Women are too timid/uninterested or lack skills to be in the STEM fields.
Such myths don’t even stand a chance in 2024. Women have exemplified remarkable strides in every technology segment. Not only are they leading the tech world but also redefining the world for the better.
Cybersecurity is one such example where women leadership has turned the tables and is reshaping the tech space, ensuring an inclusive ecosystem for everyone. In 2022, a report by BCG revealed that 75% of cybersecurity professionals were men but faced critical issues when it came to problem-solving. But it suggested that women’s leadership could do more than just fill the empty chairs. As cyber security demands problem-solving, diverse opinions always play a big role.
In 2023, women’s participation in the industry rose to 7% that in 2019. Realizing this massive revolution, we, at IMPAAKT Magazine, dived into the global ecosystem to search for the most dynamic, technology-driven women leader and found Raluca Saceanu. Her story is beyond just being inspirational. She is the CEO of Smarttech247 – a global cybersecurity company that specializes in MDR (managed detection and response) and security operations.
Raluca’s journey—from a Marketing Director to becoming CEO very well represents her passion and hard work in what she does. Her success lies in the milestone that –Smarttech247, just in 10 years has been listed in the London Stock Exchange.
Raluca actively works towards Diversity and Inclusion with Equity staying at the forefront of her decision-making.
Dive into the interview to learn more about Raluca’s leadership and how she is trailblazing the global cybersecurity ecosystem.
Below are the interview highlights.
Raluca, tell us about your journey as the CEO of Smarttech247, and how your background contributes to your leadership. What inspired your career in tech, specifically cybersecurity, and how did you reach your current position?
Having joined Smarttech247 ten years ago as one of its first ten employees, I have had the invaluable opportunity to be at the forefront of a leading cybersecurity organization and part of its growth trajectory. I began as the Marketing Director, and over time, through hard work, dedication, and a passion for cybersecurity, I gradually took on more significant responsibilities, eventually assuming the roles of Director of Enterprise Strategy and Chief Operating Officer. In April 2022, I took over as Chief Executive Officer and led the successful listing of Smarttech247 on the London Stock Exchange in December 2022.
Smarttech247’s collaborative culture allows everyone to showcase their dedication and contribute their ideas, leading to an accelerated career progression. This culture also comes with added benefits for our customers, as we are a more agile company, allowing us to pivot quicker and respond to emerging cyber threats.
What’s Smarttech247’s mission, and how does it impact cybersecurity while fostering diversity?
Smarttech247 is a global cybersecurity company specializing in MDR (managed detection and response) and security operations. We help secure some of the world’s largest organisations, including private and public sector organisations and we are constantly on the frontlines of cybersecurity. We see why companies get hacked and why others don’t – we have taken the lessons from the frontlines and created our platform called VisionX which uses AI and Automation to help clients manage threats more effectively.
To us, diversity is built into our company DNA. We actively promote inclusion within our workforce and the broader cybersecurity community. For example, we implement recruitment strategies that target underrepresented groups in technology, ensuring a diverse talent pool. Additionally, we sponsor events and initiatives aimed at supporting women, minorities, and other marginalized groups in the cybersecurity field. This year we launched another ‘Women in Cybersecurity Academy’. This is a six-week course that allows women to develop cyber tech skills, with the top performing candidates awarded year-long placements at Smarttech247.
As the CEO, I have also recently joined the 30% Club, a global campaign led by Chairs and CEOs taking action to increase gender diversity at board and senior management levels. Looking forward, we are also planning to launch more initiatives involving education in local communities, volunteering, and sustainability initiatives.
By embracing diversity, Smarttech247 enhances its problem-solving capabilities. Different perspectives and experiences contribute to more comprehensive security capabilities and innovative solutions.
What are the main challenges in cybersecurity today, and how does Smarttech247 address them while promoting diversity?
The threat landscape continues to grow and in fact, the World Economic Forum recently stated that the cybersecurity economy grows 4 times faster than the world economy. This is driven by the fast-evolving attack surface, which includes emerging threats such as ransomware attacks targeting critical infrastructure, supply chain vulnerabilities exploited by sophisticated threat actors, and the proliferation of IT/OT devices susceptible to exploitation.
Additionally, social engineering tactics such as phishing and spear-phishing attacks continue to evolve in sophistication, posing significant risks to organizations’ security. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in cyberattacks also presents a growing concern, as cybercriminals leverage these technologies to automate and enhance the effectiveness of their malicious activities.
Furthermore, the rise of deep fake technology poses a serious threat to the integrity of information, enabling the creation of convincingly deceptive audio and video content for spreading disinformation and manipulating public opinion, particularly in times of elections and global conflicts.
We tackle these challenges through our combination of people, process, and AI-enhanced technology and we leverage varied perspectives and experiences to develop comprehensive defense strategies for our clients. We have created our platform VisionX which is empowering our clients to reduce their cybersecurity risk.
VisionX leverages advanced technology to provide comprehensive threat detection and response capabilities, tailored to each client’s unique needs. By integrating not only the best-of-breed solutions into the platform but also ensuring diverse perspectives and experiences as part of the development and implementation of VisionX, we ensure that our solutions are inclusive and effective in addressing evolving cyber threats.
What steps do you believe organizations can take to address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in cybersecurity and other STEM fields?
To address the underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEM fields, organizations should prioritize diversity and inclusion initiatives. This includes implementing policies to support diversity, providing mentorship and sponsorship programs, offering scholarships and internships to underrepresented groups, and actively promoting diversity in recruitment and leadership positions.
I encourage organizations to review their diversity policies, starting from representation at Board or executive level, all the way to company-wide representation. Conduct regular assessments to identify areas for improvement and set measurable diversity goals aligned with the organization’s values and objectives. Foster a culture of accountability and transparency by regularly reporting on diversity metrics and progress toward diversity initiatives. Additionally, seek feedback from employees, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure that diversity efforts are inclusive, impactful, and responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce and community.
In your opinion, what are the benefits of having diverse teams in cybersecurity and technology, and how does it contribute to innovation and problem-solving?
Diverse teams in cybersecurity and technology offer numerous benefits that significantly enhance innovation and problem-solving. By bringing together individuals with varied perspectives, experiences, and cultural backgrounds, these teams foster creativity and fresh approaches to complex challenges.
Additionally, diversity promotes critical thinking and robust debate, leading to more thorough analysis and decision-making processes. Moreover, diverse teams are inherently adaptable and resilient, capable of quickly responding to emerging threats by drawing on a range of skills and expertise. In fostering inclusivity and creating a supportive work environment, diverse teams also enhance morale, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
Furthermore, these teams harness the power of Collective Intelligence, leveraging the collective knowledge and experiences of team members to make better-informed decisions and drive innovation forward. Embracing diversity and Collective Intelligence can help organizations position themselves at the forefront of cybersecurity and technology, driving breakthroughs and maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
How do AI and machine learning impact cybersecurity, and how does Smarttech247 use them while ensuring diversity?
AI and machine learning have a profound impact on cybersecurity by revolutionizing threat detection, response, and mitigation processes. These technologies enable organizations to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, identify patterns indicative of malicious activity, and automate responses to potential threats. Smarttech247 uses AI and machine learning in our various cybersecurity solutions, such as threat intelligence, anomaly detection, and risk management, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our services.
While leveraging AI and machine learning, Smarttech247 ensures diversity by adopting inclusive practices throughout the development and deployment of these technologies. This includes actively monitoring and evaluating algorithms for bias and fairness, ensuring that diverse datasets are used to train models, and promoting diversity in the teams responsible for developing and implementing AI-driven cybersecurity solutions.
Any advice for women aspiring to tech or leadership roles?
Firstly, it’s essential to prioritize skill development, and continuously seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and expertise. Building a strong network is also invaluable for career advancement. Connect with professionals in the tech industry, join relevant organizations and communities, attend conferences, and seek out mentorship programs. Confidence and assertiveness are key qualities for success in tech and leadership roles. Believe in your abilities, speak up for yourself, and don’t be afraid to take on challenges or express your ideas. Lastly, it’s important to support and empower other women and underrepresented groups, so if you are in a leadership role, ensure that you empower more women to excel and thrive in the tech industry by providing mentorship, sponsorship, and opportunities for advancement.
What are Smarttech247’s future goals for growth and diversity in tech?
Our gender diversity ratio is now at 44% which is fantastic. We are proud of our D&I initiatives and everything we have achieved so far, but we are not stopping here. We want to be the first cybersecurity company in the world that has a 50-50 diversity ratio and continue to support women across the world in excelling in their careers. We will continue our Women in Cybersecurity Academy program, we will continue to promote women in leadership positions, and continue our formal mentorship and sponsorship programs that support the professional development and advancement of women in the organization.
