“WiCyS has been a community that made me believe in my potential and my place in cybersecurity. The 2015 conference was a turning point that gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and pursue my passion with purpose. Now, I am dedicated to giving back and supporting the next generation of women in cybersecurity, ensuring they have the same opportunities and encouragement I received.”

—Andrea Frost, Senior Software Security Engineer, Dell Technologies

Andrea’s path to cybersecurity is as unique as it is inspiring. With a Bachelor of Arts in German Language and Literature from Western Washington University, she graduated in 2003 without a clear career direction. Instead of pursuing a position related to her degree, she embraced the life of a “ski bum,” spending winters skiing and snowboarding while working in restaurants and firefighting during the summers.

However, a trip to India and Nepal changed everything. Andrea developed an illness that left her sick for two years and she simultaneously needed multiple surgeries on her foot after a work injury. As her physical abilities diminished, so did her lifestyle. Faced with a dire situation, Andrea moved back in with her mom and began searching for a new career path that could provide stability.

In her early 30s, Andrea returned to school. She chose to pursue computer science, drawn by the field’s promising job opportunities and financial prospects. As she immersed herself in her studies, she discovered a growing interest in cybersecurity. Despite her passion, Andrea often felt isolated in her master’s program due to the lack of diversity, particularly the scarcity of women in her classes. This sense of isolation motivated her to seek out conferences and communities where she could connect with others in the field.

It was through a graduate advisor that Andrea was introduced to the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) organization. In 2015, she applied for and received a student scholarship to attend the second annual WiCyS conference in Atlanta, Georgia—a turning point in her journey.

At the conference, Andrea found herself surrounded by positive messages of belonging and encouragement. The conference speakers emphasized the need for diverse backgrounds in cybersecurity and assured attendees that there was a place for everyone. This boost in confidence led Andrea to connect with a recruiter from Ionic Security at the career fair, who encouraged her to apply for a cybersecurity role. Despite feeling like a “fish out of water,” Andrea took the leap, crafted a resume and landed her first cybersecurity job as an Analytics and Data Science Engineer at Ionic Security. She embraced the opportunity, moving 3,000 miles away from home and gaining invaluable experience during her year there.

Andrea’s career trajectory continued to rise after her first WiCyS conference. At another tech conference, she reconnected with WiCyS Founder Dr. Ambareen Siraj, sharing her job success and expressing her gratitude for the WiCyS student scholarship. This led to an invitation to speak at the 2016 WiCyS Conference in Dallas, Texas, where Andrea delivered a lightning talk titled “Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition.” The talk, inspired by Monty Python and the movie “Sliding Doors,” highlighted how seizing opportunities can significantly alter one’s career path.

Andrea graduated with her Master of Science in Computer Science from Western Washington University in 2017 and now works as a Senior Software Security Engineer at Dell Technologies. While her team is predominantly male, Andrea finds immense support and inspiration from the WiCyS community. She values the inclusive and encouraging environment at WiCyS conferences, which energizes her and has allowed her to build a strong network of other women in the field. Her involvement with WiCyS has shown her the value of diverse perspectives in solving cybersecurity challenges. Based on her experiences, she believes prioritizing students and industry newcomers is essential to bridging the cybersecurity workforce gap.

Now, having attended the annual WiCyS conference for nine years, Andrea’s journey has come full circle as she pays it forward through her involvement in the WiCyS Career Growth Hub. She played a significant role in creating this “hub” at the annual conference, where she and other volunteers provide resources such as resume review, mock interviews, professional headshots and career conversations to help newcomers and industry professionals navigate the cybersecurity field. Reflecting on her own experience of landing her first job at a WiCyS conference, Andrea aims to offer the same confidence and support she received, ensuring future generations of women in cybersecurity have the tools they need to succeed.

As Andrea continues to inspire and mentor the next generation, she embodies the spirit of WiCyS—where diverse backgrounds and experiences are not only welcomed but celebrated. Her story highlights the critical need for inclusivity and support in cybersecurity, paving the way for a future where everyone, regardless of their background, can contribute to solving the industry’s most pressing challenges.