Saman Fatima was born in Lucknow, India and now lives in the US, in Atlanta, where she is in the first semester of a master of science course in information systems – cybersecurity at Georgia State University. SAMAN FATIMA Master of Science Course Student at Georgia State University
Suppose you met an old friend from your last year at school who, knowing nothing about cybersecurity or what you do, asks you what you are doing. How do you answer them to ‘sell’ them on the idea of a career in cybersecurity?
and passion for cybersecurity. They supported me to
Having spent five years in cybersecurity and having my friend the dark world of security, not to scare
What do you see has having been the most memorable and/or significant in your cybersecurity journey to date, and why?
them but to make them understand how putting
There have been many memorable moments:
seen what happens on social media, I would show
move to the US to study for my master’s degree after five years working in industry (Yes, it is tough). A host of friends in my cyber community have helped and contributed to my journey tremendously.
information about yourself on social media—saying “Hey I am at the WTC”—can be dangerous because it creates data that can be harvested for open-source
• Starting a new community (non-profit) with my colleague/friend/sister Aastha Sahni in 2021.
intelligence (OSINT), etc. I would try to impress upon
• Being nominated for cyber awards.
them the importance of putting ‘security first’ in both
• Coming to the US for my master’s.
their physical and digital lives.
• Learning about attacks and gaining knowledge about different domains, getting my work
How does the reality of cybersecurity as you experience it today fit with your understanding when you first thought about studying it?
• Starting a student chapter of WiCyS at my
I was a beginner in cybersecurity studies five years
• Being a community leader, having people learn
ago with little exposure, but now it has become
published, presenting it and being acknowledged. university. from me, and vice-versa.
a BEAST! I have been introduced to multifactor authentication. I have learnt that no browser is safe.
My biggest achievements have been when I have
I have learnt to love cookies, but that cookies can
been able to help others with cybersecurity.
steal a lot of data. I have learnt that social media exposure can be a bane, and to be careful with every detail exposed.
In addition to your studies, what employment experience do you have in cybersecurity? I have been trained in identity and access
What cybersecurity role would most like to be hired into when you graduate, and why?
management. I have long been a cybersecurity
I really want to become a cloud engineer. I am
communities.
enthusiast and I am an active member of cyber
strongly inclined toward the usage and benefits of the cloud: putting data there, deciding which deployment
• I am the cofounder and vice-chair of the Breaking
and service model best suits the organisation, and
Barriers Women in Cybersecurity (BBWIC)
safeguarding the data with appropriate controls.
Foundation. • I am a volunteer instructor at CyberPreserve.
Who, or what would you say has had the biggest influence on your cybersecurity career journey to date, and why? My family members are supporting my enthusiasm
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W O M E N I N S E C U R I T Y M A G A Z I N E
• I am a global member, mentor and mentee at Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS). • I am an ambassador for Snyk, a Bostonbased cybersecurity company specialising in
J A N U A RY • F E B R U A RY 2023
