Introducing women with a deep interest in cybersecurity

Mei Hui is currently the Vice-President for Singapore Computer Society Cybersecurity Chapter. She is actively promoting cybersecurity career mentoring for students, and also works closely with AiSP on various programmes.

What brought you to the cybersecurity industry?

I had always been in tech and did my PhD in AI and machine learning. Over the years, I applied my data analytics skills to various areas, and cybersecurity was one of them. Cybersecurity is a very integrative industry that require knowledge and experience from various disciplines. As such, my journey into cyber security started from tech.

What were your defining moments in this industry, and factors or guidance that helped you achieve them?

I was awarded the Top 100 Women in Tech in 2020 for my contributions in tech and cybersecurity. It is an honour to be able to work with people from different disciplines and to learn during my journey.

What is it that you love most about your role?

Advancements in tech and applications to cyber security are constantly evolving. I’m always curious to learn more and reading up on new knowledge keeps me motivated.

Prominent Cybersecurity trends:

What are some of the trends you have seen in the market lately, and what do you think will emerge in the future?

There is a lot of discussion on the application of AI in cybersecurity. There are many new innovations in terms of data analysis for cyber security and automation, so that is one of the areas that will be of interest in the coming years.

Females in Cyber Security

What can we do to encourage more women to join the cybersecurity sector?

There are many resources available in the industry, such as programmes by SCS and AiSP. Never be afraid to seek advice and don’t stop learning. I have been active in various student programmes to help them learn more about different areas of cybersecurity. There are many disciplines within cybersecurity, and through exploring more one can find the area that is of interest to dive deeper into.

Final thoughts

How can you debunk the myth that cybersecurity is only for men? Is there any indication this stereotyping is changing?

There is definitely more and more women in tech and cybersecurity. The community has always been supportive on such diversity, and we also engage students to share with them more about possible career, course and certification options. I believe that it is through knowing what cybersecurity is that everyone can make an informed choice on which area they are suited for.