ABOUT ME

In this section you can find out more about me, what I do and why I do it, and what I have done during my career.

Awards

Here are the awards I’ve been a finalist for along with the awards I’ve won over the course of my career.

Achievements

Find out more about things I have achieved during my career.

Qualifications

Discover the qualifications I have that allow me to offer my skills and expertise to my clients.

Case Studies

Read about how things progress from a booking to a presentation.

MY WORK

In this section you can find out more about me, what I do and why I do it, and what I have done during my career.

Cyber Security Unity

Find out more about my cyber security content hub and community that aims to unite the industry and help combat the growing cyber threat.

Qualitest

Find out more about my work with Qualitest Group

#IISAD

Find out more about my role as co-founder of the International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Month with Nat Schooler and Kim Adele

SERVICES

In this section you can find out more details abot the services I offer using my skills and experience to their best for my clients.

Cyber Security Awareness

I offer a professional cyber security training and awareness service to help organisations and stay safe against cyber-crime.

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Content Writing

I offer a professional content writing service mainly in the cyber security and tech space.

Marketing Consultancy

I offer a marketing consultancy service to help ambitious organisations solve their key strategic marketing challenges

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Coaching & Mentoring

In June 2022 I passed my Level 5 Diploma in Life Coaching and decided I wanted to use this to help others as a Coach and Mentor in the cyber security industry.

Keynote Speaking

My strong experience in cyber security, business and neurodiversity has led me to becoming a strong keynote, motivational and inspirational speaker. I have many “ready to go” slide decks which are detailed below, but I can of course create a bespoke talk and presentation on any of my specialist subjects.

CONTENT

In this section you can discover the types of content I have created such as books, published articles and white papers.

Published Articles

Discover a selection of articles I have written for industry magazines.

Books

I have published several books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and is also working on others.

EVENTS

In this section you can discover the types of content I have created such as books, published articles and white papers.

Why Your Non-Cyber Colleagues Aren’t Listening To You

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In-Person Event: teissLondon2023 | Resilience, Response & Recovery

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In-Person Event: International Cyber Expo 2023

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LATEST

Find out the latest in what is going on with my website including news and blogs with more details.

NEWS ARTICLES

BLOG ARTICLES

All it Takes is a Beautiful Fake Smile to Hide an Injured Soul: My Take On World Suicide Prevention Day

All it Takes is a Beautiful Fake Smile to Hide an Injured Soul: My Take On World Suicide Prevention Day

Today, Tuesday 10 September 2024, is World Suicide Prevention Day, and I’m going to share some truths with you all. You may not feel like they are truths, but truths they are.

You are far more resilient and strong than you realise, and you are never, ever alone ❤️

No matter how low you are feeling, no matter how hopeless and dark you think life is, there is ALWAYS a way out ❤️

You are loved, you matter and you have a purpose in life, even if you feel you don’t ❤️

But how do I know that these are truths? I’d like to share some of my own experiences with suicidal feelings in the hope that if just ONE of you who is feeling like I did sees this post and reaches out to me for support, it will be worth it.

Having been there SO many times in my life because of abuse, bullying and trauma I know exactly what it is like to want to just not be here anymore and to think there is no way out. I’ve experienced this in all areas of my life throughout my life from family, at school, at college, from so-called friends and in the workplace. There is not a single area of my life that I haven’t experienced bullying and abuse.

The last time I felt like that was December 2021. I remember sitting in my Aunty Lena’s house before she moved to Worthing crying my eyes out over how I was being treated, utterly convinced I had failed. But I hadn’t failed. I had BEEN failed by others, time and time and time again in my life. There is a HUGE difference.

I’m sure there is also a direct correlation with the amount of bullying and abuse I’ve had aimed at me in my lifetime and the fact I am neurodivergent. Numerous studies have shown that those of us who are neurodivergent are far more likely to be targeted by bullies and abusers, and suffer higher levels of anxiety, depression and imposter syndrome as a result. I always think of the line in the film “Cool Runnings”, “We’re different, people are always afraid of what’s different.” It is SO true.

Fast forward to today and I can’t believe the difference. I will never, ever let ANYONE make me feel like that ever again, EVER – I don’t care who they are. I also accept my neurodivergent differences 100%. If others can’t that is their problem, not mine. It says FAR more about the bullies and abusers that they choose to treat me appallingly than it EVER will about me. Ironically since December 2021 I’ve had the best time of my life, and I’m sure it is no coincidence.

I know first hand what the pain and desperation is like. I know first hand what the train of thought is like when you feel that you have no way out. I know first hand the feeling of thinking that everyone will be better off without me. I felt all that and more inside, but I masked how I felt, put on a smile and pretended to the world that I was okay when I wasn’t, hence sharing this quote from the late, great actor Robin Williams.

I want you all to promise me something. If any of you reading this blog ever feel like this, no matter what time of day or night it is, message me on here and talk to me. I am a qualified mental health first aider, something I did to be able to help others, because I don’t want a single one of you feeling the way I have and thinking you are alone – you are NOT alone.

I’m very lucky to have an incredible support network of friends who have become family who have helped me so much, and I’m here for anyone who needs the same. I hate thinking that any of you are suffering in silence, like I did. That support network has come from the most unlikely of people, who I now count as good friends ❤️

For those of you who have been there for me, I can’t thank you all enough, but now it is my turn. Let me #PayItForward ❤️❤️

#SuicidePreventionDay
#HereForYouAll

Qualipride – A Shining Example of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Qualipride – A Shining Example of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

At Qualitest where I work we have something that is very close indeed to my heart, and something I am very proud to be a part of. When I found out about it, I just KNEW I had to get involved and support it as much as I could ❤️

We have a diversity and inclusion initiative called Qualipride 🌈 which is the Employee Resource Group (ERG) for LGBTQ+ identifying employees and their allies in Qualitest and anyone who wants to learn about the LGBTQ+ community.

Our mission with Qualipride🌈 is to:

– Create a vibrant community
– Provide a safe space and support
– Grow empathy and understanding
– Reach out and engage with our communities

The vision for 2024 is to grow Qualipride🌈 globally by growing locally.

I’ve been a member of the Qualipride🌈 Committee since November last year as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community and work closely with the Chair of Qualipride 🌈 James Barrett, CSM, PMP who is based in the USA. We’ve worked together on a variety of different initiatives, and I’m planning an event for Pride month in June at the UK Qualitest office in London. We don’t just focus on Pride Month though, we run events throughout the year and raise awareness around important landmark days such as Transgender Day of Visibility and World AIDS Day as examples. Recently we ran an “Introduction to Qualipride” webinar to introduce it to new employees, and to reintroduce it to existing ones. The link to the recording is here.

This is such an incredible initiative and one that I think all organisations should consider having to provide a safe space for their staff, and to be able to say to them it is okay to be yourself at work.

If you are interested in finding out more about Qualipride🌈 I’d love to arrange a call with you to talk you through it and how you can go about getting something similar set up, as well as getting buy in from senior leadership teams and boards. It is a shining example of what all organisations should be doing to support their staff and foster an inclusive culture for all ❤️ ❤️ 🌈 🌈

QualiPride InclusionInTech DiverseVoices EqualityAtWork EmpowerDiversity UnityInDiversity gInclusiveWorkplace CelebrateDifferences PrideInBelonging EmbraceDiversity InclusiveCulture DiversityMatters EqualOpportunities StrengthInDiversity AllWelcome RespectAndInclusion DiverseWorkforce

Awarded an MBE in June 2023 for Services to Cyber Security and Diversity and Inclusion

Awarded an MBE in June 2023 for Services to Cyber Security and Diversity and Inclusion

Last year on Monday 15 May I received a letter out of the blue that was marked “On His Majesty’s Service”. At first I thought what on earth is this, then when I opened it and saw the contents I had the shock of my life.

I had been awarded an MBE in King Charles III’s first birthday honours list for services to cyber security and diversity and inclusion 😁😁🎊🎊

 

Never in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined something like this happening to me, it was a dream come true and my imposter syndrome went through the roof! Then on Tuesday 19 December last year I got to go to Windsor Castle to be presented with my MBE by the King himself. It was a day I will never forget and the experience was so surreal, especially when I talked to King Charles about cyber crime, hacking and artificial intelligence, all of which he said to me he is “frightfully concerned” about. I have no idea who nominated me or who put me forward for an MBE, but to whoever you are, if you are reading this I’m sending you a massive massive thank you 🥰🥰
 
I also send my congratulations to everyone else included on King Charles III’s first birthday honours list, especially my fellow cyber security colleagues and particularly Dr Jessica Barker who was also awarded an MBE.

I will keep fighting the good fight against cyber criminals and fighting for true equity in all areas of life 💪💪

My Frankie, my son in heaven….this is for you 🎊🎊 xx

Nominated for a Women’s Society of Cyber Jutsu Award

Nominated for a Women’s Society of Cyber Jutsu Award

I was absolutely floored to get an email from the Women’s Society of Cyber Jutsu  in the States saying I’ve been nominted for an award in their “Cyber Mentor” category! I have no idea who nominated me, but I want to send a HUGE thank you to whoever it was.

The awards will take place alongside #CyberjutsuCon 4.0 on June 24th where you can get a day full of hands-on training, panels and discussions around cyber and careers. This will be followed by a networking reception and the awards ceremony.

Good luck to all those nominated and although I can’t be there in person, I hope to be able to join virtually.

“The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume Three” Released for International Women’s Day 2024

“The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume Three” Released for International Women’s Day 2024

Lisa Ventura MBE and Cyber Security Unity Limited is pleased to announce the release of “The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume Three” through new cyber security publisher Security Blend Books.

As a woman in the cyber security industry who had a non-linear journey into it, Lisa, who is based in Worcester in the UK, was inspired to compile volumes one and two in 2020 and 2021 respectively, as well as volume three, which is a collection of interviews from diverse women in cyber security industry to help give a voice to women in the industry and to act as an inspirational guide to women who might be thinking about taking their first steps into a career in cyber security but think they lack the skills or competencies to do so.

“The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume Three” is a compilation of inspiring interviews from women in the cyber security industry from all over the world who are pioneers and leading the way in helping to protect the world from the growing cyber threat. Those who are included and featured in this book shared not only their stories but also their hints, tips and advice to women who are looking to pursue a career in cyber security or change their career path into cyber security. Their tenacity and commitment to their careers in the cyber security industry is very impressive.

Speaking of the release of the book, Lisa Ventura MBE said: “I entered the cyber security industry in 2009 having spent the first part of my career working in the entertainment industry working with Chris Tarrant, the host of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” before Jeremy Clarkson took over. I knew that I wanted to stay in cyber security, but it soon became clear that I was a minority as a woman in the industry which was dominated predominantly by men. In 2019 I was at a talk at Infosec in London given by Professor Sue Black, and it was during this inspiring talk that I had the idea for “The Rise of the Cyber Women” book series. The interest in it was huge, so much so that I am already working on volume four to be released next year in line with International Women’s Day.

“I wanted to give a voice to women in cyber security globally and showcase their inspiring journeys into the industry in the hope that it helps and inspires other women to consider a career in the industry, but who may be put off because they think it is very male dominated and because they think they need a technical background to enter it. I was honoured that so many amazing women shared their stories with me for the book and hope it will be a valuable resource to women looking to enter the cyber security industry.”

James Bore CSyP of Security Blend Books said: “This is the latest instalment in the series as it continues to reach new heights in showcasing the achievements of women in the cyber security industry. It is well worth a read for guidance and inspiration!”

“The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume Three” is available now on Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Cyber-Women-3/dp/1738515338/.

The Rise of the Cyber Women Volume 3 – Submissions Now Open

The Rise of the Cyber Women Volume 3 – Submissions Now Open

+++ Calling all women or those who identify as women in cyber security +++

After a hiatus of a couple of years, I’m compiling “The Rise of the Cyber Women: Volume 3” to be released on Friday 8 March 2024 – International Women’s Day. The format of the book will be a bit different this time, as it will be a collection of interviews from women or those who identify as women who are leading the way in the cyber security industry.

If you would like to take part, please download the Q&A here and return it to me completed with your responses via lisa@csu.org.uk. I will provide a copy of the book to all those who are chosen to participate, and I would love to showcase women or those who identify as women who have had a non-linear pathway or journey into the cyber security industry.

The deadline to send back a completed Q&A to me is Friday 23 February 2024, but the sooner the better please for the best chances of inclusion in the book.

I’m so looking forward to showcasing some of the amazing and talented women we have in the cyber security industry today to help inspire the next generation into careers in cyber, and I hope you will be part of it ❤️ ❤️