Introducing women with a deep interest in cybersecurity

I am Chen Hui, the Cluster Director of Business Technology Group in IMDA, where I oversee IMDA’s efforts in developing the industry and research ecosystem around emerging technologies such as AI, Future Communications including 5G, and Trust Technologies. I am also the chair of Singapore Women-in-Tech and in the Exco of Association of Infocomm Security Professionals.

What brought you to the cybersecurity industry?

I joined the cybersecurity industry right upon graduation before the turn of the millennium and spent over two decades in it. At that point at the end of the 90s, cybersecurity is not a well known term. As a young graduate from Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, I didn’t know what cybersecurity was.

I was interviewing for jobs and the hiring manager in DSO National Laboratories (Singapore’s defence research and development organization) enthusiastically shared about about a role in the cybersecurity team. His passion and enthusiasm convinced me to join despite having no prior background in cybersecurity and I have stayed active in cybersecurity ever since.

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

I had opportunities to work in pure technical roles to more business roles, and from public to private sector. I am grateful that there have been supervisors, mentors and colleagues who had given me advise and provided the opportunities for me to grow.

What is it that you love most about your role?

The ability to architect Singapore’s digital future with industry and researchers. This role allows me to take a longer term view in understand the state of the technologies and strategise on ways that technology can create value for Singapore and Singaporeans.

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?

AI innovations enable us to have self driving cars, better medical diagnosis and many other innovations that can transform lives. At the same time, there are increasingly concerns that AI is creating echo chambers and accentuating inequalities. One important trend is to balance our need to encourage AI innovation with the building of public trust in the technology. This will include more transparency around how the AI algorithms are designed and what they do, increasing the robustness of AI applications through better design and cybersecurity, and that they are not biased.

Females in Cyber Security

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

We can start by exposing more girls who are still schooling to the exciting careers in cybersecurity. Career fairs, learning journeys and talks will increase their excitement over cybersecurity as a course of study and an option for a career. Making role models prominent is important, because girls can see that success is possible.

There are many non-technical career options in cybersecurity too. Recruitment can also be extended to young graduates from non-cybersecurity courses and non-technical courses to take on roles in cybersecurity.

And for those who have joined, we can also look at way to retain them as they go through the seasons of life, for example through family-friendly practices, continuous training and networking opportunities.

Final thoughts

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

From 5G to Web 3.0, emerging digital technologies are poised to change life and livelihoods. I hope that more will join us to create opportunities with these emerging technologies in a safe and secure way.