In the Forefront of Cybersecurity!
In this modern era, cybersecurity leadership is of paramount importance as organizations navigate through a complex and ever-changing digital environment. Cyber threats cause significant risks to an organization’s reputation, operational continuity, and data integrity. Effective cybersecurity leadership involves understanding these threats, analyzing risks, and implementing tailored defense strategies.
In order to maintain regulatory compliance, navigate the complex data protection rules, and reduce the financial and legal risks resulting from threats, leaders are essential. Additionally, they help the company develop a culture of cybersecurity resilience and awareness by equipping staff members with the skills and information needed to recognize, stop, and handle cyber occurrences.
Meet Stella Tsitsoula, serving as the President and Co-Founder of the Hellenic Cybersecurity Institute and as the Vice President of the Women4Cyber Greece Organization. Additionally, she is the communications consultant and managing partner at RED.comm, which is a communications agency based in Athens, Greece.
‘The Hellenic Cybersecurity Institute’ is a non-profit organization that fosters collaboration and exchange of ideas on cybersecurity and information protection. It organizes and hosts events, speeches, and interactive panels to promote a secure society through continuous dialogue.
‘The Women4Cyber Foundation’ has been established by the European Cyber Security Organization (ECSO) and Guard Time to raise awareness and funds for a gender-inclusive cybersecurity community.
‘RED.comm’is an Athens-based PR agency specializing in communications and PR services. They cater to medium and low-budget organizations, enabling them to effectively target their target groups and build their image. As a member of the GlobalCom PR Network, RED
Communications has a global presence in over 60 countries and markets.
Let’s delve into the transformative journey of Stella Tsitsoula:
Motivation and Passion
Stella’s interest in cyber security began seven years ago when she was invited to support the Greek cyber security team in a pan-European competition organized by ENISA. This led her to explore topics like information security and the risks associated with the digital era, sparked by her involvement in the pan-European competition.
Since then, Stella recognized a tremendous opportunity in the field, as the increasing importance of cybersecurity in our society significantly influenced her involvement. Thus, the opportunity to contribute to the entire ecosystem was a strong motivating factor. This is how, two years ago, she started with two Greek ladies, the Greek chapter of Women4Cyber, and, a year ago, the Hellenic Cybersecurity Institute.
Stella is deeply passionate about the field of cybersecurity, given its constant challenges and dynamic nature. As technology evolves rapidly, so do the threats and attack methods. Stella emphasizes, “The feeling that I am contributing to society adds profound meaning to my work. Cybersecurity is not merely a technical challenge but a mission to safeguard our digital world. This sense of purpose is what fuels my passion and dedication to this field.”
Keeping Abreast of Trends and Threats
Stella actively attends and participates in numerous conferences and seminars on cyber security, both in Greece and abroad. She stays consistently informed through informative websites, podcasts, blogs, and newsletters that cover the latest advancements in cybersecurity. She is also engaged in communities and forums as well as professional networks related to cybersecurity. Another valuable asset in her ongoing education is the range of educational programs and certifications specific to the field.
Highest Professional Accomplishment
Stella and her team at the Hellenic Cybersecurity Institute have organized numerous events to promote digital security and build a strong community of women in cybersecurity. Despite facing numerous challenges as both non-profit organizations, they have successfully achieved their goals, making Stella proud of their accomplishments.
Stella states, “pride and joy” in the realm of cybersecurity is the National Team, the Hellenic Cybersecurity Team, that participates annually in the Pan-European Cyber Security Competition. Despite being a small country, with persistence and hard work, we manage to field a team that stands on par with those from other European countries that boast extensive expertise, substantial financial and logistical resources, and significant participation.”
Initiatives and Leadership in Driving Forward
Stella emphasizes the interconnectedness of innovation and cybersecurity in addressing threats. Organizations she works with raise awareness about cybersecurity, holding seminars to keep professionals updated on technologies, regulations, threats, and best practices. They collaborate with universities, research institutions, government authorities, and regulatory bodies to stay informed and participate in European programs. They also organize cybersecurity competitions to encourage creative problem-solving and recognize innovative solutions.
Overcoming Industry Hurdles
One of the greatest challenges in the cybersecurity industry, when it comes to businesses is the lack of specialized personnel. It is crucial to invest in the training and development of existing staff by offering opportunities for certifications and creating an attractive work environment that cultivates innovation and professional growth.
On the other hand, society is also vulnerable to attacks. Users are often the weakest link in the security chain, whether through errors or social engineering. Addressing this challenge necessitates developing a comprehensive awareness and education program with regular training and testing to identify and combat social engineering attacks.
Maintaining Leadership while Fostering Growth
The balance is undeniably critical to professional success. For Stella, the greatest challenge is time management, given her numerous professional obligations where she tries to prioritize effectively. Continuous personal education is crucial for her professional life, as it allows her to continuously learn and share experiences and knowledge through active participation in professional networks and cybersecurity communities.
Moreover, beyond Stella’s professional life, she tries to maintain a healthy balance between work, personal life, and family because good physical and mental health is essential to her for better task management. She constantly strives to apply what she learned directly to her daily tasks and strategies, ensuring that new knowledge becomes part of her professional practice. Stella says, “I don’t always succeed, as the force of habit can sometimes be challenging to overcome.”
Advice for Aspiring Cybersecurity Women
Women can gain a strong foundation in the cybersecurity sector by investing in computer science, computer networks, and advanced degrees. Staying updated with cybersecurity trends and threats is crucial for professional success. Participating in professional associations like Women4Cyber and ISC2 helps build professional connections and connects with suitable mentors, ensuring suitable guidance for women in this field.
Stella believes, “As women, we naturally possess exceptional communication skills. By cultivating and effectively developing these skills in the field of cybersecurity, we can achieve outstanding results in both risk management and problem-solving. Critical thinking is essential for analyzing and addressing cyber threats and research has shown that women are quite adept in this area. Since the field is undeniably male-dominated, we need to maintain confidence and not hesitate to claim our place in cybersecurity.”
The most important thing is to remain dedicated, constantly seek new learning and self-improvement opportunities, and network with other professionals in the field. By doing so, we pave the way for success and make a significant impact in the cybersecurity world.
Envisioning the Future
The rapid advancement of technology and societal reliance on digital systems has led to a growing need for robust cybersecurity solutions. The post-COVID era saw a massive digitization of services and processes, with AI expanding to real-time threat detection and response, reducing response times and improving accuracy. Quantum computing is expected to further enhance security.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly becoming a part of daily lives, compelling the industry to develop solutions from the ground up to avoid vulnerabilities. Achieving these advancements will require collaboration between governments, organizations, and private companies. Moreover, developing cybersecurity communities and networks for knowledge and practice exchange is crucial, as it will strengthen collective defense against threats. This vision is precisely what they advocate through the Hellenic Cybersecurity Institute.
Looking ahead, Stella envisions a future where cybersecurity is deeply integrated into every aspect of digital lives, from the most basic personal devices to the most complex corporate networks.