Bio
We’re back with another entry of #HERpower.
This time, we’re speaking with Laura Zacchiroli.
She’s the ad-interim Exalate Chief Information Security Officer, or CISO, from NVISO, a leading Belgian cybersecurity firm.
She takes us through her journey from Italy to all over Europe and details how she came to her prestigious position and the challenges she’s faced along the way.
Globetrotter, cyber enthusiast, and curious soul. Born and raised under the Italian sun, Laura Zacchiroli, built her career in the cyber strategy field, working within consultancy firms across Italy and Belgium.
Currently, she works as manager at NVISO and ad-interim CISO at Exalate, while carry-on her mission to raise awareness around diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity sector.
The Conversation
Question: Thank you so much for joining me for the conversation today under our HerPower campaign. Can you please briefly introduce yourself and what you do?
Laura: My name is Laura. I’m Italian, but I’ve lived abroad for quite some years, which has had a huge impact on my career and perspective. I started working in cybersecurity five years ago and currently serve as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at NVISO, where I focus on cybersecurity strategy. We support our customers and partners in what they need from a security perspective.
Question: You have a strong technical background. Can you tell us more about it?
Laura: That’s true. I have a background that’s really technical and development-based, but I also have knowledge in legal, compliance, governance, and strategy. I studied political science, but during my Masters in Belgium, I was introduced to cybersecurity, which sparked my interest and led me to pursue it professionally. It wasn’t so long ago that people weren’t prioritizing it at all.
Question: How do you navigate being a woman in the male-dominated field of cybersecurity?
Laura: Being a woman in this field has its challenges, but I’ve found it’s becoming easier to find a supportive community. However, I still have to prove myself more and defend my knowledge and experience. Organizations are making efforts to bring more women into the field, but there’s still progress to be made in achieving gender balance.
Question: How do you feel about that? How do you navigate finding your voice as a woman in this industry?
Laura: It’s not easy to find your voice as a woman in this field, but at the same time, it’s less complicated than it was. It’s still a struggle, but there’s a growing sense of solidarity among women who share similar experiences. While I still face the need to continuously demonstrate my expertise and years of experience, I’ve noticed a shift where more people are willing to listen. I do think a lot of organizations are trying to bring women into our field more now. I also think that we’re helping each other and trying to create role models for each other. When I started my career, there were very few women in management positions. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m optimistic about the direction we’re heading in.
Question: What are the personal qualities or strengths that set you apart in your role?
Laura: I often joke that my strongest skill is being Italian. Coming from a country with its own challenges in politics and economics gives you the motivation to show the world what you’re capable of. Also, moving abroad as an Italian and having to deal with some of the stereotypes can be difficult. So I feel like I always have to demonstrate more. I constantly strive to understand the rationale behind decisions and encourage others to do the same. For me, it’s about finding my voice and perspective amidst the noise, being accountable, and driving positive change. As a CISO, the weight of responsibility is significant, which can sometimes make maintaining balance a challenge.
Question: How do you think the tech industry can encourage more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity?
Laura: We need to start the conversation about inclusivity and diversity at a younger age and provide more opportunities for girls to explore roles in cybersecurity. Additionally, showcasing successful women in leadership positions can serve as role models and inspire the next generation of female professionals. This year in Belgium, they nominated the C-level managers of the year, and a woman from NVISO won it. We should send people like her to school to speak to young girls
Question: As Gen Z enters the workforce, how should companies adapt to meet their expectations?
Laura: Companies need to understand the needs and expectations of the upcoming generation and prioritize inclusivity and diversity in their strategies. Ignoring these aspects could hinder their ability to attract and retain talent in the future.
Question: How can women in cybersecurity overcome biases and demonstrate their value in the industry?
Laura: I think we’ll have to deal with this bias for some time, unfortunately. People often say they value qualifications and merit and don’t look at gender, but if you look at the numbers, it seems like people still do. There’s definitely no balance. In order to fight that bias and get that balance, we need to keep making noise; we need to be louder. We should turn the women who reach higher levels into role models.
Question: If you could go back in time and restart your career journey, what advice would you give yourself?
Laura: I’d tell myself to trust my gut more and trust my instincts. If you think something’s wrong, it’s probably wrong, but you have to understand why in order to change it. I’d say believe in yourself more and in what you can achieve.
Question: If you could switch jobs with someone on your team for a day, who would that be and why?
Laura: I would like to step into the shoes of my CEO for a day to gain a broader perspective of the organization and understand the reasoning behind certain decisions.
Question: Could you share some interesting facts about your home country and its culture?
Laura: Being Italian comes with a rich cultural background and a strong sense of community. Despite living abroad, I’ve always appreciated the genuine connections and sense of belonging in Italian culture. I’ve lived abroad, in the Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium, and what I’ve always missed is that ability to instantly connect with someone on the street, that sense of community.
