To some it is the looks, to some it’s the simplicity, but for Danielle Jablanski it was the rapid evolution, the complexity, the enormous impact cyber security poses to our world that attracted. It was love at first sight for her, who wanted to be a Prosecutor, but went to study international security instead. Loving challenges and consistent problem solving attitude has helped her make her way through the tech world. During a recent virtual chit chat, with Associate Editor, Channel360MEA, Danielle Jablanski, OT Cybersecurity Strategist at Nozomi Networks shared some interesting experiences.
Tell us about your professional journey.
I wanted to be a prosecutor but attended grad school to study international security instead. When I went on to work in nuclear weapons policy, I was tasked with evaluating the ways emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, cyber, additive manufacturing, geospatial intelligence, etc. – would affect the doctrine or use of WMDs. I fell in love with theoretical cyber policy and realized too little private sector knowledge and technical veracity were realized in academia and policy. I decided to work in the private sector evaluating cyber-physical security technologies and working to enhance awareness and understanding of the risks to and need to secure critical infrastructure around the world.
What inspired you to join the tech industry and since when have you been a part of it?
Technology, what’s built, innovated, scrapped, and connected continues to evolve at a pace that once seemed impossible. Despite this pace, there are still many problems to solve. No solution fixes everything, processes and people remain paramount. While the mission of securing critical infrastructure inspires me, it is the consistent problem-solving, teamwork, and community-building that keeps me going in the tech industry.
Do you see less women working in the IT or Telecom industry? Give reasons for both yes or no.
I see less women in leadership roles across tech industries, and many incredibly talented and vital women often overlooked in support or non-technical roles. Having a bold and outgoing personality should not be a requirement for success in this field. Having a technical background is not the only need in the job market. There are women all around us that contribute to our mission every single day and are often overlooked because their jobs don’t require evangelism or high visibility. I think we can better serve these women and future generations by making sure there is room at every table for us, with more top female leaders that are not just a handful of shiny titles for unicorns.
Have your capabilities ever been questioned due to your gender?
Seniority, gender, age, etc. have all come up in my career with unfortunate biases from both men and women. Instead of dwelling on these, I have continuously sought out professional relationships with mentors whose respect I have earned intellectually from the start, and I am lucky to have found many champions both male and female. You should never have to prove to anyone that you belong at the table you are already sitting at. You’re there to do a job you are qualified to do, don’t waste any time getting it done.
Can you share an incident where being a woman helped you handle a particular difficulty better?
I think all of my experiences from how I was raised to my education and professional development all come into play in each scenario and circumstance.
Some things are taught, and other things are simply learned. As a woman, I’ve been taught to be an effective communicator; I have learned and continue to learn empathy. I have been taught business and marketing; I have learned cybersecurity practice and policy. What’s taught vs. what’s learned is different for everyone, but one key to success is to never assume you’re done learning or have nothing left to be taught.
What initiatives are your company taking to empower women to join the tech industry?
I have mentored and been a mentee through programs like Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS). I also spend personal time volunteering with programs like Code.org and Reading Partners. I believe the best route to empowering women is to help younger generations and anyone considering a career change to tech understand that they can chart their own paths and don’t have to follow any rules or paths to success. At Nozomi Networks we have pathways for employees and board advisors to represent themselves in many forums for professional development, diversity, and thought exchange. Our Diversity and Inclusion Board has also earmarked funds for cyber education in middle schools geared toward underrepresented groups.
