See It To Be It Spotlight

I got into cyber through…I grew up in Kolkata, India, the daughter of an engineer and a homemaker. My love of math and science drew me to follow in my father’s footsteps. After earning an undergraduate engineering degree at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, I traveled to the United States to pursue graduate studies in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland.

There, I learned about an emerging area: information assurance. The field captivated my attention, and I’ve been involved in cybersecurity ever since. In 2001, I founded Electrosoft, an information technology firm specializing in cybersecurity.

For me, a positive cyber mindset is…There is always more to learn, and I am a willing student. Cybersecurity is ever-changing due to technological advancements, AI, new federal requirements, and, of course, the growing sophistication of the tactics employed to defeat current security measures.

Staying current is mandatory, and devising new strategies is exciting. Still, even the most sophisticated countermeasures are often undermined by the human factor. Education of employees is equally important to thwart the phishing attempts, password thefts, and other devices that enable many successful breaches.

The relevant skill that helped me transition to a career in cyber is… I believe my background in coding was a definite asset. So, too, were my problem-solving and analytical thinking capabilities; communication skills; and being someone who enjoys collaboration and being part of a team. Not surprisingly, many of these same skills informed my studies in electrical engineering and easily transferred to cyber.

The quote I live by is…“Nothing happens by accident.” These words motivate me to work hard on whatever goal I set out to achieve as luck or accident will not take me far. They also remind me that I control my own fate and perseverance is the vehicle for success.

The biggest influencers in my career are… Many people helped shape my career, but the biggest influencers were undoubtedly the founder/CEO of a company where I once worked and my husband. The former taught me a great deal about cybersecurity technology and federal government contracting, especially the bookkeeping requirements. He provided guidance during the initial years of my entrepreneurial journey, offering sage advice, partnering referrals, and unwavering confidence in my abilities.

The other notable person is my husband. His encouragement and support throughout the various ups and downs of establishing and running a business have kept me in the game and inspired me to greater heights.

My recommended read is…Lead the Field by Earl Nightingale. It is a seminal work that has influenced my management philosophy as well as those of presidents and CEOs around the world. For me, a key principle is integrity, which Nightingale calls the seed for achievement. It has not only influenced my approach to management but also how I live my life. He speaks of the person on the white horse – the leader – as the one who must set the example. There’s no shirking that role.

 I also follow Nightingale’s suggestion in “The Miracle of Your Mind” chapter. He recommends writing out the most important question on your mind every morning on an empty sheet of paper. In doing so, the subconscious will tackle the problem and often find an answer. It’s remarkable how solutions will come, often at the most unexpected times.

What did you enjoy most about being a part of UWIC?

I spoke at the 2024 October UWIC Cyber Guild Event in DC. I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful women who are fellow cybersecurity enthusiasts. I learned about their stories and discussed ways we can support one another. It’s so important for diverse women in the cybersecurity field to network and enrich both their personal journey and cybersecurity as a whole.