I am Woman (In IT), Hear Me Roar: Navigating Tech with Tenacity
Empowering women in IT, celebrating Ada Lovelace Day, and championing cybersecurity in financial services.
In this empowering narrative, Cheryl Chiodi of Akamai reflects on her journey in IT, echoing the spirit of Ada Lovelace. She champions women in tech, emphasizing unity, resilience, and progress.
In light of Ada Lovelace Day (October 10th), let’s look at how women navigating the IT world have helped pioneer the field over the last two centuries and how cybersecurity has become as visionary as Ada Lovelace’s view of the first computer was.
In the world of music, anthems like those of Beyoncé and Katy Perry may resonate with a broader audience, but for me, Helen Reddy’s “I am woman, hear me roar” encapsulates a message of power and determination—a rallying cry for empowerment. In the realm of Information Technology (IT), I echo this sentiment with my twist: “I am a Woman (In IT), Hear Me Roar.” My IT journey began with technologies like Interleaf, the first WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) document processor, and Lotus Notes, which was way ahead of its time, and the first widely adopted software product to use public key cryptography for client–server and server–server authentication and for encryption of data.
The Woman Who Revolutionized IT and Became the First Computer Programmer
At the time, I had no idea how these technologies would shape me professionally and how they laid the foundation for what was to come, much like the pioneering women who have shaped the world of IT. And of those women, I’d be remiss to omit Ada Lovelace, who is often considered the first computer programmer whose understanding of computing remained unparalleled and unappreciated for 100 years. Ada Lovelace, born the daughter of Lord and Lady Byron, was encouraged towards mathematics by her mother. In her career, Ada was a visionary in the beginnings of computers as her contemporaries focused on the calculative and number-processing capabilities. At the same time, Ada viewed a computer’s potential as far greater.
Ada Lovelace helped pave the way for the women we now have in IT. I’m grateful that the legacy of excellence continues in female IT leaders with Akamai’s CIO, Kate Prouty, and the women who support these leaders, such as myself.
Continuous Learning and Technological Expertise
Since those early days of my career, I’ve had the privilege of immersing myself in purposeful technologies that have added layers of expertise to my skill set. Open Source, Low Code platforms, Process Intelligence, and Digital Process Automation have enriched my repertoire. Simultaneously, I’ve become familiar with concepts like API(Application programming interface) Security, Zero Trust, DDoS(Distributed denial-of-service), and Fraud Protection.
However, my unique perspective has always been focused on their impact on the financial services industry. It is essential to ensure that the future of the financial services sector is shaped by a diverse cross-section of the population it aims to serve.
See More: 5 Steps Tech Companies Can Take To Develop Women Leaders
We Are Women in IT
While we see growth in women in financial services who reach the C-suite and the board, progress could be faster. One Deloitte study shows that progress will likely slow or stagnate by 2031. Women now account for 18% of financial C-suite positions, but this stagnation could pause that progress before reaching 25%. According to the Cybersecurity Workforce Study, Women under 30 account for only 30% of the global cybersecurity workforce, and women 60 or older only account for 14%. According to Cloud Academy, with the shortage of IT workers ongoing and no end in sight, this is an opportunity for women (and other underrepresented groups) to join IT and change the tide.
More Than Balancing the Numbers
It’s important to note that the effort to hire more women in IT shouldn’t be just to balance out DEI figures. Having diverse perspectives in IT, especially cybersecurity creates an environment for more innovation with different minds and additional viewpoints that could potentially catch more bad actors and other cybersecurity threats. In no small way, having a more diverse working environment also cultivates an environment where employees can grow and learn from each other.
Lessons from the IT Arena
Over the years, my journey through global corporate IT has exposed me to both challenges and rewards. The IT arena is not devoid of egos and personal agendas. Yet, it has connected me with exceptional individuals—compassionate, helpful, and wise souls who generously share their time, lead purposeful lives, and cultivate community. They serve as inspirational models of the outcomes a strong work ethic can yield. These lessons have transcended my professional life, influencing my personal life.
I am a Woman in All Roles
I’ve embraced the role of an IT novice for my “gamer” children and an IT expert with clear communication skills for my aging mother. The tenacity of my colleagues has been a source of inspiration, helping me through the low moments of marathon training and the challenges of battling breast cancer. Witnessing colleagues embrace continuous learning has given me the courage to explore new horizons, such as motorcycle riding. These pursuits underscore the idea that individuals cannot be confined to predefined boxes, just as “women in IT” defy stereotypes, bringing unique tapestries of skills and experiences.
Championing Cybersecurity in Financial Services
In my current role, I work in cybersecurity, focusing on fortifying the financial services sector. The stakes are high, as those orchestrating financial crimes often have ties to heinous exploits like drug and human trafficking. This issue hits close to home, losing a family member to a heroin overdose. I understand that the battle transcends financial interests. It’s a fight against darkness that exploits the most vulnerable corners of society.
Finding Purpose in the Cause
From the outside, it can be easy to assume that heinous crimes like the trafficking of humans and drugs are separate from the financial services industry. But when you consider it closer, it becomes a closely intertwined web that survives off each other. If the cybersecurity network can catch suspicious instances and track these criminals, it can stop or completely shut down a complex scheme. This takes the importance of cybersecurity to a whole new level and brings an additional level of purpose to the job.
Tenacity and Unity
In the face of such adversity, tenacity becomes a guiding light, fueling our efforts to safeguard the financial ecosystem from malicious actors. However, amidst this struggle, shifting our focus from what divides us to what unites us is crucial. Our challenges bind us together to pursue a safer, more equitable future.
Rallying Cry
“I am Woman (In IT), Hear Me Roar” is more than just a declaration; it’s a rallying cry that encapsulates a journey defined by tenacity, empathy, and purpose. As women in IT, we roar for ourselves and the greater good. We roar for unity, resilience, and progress. Let our collective voice reverberate through the digital landscape, reminding us that despite the adversities we face, our unity is our greatest strength.
What steps have you taken to empower women in IT, celebrate diversity, and support cybersecurity initiatives for a safer digital future? Let us know on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you!
Image Source: Shutterstock
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