Editor’s note: Abby Zhang is a security analyst at Kordia, a chapter lead for the New Zealand Network for Women in Security, a board member of the ISACA Auckland Chapter and a security researcher based in New Zealand. Zhang recently visited with the @ISACA newsletter to discuss her role as a SheLeadsTech ambassador, needed progress for women in the digital trust fields and her areas of interest as a researcher.
Today (8 March) is International Women’s Day. What comes to your mind when you think about the day and its importance?
Just be yourself. Dream big and dare to try. You are stronger and more powerful than your imagination. Just believe in yourself and fail forward. You will come true to your dreams.
Tell us a bit about how you became interested in SheLeadsTech?
During my career changing point, I had self-doubt and was scared to change myself. All I heard around me were comments such as “You are not good enough,” “You are too old,” “You do not speak proper English,” and so on. I was giving up my dreams. I was lucky at the ISACA Auckland Chapter 2019 AGM event to meet SheLeadsTech speaker Jo Stewart-Rattray. Her presentation and story sharing was so inspiring that it changed my life. I was raised up by SheLeadsTech.
What has your role as a SheLeadsTech ambassador entailed?
I have been trying to empower more local women to dream big and believe in themselves via SheLeadsTech quarterly events, workshops and scholarship programs. I hope I can empower the women who are going through the same hard times as I once did and help to change their lives.
What do you see as being the most important challenges currently facing women in digital trust professions, and how can they best be addressed?
Women in digital trust professions face several challenges, including:
- Lack of representation: Women are underrepresented in digital trust professions, both in terms of employment and leadership positions.
- Gender bias: Women may face gender bias, including assumptions about their technical abilities, lack of access to networking and mentoring opportunities, and discrimination in hiring, promotions, and pay.
- Work-life balance: Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, particularly in roles that require on-call and around-the-clock availability.
To address these challenges, organizations and individuals can take several steps, including:
- Encouraging and supporting women’s participation in digital trust professions, such as through mentorship programs, scholarships and training opportunities.
- Addressing gender bias and discrimination through policies and training, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Promoting work-life balance through flexible working arrangements, support for childcare, and prioritizing mental health and wellness.
- Raising awareness about the importance of digital trust and the need for diverse perspectives in this field.
- Engaging with women and girls early on, including through outreach to schools and universities, to encourage their interest and participation in digital trust professions.
You are a security researcher – what topics do you find most interesting to learn about?
I am doing security research during my spare time. I am more interested in zero day and malware analysis. My life goal is becoming a good malware analyst or information security professional consultant.
What are your biggest interests outside of work?
Running marathons and ultra runs are my favorite hobbies outside of my work. I found this can make myself stronger on both the mental and physical sides.