For the past few months I have been busy planning out how to relaunch Cyber Security Unity (formerly the UK Cyber Security Association) and focusing on my day job, so I haven’t posted on here or updated my blog. In addition to this, I am currently still on a very intense healing journey and been having EMDR therapy which has taken a lot out of me (special thanks go to my therapist Ben Chapman for his help and guiding me through my healing journey, I couldn’t have done it without him). Then in early April 2022 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and some days it takes everything I’ve got to get through the day when everything hurts so much.

Despite all this, I will not let what happened to me and let fibromyalgia beat me. Although I must learn to pace myself more and understand that I can’t do what I used to do, I still want to focus on the things I enjoy. To that end, as of January 1st 2023 I will be available again for speaking engagements, panel discussions, panel moderation, podcasts, videos, and article/blog commissions.

I missed out on a few things last year while healing and re-focusing such as being a part of International Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day which I co-founded with Nathaniel Schooler and Kim Adele. I wasn’t in the right place be a part of it this year – my EMDR therapy led me to feeling like a huge imposter and I didn’t feel that it was right that I take part in it.  Slowly but surely I feel I have a bit more confidence, motivation, and drive than I’ve ever had before and I am looking forward to the next steps in my career journey, and finally re-launching Cyber Security Unity.

If you would like to book me to speak at your event, moderate panel discussions, take part in panel discussions, be a judge for your awards or commission me to write any blogs/articles please reach out to me via enquiries@lisaventura.co.uk. I would love to consider your requests now that I am back in circulation again.

Date: Thursday 9 December 2021
Time: 4pm UTC

The event schedule for the first ever Imposter Syndrome Awareness Day on Tuesday 13 April 2021 has been released:

10.00am: Panel Discussion with Lisa Ventura, Cristina Magro, Mark Giles, Paloma Garcia and Professor Lisa Short – “Taming the Imposter Within”

11.00am: Webinar – Flipping the Script on Imposter Syndrome with Lisa Ventura

12.00pm to 2.00pm: drop-in session to chat about imposter syndrome

3.00pm: Panel Discussion with Nat Schooler, Kim Adele, Melissa Sassi and Dona Sarka – Beyond Imposter Syndrome: Feel Confident, Be Courageous & Achieve Your Goals

4.00pm: Fireside Chat/Q&A with Lisa Ventura and Vicky Laurens – Leading Others Who Have Imposter Syndrome

6.30pm: Webinar – Flipping the Script on Imposter Syndrome with Lisa Ventura

To sign up to attend these events on Streamyard visit www.overcomingimposter.com. 

Recently I took part in an online chat with IsoNation giving a warning to businesses about the rise of scam and phishing emails and some advice about what businesses can do to help protect themselves against this. I was chuffed to bits that my advice was featured in my local paper the Worcester News this week

It is SO easy for someone to be taken in by a scam email, as phishing attempts are getting more and more sophisticated, especially around COVID19. Cyber criminals’ prey on our insecurities and fears and know how to press our “buttons” to get us to click on something we shouldn’t. I’ve heard about TONS of businesses who have been taken in by scam emails and lots thousands of pounds as a result.

My work is all around cyber security awareness and education about the growing cyber threat. In my industry it is said that people are the biggest weakness, but they can also be the greatest strength against combatting cyber-crime and online fraud. Education around this is key.

If in doubt, do NOT click on a suspect email and feel free to email me via hello@lisaventura.co.uk, I’ll always try to help.

Be safe, be sure…and be secure – don’t get caught out by scammers.

Happy new year to all my family, friends, colleagues and contacts – the roaring ’20s are almost with us!

I have achieved things I never thought possible in 2019, and my last post focused on everything that has happened to me over the last decade. I could NOT have achieved all those things without your support – it has meant the world to me.

I hope that 2020 is a good year for you all, I certainly intend to make the most of every day and make it as good as it can be – despite the ongoing challenges I face.

Life is not a dress rehearsal, you only get one chance and one shot at it. Make it count.

Whatever you are doing to celebrate the new year tonight, have fun and stay safe. I will be snuggled up in my warm home with my wonderful husband Russell and my beloved dog Poppy, but I will raise a glass of Prosecco to you all.

Happy new year everyone – see you all in 2020!

Much love,

Lisa xx