3. Biz Network Oct 73-104.qxp_Chamberlink 27/09/2024 12:51 Page 75
ENTERPRISING WOMEN
Dr Vasileiou appearing on BBC East Midlands
home that day and asked for a computer for Christmas. The answer was a big “no”. I was a Greek girl, about to become a Greek woman – I was expected to get married very young, have children as soon as possible. Then, I would need to work in the public sector from 9am – 1pm. That would give me enough time to get home, look after the children, cook dinner – all before my Greek husband came home. I had other ideas. I’d discovered computers. I knew what I wanted to do and that was something that involved working in the digital sector. I saw the world differently to how my parents and Greek culture did. So, in September 2000, I packed three bags and moved to the UK and started my degree in computing. I had a boyfriend - he was Greek. I was doing a degree, living abroad, all without a ring on my finger. So, at the age of 24, I had to get engaged. At 27, I had to get married. Yet, by then, I had a degree in computing, a PGCE and had signed up for a doctorate in education.
Dr Ismini Vasileiou Photo courtesy of Redpix Photography
unsophisticated. Good cyber security systems and practices can prevent attacks. Some of this is really basic stuff: one of my favourite ways of putting it is “Passwords are like underwear – change them often”. Has it been harder to do what you do because of gender inequalities? There’s a backstory here that, in the circumstances, I think is important to share. At the age of eight, in front of my class and parents, my teacher said that I was thick and I wouldn’t go very far. I can’t remember if I cried that day but I do remember being determined to prove to everyone that I was not thick. Different maybe, but not thick. In 1995, aged 16, there was a pilot at my high school. It was the very first time I sat in front of a computer. I loved it, so naturally I went back
‘Women are often judged differently to men. If I present my opinions, I’m opinionated. If a man presents his opinion he knows what he’s talking about’ I wanted to carry on with my career and studies. I got my doctorate in education and had this title of doctor everyone aspires to. I also had two kids and a divorce. I was a single mum with two boys and a good academic career but my parents didn’t know about the break-up. Six months on I told them. My mum’s response: “Well, what did you expect? You’ve got an attitude and a career and you thought it was going to last?” I was speechless. It was just the start, I was a single mum, people bypassed my feelings, my achievements. It was hard. During that time I reflected and realised that no one did anything wrong, no one meant to hurt anyone, we just saw the world in a different way. These approaches exist in all parts of life. Take STEM for example, how many women are there working in STEM? In leadership roles in STEM? Not enough. It’s getting better, but it’s not what it should be. Women are often judged differently to men. If I present my opinions, I’m opinionated.
FOCUS
If a man presents his opinion he knows what he’s talking about. Cyber security and the world I work in is still very male dominated, I think that makes it harder for women to achieve, but we still do. Our culture and background shape and sculpt us but there are steps we can all take to undo those biases. We can educate ourselves. We can educate our children. Little by little things will improve and we can change society. Diversifying the sector is something I am passionate about – I was named academic champion at the Cyber Diversity Awards run by Ethnic Minority in Cyber (EMiC) for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Everyone benefits when we bring different views, experiences and approaches to work together – whatever the sector. So, in answer to the original question, it’s been harder than it needed to be to get to where I am. That’s in part because of my gender but also because of my background. But I wouldn’t change it. I may not have got here if those obstacles didn’t exist and of course, I had to prove that I’m not thick. Tell us about your role at de Montfort University? My role at DMU as an associate professor is about driving regional digital skills development, cyber security initiatives and industry partnerships. I supervise PhD students and lead research projects in cyber security and technology-enhanced learning. What are the big cyber security threats right now? The way cyber criminals target businesses and organisations is constantly evolving. However, the main themes behind cyber-attacks remain relatively consistent: • Ransomware attacks which prevent you from accessing your device – a criminal group will then demand a ransom in exchange for decryption. • Attackers leveraging AI to create more convincing phishing campaigns. • We're seeing an increase in cloud-based threats – misconfigurations and inadequate access controls can be exploited by criminals. • Supply chain attacks. As bigger companies become more secure, attackers move down the chain in an attempt to exploit multiple businesses in one. • Phishing. Human error is still high up on the threat list. Attackers continue to trick users into opening fraudulent emails, instant messages, and text messages. They then steal user data including login credentials and credit card numbers. Phishing attempts get ever more sophisticated. • Mobile device vulnerabilities also leave companies open to attack. Will the UK ever get to grips with cyber security? The UK, like every other country, may never completely eliminate cyber threats, as bad actors will continue to evolve their tactics. However, through collaboration between government, industry, and academia, alongside a focus on cyber resilience, education, and innovation, the UK and other nations can significantly strengthen their defences. The goal is not just to prevent attacks, but to minimise their impact, adapt to emerging threats, and ensure rapid recovery across the global cyber security landscape. October 2024 business network
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