WOMEN IN SECURITY
Women in Security Awards Aotearoa: The Winners Recognising excellence in security. We celebrate the winners and finalists of the inaugural Women in Security Awards Aotearoa.
Indigenous Awareness Tash Bettridge is a strong and enthusiastic advocate for greater access to technology, the implementation of it to disadvantaged communities, and cyber security training for indigenous Maori. Tash has a strong connection with her whakapapa and recognises the importance of connecting Indigenous people with technology through an understanding of traditional Maori tikanga. Tash has worked tirelessly for diversity in the NZ Cyber Sy landscape, most recently participating and presenting at the annual WiSy seminars. Tash also co-established an online community, New Zealand Network for Women in Security (for physical and virtual meetups). In doing this, she has woven traditional Maori manaakitanga that has meant typically introverted people, have greater access to resources and are now regular contributors to content and support.
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NZSM
Educator Ngaire Kelaher PSP, CPP has worked hard on her professional development in order to ensure her students gain as much theoretical knowledge with practical experience as possible. Ngaire is the first woman, and first Maori woman, to lead the New Zealand Chapter of ASIS International. Recently, Ngaire has facilitated presentations by global security thought leaders and sector influencers to improve access to knowledge and learning programmes. Ngaire is one of very few double ASIS certified professionals, and the only woman to hold both CPP and PSP designations in New Zealand. She has delivered training and presentations across both private and public sectors. Ngaire’s understanding of training systems and processes mitigate the risk of low completion rates typically associated with low paying jobs, with many of her students over the years having transitioned into senior operational and management roles.
Thought leader Kendra Ross makes it her business to keep up-to-date on national and international security events and trends so that she can share her learned knowledge with others in NZ and around the globe. Kendra is always available to help businesses and individuals. Money is not her motivator. She believes that a cyber safe NZ is possible with collective participation. Kendra is strongly motivated to see people succeed. Kendra is the founder of First Tuesday and has provided her energy and enthusiasm to information security for over 12 years through this group. She is a board member of CERTNZ and an active advocate for personal information security, sharing cyber smart tips to help all New Zealanders. She is a strong advocate for cyber security as part of tertiary education and has led the formation of Project Wednesday, a networking group for students and people new to cyber security.
December 2020/January 2021
