About Me
I’m Lisa Ventura MBE, an award-winning cyber security awareness and culture specialist, keynote speaker and author. I’m the Founder of Cyber Security Unity (formerly the UK Cyber Security Association), a global community membership organisation that is dedicated to bringing individuals and companies together who actively work in cyber security to help combat the growing cyber threat.
As a consultant I also work closely with cyber security leadership teams to help them collaborate together more effectively and I provide cyber security awareness and culture training. Over the years I’ve worked with numerous cyber security and infosec organisations including Proficio Inc, Boost Technology Group, Blue Voyant, CyBourn, the UK Cyber Security Council, Logistics UK, HOOP Cyber Security and most recently with Qualitest to name but a few. I have a unique perspective on the cyber security industry and specialise in creating and implementing go-to-market plans, brand awareness and positioning cyber security and infosec organisations as thought leaders and experts in their fields to help them get one step ahead of their competitors. Recently I worked with Pinsent Masons Solicitors various aspects of their global cyber security awareness programme which comprised of cyber escape rooms, phishing email simulation exercises and carefully curated internal communications to promote good cyber hygiene to help prevent cyber-attacks.
I have a huge interest in the human aspects of cyber security and in raising as much awareness as possible of the growing cyber threat, not only to businesses of all sizes but also to the general public. As such, I strongly believe that we are stronger together as an industry to help combat the growing cyber threat, and through my work at Cyber Security Unity my aim is to bring the industry together and end the long-standing siloed working in cyber security that has been so prevalent.
I have specialist knowledge in the following areas:
- The human elements of cyber security and social engineering
- Cyber psychology
- AI and cyber security
- Supporting women into careers in cyber security
- Supporting those who are neurodiverse or from different backgrounds into careers in cyber security
- Bullying, abuse and narcissism
- Mental health issues, in particular managing stress, and burnout – especially in relation to the cyber security industry
- Imposter syndrome
- Diversity, equality and inclusion
- Neurodiversity
- Leadership, managing teams and business development
As a result of the work I undertake in the industry I am often invited to be a keynote speaker and panellist at various cyber security, technology, IT and business conferences and events.
I sit on the following boards and I’m also a member of:
- Think Digital Partners as their Cyber Security Advisor
- Member of the Advisory Council for the National Cyber Security Show and International Security Expo events in the UK
- Member of Tech UK’s Regional Council
- Member of Tech UK’s Skills and Diversity Council
- Advisory Board for the newly created World-Wide Women in Cyber Security (w3-cs) Association
I am an award-winning writer and my blogs “Cyber Geek Girl” “Life Body Soul Spirit” and “Frankie’s Legacy” all focus on different areas and aspects of my life. I am also a published author and have recently contributed articles to Counter Terror Business Magazine, Infosecurity magazine and the BPMA Magazine amongst others. My books entitled “The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume 1 and Volume 2” and “The Varied Origins of the Cyber Men: Volume 1” are available on Amazon Direct Publishing. I have other books in the pipeline including one called “Picking Apart The Threads: How One Docu-Film About Nuclear War Influenced a Cold-War Generation“, which was conceived through my strong interest in all things related to nuclear war which will include a foreword from the actor Reese Dinsdale who played “Jimmy” in the BBC docu-drama about nuclear war in the UK called “Threads”.
I’m passionate about raising awareness of the growing cyber threat globally and actively supports women, those from minority backgrounds and those who are neurodivergent into careers in cyber security. My books “The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume One, Volume Two and Volume Three” and “The Varied Origins of the Cyber Men: Volume One” were released in 2020, 2021 and 2024 to great acclaim. I self-published “The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volumes One and Two” and “The Varied Origins of the Cyber Men: Volume One” through Amazon Direct Publishing, and “The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume Three” was published on 8 March 2024 via Security Blend Books (www.securityblendbooks.com).
I’m a trauma informed therapist and coach for CISOs and other cyber security professionals and offer help and support to those affected by stress, burnout, bullying/abuse, and mental health issues in cyber security and Infosec. I’m a qualified Mental Health First Aider through Thrive Neurodiversity and Mental Health and have undertaken the Thrive Neurodiversity in the Workplace training course which I passed in January 2024, allowing me to go into workplaces and train them about the benefits of hiring neurodivergent people.
Neurodivergent and proud
I am a strong advocate of all things related to neurodiversity since I was diagnosed as #ActuallyAutistic in 2018 and with ADHD and BPD traits in January 2023. I am also a strong supporter of promoting cyber security as a career path to those who are autistic and neurodivergent and being a mentor to those who are considering entering the cyber security industry.
I have been a finalist in and won numerous awards for my work in the cyber security industry. I won SC Magazine’s “Outstanding Contribution to Cyber Security” award and was also named “Cyber Security Personality of the Year” by the Cyber Security Awards. In 2024 I won the Cyber Security Award in the 2024 Everywoman in Technology Awards, and in 2020 I won the “Positive Role Model for Gender” award in ITV News’s National Diversity Awards. In 2022 and 2024 respectively I was named as one of IT Security Guru’s “Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Security. “ However, the pinnacle of my success in the cyber security industry came in in June 2023 when I was awarded an MBE in King Charles III’s birthday honours list for services to cyber security and diversity/inclusion, something I still can’t fully believe to this day.
I have also been included on various cyber security lists including:
- IT Security Guru’s – Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Security in 2022 and 2024 respectively
- We Are Tech Women’s Top 100
- WISF’s Power 100 list of the most inspiring women in cyber security
- IFSEC’s Global Influencer list
- The Evening Standards’ Top Cyber Security Influencers to Follow
- Computer Weekly’s Most Inspiring Women in Cyber and Tech
During the earlier part of my career and before I entered the cyber security industry in 2009 I worked with leading TV and Radio Personality Chris Tarrant at his management company. I oversaw Chris’s involvement in “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” where it was a huge hit in the UK, regularly beating “Eastenders” in the ratings, and it also went on to be a global phenomenon. I helped to ghostwrite Chris’s 1997 book “Tarrant off the Record”, and I was also involved in the launch of the Worcester Three Choirs Festival Fringe which first took place in 1999 which was the precursor to the now popular Worcester Festival. I was also the Founder and Festival Director of the Worcestershire Literary Festival from 2011 to 2013.
I love nothing more than mentoring others and sharing my industry insights in the main passions that I have in cyber security, neurodiversity, and mental health. I am a born campaigner and campaigns tirelessly for issues that are close to my heart such as imposter syndrome (I am a Co-Founder of International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day), early pregnancy loss/stillbirth, mental health issues and stress/burnout.
I have a strong and unrivalled ability to take complex security technologies and text and turn this into straightforward, jargon free language that is easy to understand. As an autistic woman in the cyber security industry who also has ADHD I am often called upon to share my experiences of being neurodiverse and how neurodiversity can be a force for good in all areas of life.
A lifelong learner, I continually develop and enhance my skills through exhibitions, trade shows, networking events and via attending conferences, courses and seminars. In my spare time I love reading, blogging/writing, walking my beloved dog Poppy, sci-fi, films/cinema and self-development/positive thinking. I also have a strong interest in all things related to nuclear war and collects books, documentaries, and films on this subject.
To find out more and to contact me, please email enquiries@lisaventura.co.uk
My Blogs and Work
My Skills
- Cyber Security Awareness Training – 95%
- Cyber Security Consultancy – 95%
- Cyber Psychology – 95%
- Social Engineering – 95%
- Human Elements of Cyber Security – 95%
- Diversity and Inclusion Specialist – 95%
- Neurodiversity – 95%
- Go To Market Strategy – 95%
- Marketing and Brand Awareness – 95%
- Content Creation – 95%
- Blog & Content Marketing – 90%
- Press Releases – 85%
- Adaptive – 90%
- Learning New Skills – 95%
- Wordpress – 85%
- Communication – 95%
Contact
Free Phone:
0800 772 0155
Email:
enquiries@lisaventura.co.uk