions, including a shout-out to WITCH (Women in Tech & Cyber Hub – definitely worth exploring), our very own product powerhouse, Amy Millard, joined the discussion panel. She spoke eloquently about her journey of personal development, overcoming adversity, and masterfully balancing her home and work life.
We also had the privilege of hearing from another inspiring Immerser and Woman in Cyber, Emma Walker. Her moving presentation beautifully highlighted the multitude of titles a person can simultaneously hold: Scientist, Psychologist, Wife, Daughter, and Mother to an adorable fur baby. Emma's talk sparked one of the most compelling discussion points of the day: ‘What does resilience truly mean to you?’
Now, if you've managed to navigate your way through this (admittedly lengthy!) post, I'd say that makes you incredibly resilient indeed! For me personally, resilience is about reaching a crossroads, having the courage to choose the most enjoyable option, dedicating yourself fully to that choice, and trusting completely that you've made the right decision.
So, to wrap up, I want to share a message with every single professional in this industry, regardless of the gender you identify as: If you ever get the chance to attend a Women in Cyber-style event, DO IT. You might just find it's the most refreshing, insightful, and genuinely fun cyber experience you've ever had.
Immerser