Beyond Barriers: Celebrating Women in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is more than just defending against threats—it’s about resilience, leadership, and innovation. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how women in IT and security are not just keeping pace with change but driving it.

Often on International Women’s Day, stories focus on the barriers that hold women in our industry back. I understand these challenges deeply. I’ve seen firsthand the obstacles that start early—sparking girls’ interest in STEM, keeping young women engaged through college, and supporting their transition into technology careers. I’m also keenly aware of the persistent underrepresentation of women in senior leadership roles. These aren’t just statistics to me; they reflect experiences I’ve navigated myself.

This year, I want to take a different approach. Instead of focusing on the hurdles that stand in the way of women and result in exceptionally talented women leaving–or never entering–the field, I want to focus on the incredible contributions made by women I have collaborated with over the last year. Women that are redefining leadership in cybersecurity, shaping risk management and resilience strategies, and securing their organization and the wider digital world.

Surrounded by Role Models

Through Zscaler’s Women in Technology and Security community, I have had the privilege of meeting and learning from many extraordinary women CIOs, CISOs, and CTOs. I am constantly inspired by the achievements of the women that surround me: Many have technical expertise or are specialists in niche areas of risk, some serve on boards, all have developed business leadership skills, and all have left their marks on our industry. 

There’s Hanna Hennig, CIO at Siemens, who has spent the last five years leading the company’s IT organization. To me, she embodies what it means to be a modern CIO—bringing together diverse business units to drive automation, profitability, and innovation. But beyond that, she’s deeply committed to developing the next generation of technology leaders, ensuring businesses remain secure and technology-driven for many years to come.

Rucha Nanavati demonstrated her C-level leadership skills at U.S. retail giant Albertsons before returning to India, where she now serves as Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Mahindra and Mahindra for Automotive Sector. When she spoke at a Zscaler event last year, she shared a philosophy that has guided her success: "A shared vision, open communication channels, celebrating your wins, and learning from your failures—always anchored to customer needs." 

And in one of the most traditionally risk-averse industries, Remona Murugan is driving technology transformation as Head of Technology Platforms at Rio Tinto. She’s helping build resilience across vast and complex mining operations around the globe, while developing high-performing teams and championing for cultural change.

Looking ahead with optimism

What sets Remona, Rucha, and Hanna apart isn’t just their expertise—it’s their ability to leverage technology and security as strategic drivers of growth, innovation, and customer trust. IT and cybersecurity become business enablers.

Studies show that diversity enhances problem-solving and resilience in security teams, but the real proof lies in the tangible impact women are having on their organizations and the industry at large. Their work challenges outdated stereotypes–women are not just participating in cybersecurity, they’re actively shaping its future. 

So this International Women’s Day, let’s do more than celebrate—let’s amplify the voices of women in tech, champion their work, and commit to building a future where they aren’t the exception, but the norm. That way, we make sure their contributions are seen, valued, and will continue to inspire others. 

What to read next

Lessons in leadership: What I learned at the Women in IT and Security CXO Summit

Representation matters: How to attract, recruit, and retain women in cybersecurity