Sheila Hara, Director, Product Management, Application Delivery, Barracuda



I barely made it through the entrance exams for engineering but went on to complete a masters’ degree in Electrical and Electronic engineering. I started to work for Intel and ended up in product management. I love the intersection of technology, business, design, data, experience, and customers. 

To encourage more women into technology, we need to cultivate curiosity in little ones, so they are not afraid of technology when they are older. Talk science at home and run experiments (that do not destroy your home, for the most part). Cultivate courage – let girls jump off structures, swing on the monkey bars and bruise their knees so they feel brave and strong.

With women outnumbered in many technology workplaces, training and mentorship programs that focus on the needs of diverse employees can create support and recognition of career goals and potential. We can all play a part in speaking for other women when they are not in the room. Let women know how important their contributions are to the company’s success. Showcase their work and achievements and demonstrate to the entire organization that women are valued. Keep the faith and trust the journey! Be kind to yourself and give yourself permission to excel. 

Shani Mahler, Director, Product Management, Barracuda XDR



I have been in cybersecurity for nearly 20 years, but computers have always been a feature of my life. As a toddler in the early 80s, my parents bought me Kids on Keys to provide visual reinforcement for my learning. I majored in Information Science as an undergraduate but left college feeling like a “jack of all trades and a master of none.” I was taught so many things: programming (C, C++, java, opengl, among others), GPS, database design, HCI, and more. I wanted to focus. I joined the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at Carnegie Mellon University and immediately fell in love with cybersecurity. I received my master’s degree and never looked back.  

To encourage more young women to consider a career in cybersecurity, I would appeal to their “vigilante spirit.” From Nancy Drew to Olivia Benson, there are famous fictional female detectives whose main role is to help those who cannot help themselves and stop the “bad guys.” The popularity of these characters suggests many women identify with such a role – and a career in cybersecurity can offer exactly that. Cybersecurity isn’t just about tracking down your local criminals, though. It sends you after attackers found around the world. The impact you can have with a career in cybersecurity could be significant as a result. 

It is imperative that woman in cybersecurity continue to support each other. Many of us have had tough experiences so it is important to help other women advance in their careers and to try to provide them with a smoother road to travel. Ask women who are at an earlier stage of their careers if you can mentor them in any way. Mentorship can do wonders. 

When I was young, I had visions of myself with an important job, dressed like a business professional every day with a briefcase to boot. If there was something I could tell my younger self it would be that a successful career is not represented by how you dress. Instead, it is represented by what you deliver and how you make people feel. 
 
Merium Khalid, Senior SOC Manager, Offensive Security, Barracuda XDR



I’ve always had a great passion and curiosity for science, technology, and innovation, and I realized early on that technology is core to everything, whether it is medicine or finance. I knew I wanted to go into cybersecurity to help organizations in all industries to protect themselves against ever-evolving cyber threats. 

The talent shortage in cybersecurity is higher than ever before. We need to educate young people on the importance of cybersecurity and its significance in protecting national infrastructure – but also show them how their involvement and action can make a difference. Educating women about the impact they can make in the world of technology and seeing other women be successful in the field will be a great driving force to get more women into technology. Having diversity and different perspectives from people from different backgrounds and life experiences is the key to any successful industry. 

I’d advise other female professionals to always speak up and share their opinions but also be willing to collaborate and learn from the people around you. Being a team player is essential in the world of technology and cybersecurity. 

Currently only just over a quarter of the technology workforce is female – and this may lead many women to move away from it. We need to ensure technology education and opportunity is accessible to everyone. I would advise my younger self to never doubt or underestimate talent and ability. Never stop learning, strive to improve every day and be a better version of yourself. Having confidence and believing in your ability are the key to success and having an impact in any career path. 
 
Sara Custer, Associate Software Engineer, Content Security, Barracuda

I started college in pre-pharmacy. Then, with only about one semester left, I realized I didn't enjoy what I was doing. My parents are both in the technology and security fields, and they recommended that I try an introductory course in programming. I was sceptical, but my parents saw traits that indicated that I might enjoy it: I loved solving intricate puzzles, learning new concepts, and reading just about anything. They were right.

If technology it’s something you’re even remotely interested in or curious about, take an introductory course or a boot camp or pick up a tech book. If it’s programming you’re interested in, there are lots of free resources, such as HackerRank. During my computer science/technology degree I was often just one of a few women, but I wasn’t treated any differently. It was a little intimidating and challenging at times, but you need to be confident and believe in yourself. Every profession and career path will have its challenges.
  
Conversations around the gender gap in STEM can focus more on fields such as medical, mathematical and research – I never thought of technology as part of STEM. It’s the least talked about. My high school didn’t have a single technology class – and offering technology earlier in education will really help to raise awareness. I also think having a mentor once you start your career is a great idea. Mentors provide support, a resource, and a feeling of community in the workplace. One of the reasons I chose Barracuda is its mentoring program.
 
I’m still in the very early stages of my career, but if I had to give any advice to my younger self it would be to slow down a bit – I had an overarching fear of my ability to become a software engineer being impacted by not finishing my degree in four years with a plethora of relevant experience. So, I attended conferences such as Black Hat and DEFCON, started portfolio projects, and more. At the end of the day, these fears were largely self-imposed. You can take a breather, you’ll get there.
 
Joyce Torres, Software Engineer, Content Security, Barracuda

I was training to be a musician and a relative suggested I investigate computer science. I was thrilled to discover that I could remain creative, solving problems through code. To encourage more women into technology and cybersecurity the best thing they can do is try it out – take a programming class and see if you like the problem-solving aspect of it. Women need to see the many possible jobs that can come from having a tech background. Change and advances come so fast in technology that I would tell my younger self to always be in a posture of learning.

Leela Suvada, Manager, Software QA, Engineering, Barracuda

I decided to pursue a career in technology because it is always evolving and has the potential to have a positive impact on society. I am passionate about using technology to make a difference in the world.

One of the most effective ways to inspire more women to pursue tech careers is to show them role models they can relate to. Employers can demonstrate the significant impact made by female professionals to the success of the company, highlighting successful women by showcasing their work, acknowledging their achievements, and increasing the visibility of their accomplishments. All this will be a source of inspiration and motivation for other women.

Training and mentorship programs that focus on the needs of women will also help to support and recognise their potential and career goals – especially if they help women to progress into more senior or managerial roles, where they can become role models for others.
 
Soma Sinha, Senior Manager Business Application, Engineering, Barracuda

I was fortunate that even though many people still underestimate the potential of women in technology, my parents sent me to study computer science. I joined the tech industry in 2004 and have seen many female leaders who have inspired me. Each of them emphasized the same thing: focus on your priorities, take pride in and enjoy and celebrate every phase of your life. I believe that diversity brings different perspectives and enables every individual to prepare and perform better.

I hope that as leader I can help other women by encouraging them to do the following – to participate in diversity technology fora such as the annual Grace Hopper celebration; share success stories of female leaders, provide equal opportunities and career inclusion for women, and lift those with talent to the next level in their careers. Here at Barracuda, I’m lucky to be surrounded by brilliant, highly qualified women. We raise each other up and enable our world every day with small yet impactful positive changes and actions.
 
Arati Sethy, Manager, ZNTA Software Engineering, Barracuda

I am an engineer at heart, and I grew up fascinated by automated machines for the mining and metallurgy industry. I learned early on that technology is a great resource for solving many challenges in life. Softer skills such as nurturing skills or the ability to see and assess vulnerability are as suited to technology careers as programming and software engineering skills – because they can help to drive phenomenal positive change. For example, if you feel the internet is unsafe, choosing a career in cybersecurity could enable you to innovate to protect vulnerable people online. The world needs this.