“In my journey, WiCyS has been more than an organization—it’s been my anchor and my launchpad. It’s shown me that in cybersecurity, representation matters deeply. When I first attended a WiCyS conference in 2018, I saw women who looked like me, excelling and leading in this field. That visibility gave me the confidence to step boldly into my career. WiCyS not only transformed my path but empowered me to transform others’. It’s a community where we don’t just break barriers; we build bridges for the next generation of women in cybersecurity.”
—Smriti Bhatt
In the spring of 2018, Smriti Bhatt stood at a pivotal moment in her career journey. She was in the final stages of her PhD, grappling with the pressures of completing her thesis and navigating the daunting job market. Smriti was determined to enter the professional world with confidence and resilience. Seeking avenues to bolster her readiness for the future, she serendipitously encountered the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) organization.
In March 2018, Smriti received a student scholarship to attend her first WiCyS conference in Chicago. There, she witnessed a powerful vision: women excelling in cybersecurity at every career stage. Seeing women of color like herself making significant contributions in the field instilled in Smriti a sense of representation and empowerment, fueling her aspirations to make a similar impact.
After earning her PhD in Computer Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Smriti was brought on by Texas A&M University-San Antonio as an Assistant Professor. Her passion and belief in the WiCyS mission drove her to encourage her students to apply to attend the 2019 WiCyS conference on scholarship. That year, she attended on a faculty scholarship and accompanied four undergraduate students to the conference in Pittsburgh.
This experience was transformative for Smriti’s students, who were sincerely inspired by the abundance of opportunities within the cybersecurity field. They returned from the conference with newfound enthusiasm, and they established a WiCyS chapter at Texas A&M-San Antonio. Smriti served as their faculty co-advisor, mentoring and supporting the students as they built a robust community on campus.
In the fall of 2021, Smriti transitioned to a new role as an Assistant Professor at Purdue University. She discovered an established WiCyS chapter there and eagerly joined as a co-advisor. She attended the 2021 WiCyS conference with over 20 Purdue students, all of whom received scholarships. Seeing her former students from Texas A&M at the conference, now thriving and successful in their careers, reinforced the significant impact of her mentorship.
A highlight of the 2022 conference was Smriti’s opportunity to present and share her story on stage—an experience she had never imagined possible. In the following years, Smriti attended the 2023 and 2024 WiCyS conferences as a new mom, skillfully balancing her professional and personal life.
WiCyS has been a cornerstone in Smriti’s journey, helping her build the confidence needed to thrive in her career. Smriti’s story is not just about her own growth but also about the ripple effect of her efforts on her students. Witnessing her former students succeed and continue to engage with WiCyS conferences is a profound reward that represents the generational shift and the enduring impact of the WiCyS community.
As Smriti continues to share her story and inspire others, she highlights the importance of representation and the power of community in building resilient and confident cybersecurity professionals. Her journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support, one can achieve great heights and, in turn, lift others along the way.