International Women’s Day 2022 #BreakTheBias
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Report 06 March 2022 06 March 2022
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 and this year’s theme #BreakTheBias, we asked some of the female leaders in our cyber team to reflect on their unique career paths and offer their advice to women wanting to forge a career in cyber.
There are exciting challenges for women in cyber and International Women’s Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate women’s achievements, break down bias by challenging stereotypes, and showcase the talented women working in the cyber industry.
Ahrani Ranjitkumar
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I’m a Special Counsel in the Australian Cyber team and I work across insurance coverage matters concerning cyber incidents. I also undertake incident response work which includes triaging incidents, considering privacy obligations that may flow on from an incident, responding to third party claims and regulator investigations. I lead a team of vibrant cyber professionals who share the same passion and interest, which makes my workday fun.
How did you end up working in cyber?
I started my career as a professional indemnity insurance lawyer and I’ve always had an interest in technology. Working in cyber insurance was a way for me to bring together my professional skills and my interests – it was a no brainer.
Also, being a relatively new type of insurance product, it created a level playing field. You’re not working behind ‘seasoned’ lawyers who have 30+ years’ experience (and are good at two finger typing). Every lawyer is relatively new to the field and it creates an opportunity to quickly go up the ladder and break those glass ceilings (that definitely exist at certain firms).
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber?
You do you. Find a workplace that accepts you for who you are and is willing to back you. If they don’t then move on. Life is too short.
Sarah Wood
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I look after client care and business development for the team. I’m here to ensure our clients are supported, and that we are identifying new opportunities to make sure we continue to meet their needs.
How did you end up working in cyber?
My background is actually in economics, and I started off as an analyst at the New Zealand Treasury. When I left the public service, I transitioned to business development – presenting budget package options to busy Ministers set me up surprisingly well to do business development in the consulting world. I started at Clyde & Co in the cyber team late last year and was attracted by the fact that the landscape changes so rapidly, especially from a policy and regulatory perspective!
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber?
Find the part of the cyber landscape that truly interests you. For me, that’s translating technical material into digestible concepts for the non-technical.
Brigitte Gasson
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I work across all areas of the cyber team – from dealing with the immediate incident response, vendor engagement and communications strategy, to carrying out a privacy assessment, notification campaign and handling any regulatory engagement that follows.
Recently, I have been involved in a number of global data breach incidents, where we assist our clients in understanding their potential notification obligations to regulators and data subjects around the world.
How did you end up working in cyber?
Having a background in large-scale litigation, I was looking for something fast-paced, where my matters would not drag on for years. An old colleague and friend referred me to the cyber team at Clyde & Co, where I have been able to make use of my legal skills while learning about cyber security and incident response from the ground up.
A career in cyber – and more specifically incident response – allows me to help clients in their time of need, while working closely with various third parties to ensure we meet tight timeframes and get the best outcomes for our clients.
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber?
Don’t hold back – this is a newly emerging area of law with huge opportunities for growth and development. Given everything in this space is moving so quickly, you can really get involved in the area interests you most and make it your speciality.
Suzanne Wilson
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I am responsible for managing operations across the cyber practice here at Clyde & Co. I like to see myself as the glue that binds the practice and work to ensure that the Partners and I are delivering an exceptional experience for our team, facilitating an exceptional experience for our clients, and delivering exceptional results for our firm.
How did you end up working in cyber?
Following university, I was fortunate to have a varied and interesting career in law and corporate banking technology and project management before broadening my range into operations management. Working in cyber has provided me with the opportunity to combine and utilise a lot of my experience and skills in a fast-paced, exciting and very relevant industry.
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber?
Consider your unique skills and how they fit into the cyber industry. In an area of such incredible growth and innovation, there is an ever-expanding opportunity for anyone with an honest and material interest in cyber to develop their own pathway into it and achieve great success. Get out there and meet as many people as you can in the industry and consider the excellent courses that are now being offered by many reputable providers.
Raeshell Staltare
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I am a Special Counsel specialising in technology, media, data and privacy related disputes. I help our clients close off what is usually a very intense period for them following a cyber-attack, data breach or even a misdirection of funds at the hands of a fraudulent threat actor.
I represent our plaintiff clients – who are usually seeking to recover costs and losses incurred as a result of a cyber event – and our defendant clients – who usually seek to challenge claims made against them in relation to various alleged breaches.
How did you end up working in cyber?
In many ways, I think my cyber career chose me and I couldn’t be happier for it.
Prior to practising law, I had a successful career in broadcast media. As a junior lawyer I started my litigation career in commercial litigation and insurance, but it was my media experience that led me to develop a media law specialisation which encompasses everything from defamation litigation, intellectual property and privacy law. Typically, media practice groups sit alongside technology practice groups – so I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to gain amazing experience working on complex technology disputes in addition to media work.
It was the culmination of all my experience which resulted in me taking on my current role at Clyde & Co which neatly brings together and bundles up all my litigation experience to date. The role could not have been curated more perfectly for someone with my experience!
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber/tech law?
Stay true to your passion and get involved in organisations, committees and associations which are aligned with tech and cyber law. Don’t be timid in reaching out to specialists in the area and ask for their suggestions on how to start carving out a career in this space then be relentless in your pursuit of great opportunities.
Most importantly, never ever give up on your desire to pursue your passion – chances are, once you get there, you’ll love it and be absolutely brilliant at it.
Aida Kashefi
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I support cyber Partner Reece Corbett-Wilkins, as well as the whole cyber team. My job involves a range of different tasks and there is always something to learn every day. I am always trying to be positive and inspiring and to build respect, trust and connection beyond the working relationship. Believe me, this way you will love your job more!
How did you end up working in cyber?
I studied a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering years ago. I then moved to Australia and with all the new opportunities I knew it was time to embrace what I’m passionate about – law. So here I am! Life is so short but is a long series of seasons, never be afraid to adjust your goals to fit the season.
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber?
Take risks, think big and be open to opportunities. One little step will lead to hundreds of new paths. Always try to meet new people and get to know them with an open heart and life will surprise you in the most beautiful way. Oh, and if you love surprises, come on in! Cyber is your field!
Caitlyn Bellis
What role do you play in the cyber team?
I am a graduate lawyer in the cyber team which offers me the chance to be involved in a wide range of areas – from triaging cyber security incidents to reviewing privacy and sanctions advices.
An essential requirement for the fast-paced, complex work we do is a sense of enthusiasm. Contributing to a team culture that values the creation of genuine connections while providing dedicated support to our clients makes me excited to come to work.
How did you end up working in cyber?
I was looking to be a part of something that requires innovation and creativity to address new legal challenges – and the constantly changing cyber landscape provides me with that opportunity. Witnessing how interwoven technology is with our day-to-day lives, it is exciting to be part of a practice that helps clients navigate this evolving space and plays a significant role in shaping cyber incident response globally.
Best advice for women wanting to get into cyber/tech law?
I was once told that before taking a job, ask yourself: “do I want to become more like the people there?” Know your values and always strive to be genuine in your interactions. With this as your foundation, anything is possible.
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