Dina Atwell

from Women In Security Magazine Issue 11

Gabrielle Raymundo

Manager, Cyber Insider Threat and Technical Investigations at Capital One

Like so many women who have shared their career journeys, Dina Atwell — who lives in Washington DC — ended up in cybersecurity by chance. She was “one hundred percent certain” she wanted to be a lawyer when she decided to apply for internships in Washington, thinking this would be a good place to start putting in applications to law schools.

She was accepted for an internship in the State Department and ended up in what must be one of the hottest spots in cybersecurity anywhere in the world: conducting analysis to identify, monitor, assess and counter the threats posed by foreign cyber actors against US information systems, critical infrastructure and cyber-related interests.

“They took a chance on me, even though I was transparent that I did not have cybersecurity experience but was willing and excited to learn,” she says. “Once I was immersed in the position, I loved it. I was learning every day and it was like a whole new world opened up to me. I realised I could parlay my investigative passions with cyber.” Today she is still in a threat analysis role, at a higher level. She is manager, cyber insider threat and technical investigations with Capital One, a financial services company in Mclean, Virginia.

“I didn’t have a clear vision. I knew what I enjoyed: creating and strategizing for insider threat programs and people leadership,” Atwell says. “Having those interests in mind and really just trying to contribute in that area led me to a more formalised role where that’s now my day job.”

Atwell did her internship at the State Department while studying for a Bachelor of Arts in political science at Monmouth University and then went on to gain a master’s in homeland security from the same university. However, she sees some of the most important skills needed for her role as being communication, curiosity and analysis, and says these can be developed and honed through any major. “There are many different roles within insider threat and technical investigations you can pursue: from more of a project manager role to more of a technical role.”

CULTURE RULES

When contemplating taking on a new role, Atwell sets great store by company culture. “Culture rules over everything for me, and can really influence how you feel about your work. You can have the same exact position and role in two different companies with different cultures, and the experience can be wildly different.” Her current employer, Capital One, “really puts emphasis on the people and living certain values, which encourages a people focused culture.”

Of her role there, Atwell says: “There are two things I find the most rewarding: one, keeping Capital One, its customers, employees and data, safe. Everything our team does daily drives this overall mission. Second, I love being a people leader. I enjoy helping others and I try to be a positive force on all of my teammates. Nothing makes me happier than seeing one of my associates get a well-deserved promotion or recognition.

“I always encourage others to go after what they want, and I’ve seen nothing but success when motivated individuals transition into cyber, even from a completely unrelated field.

“I think it takes so much courage to leave a field where you may be comfortable and jump into something that may be totally new. I always encourage others to talk to as many people in the industry as possible, really expose themselves to all the different fields in cyber, try to get an understanding of a day in the life, and see where their talents can shine.”

www.linkedin.com/in/dinarusso

Stone & Chalk Group is proud to be supporting careers in Australia’s cyber security industry

As the largest innovation community in Australia, the Stone & Chalk Group is proud to be a sponsor of the Australian Women in Security Awards 2022.

Through AustCyber, part of the Stone & Chalk Group, we are focused on growing Australia’s vibrant and globally competitive cyber security sector. With our cyber security innovation nodes and hubs, we’re supporting the cyber security needs of all, including startups, scaleups, companies and government.

To find out more about cyber security workforce, jobs, career pathways, training and education, visit us at

www.aucyberexplorer.com.au