Women CISOs Advancing Secure Digital Transformation in Aviation

Deborah is an accomplished IT leader with over 25 years of experience in cyber security, risk management and data privacy. A CISO Hall of Fame inductee, she earns on several corporate and academic boards, operates innovation, education and protection of information tools worldwide.

In an engaging interaction with Global Woman Leader Magazine, Deborah presents her thought-provoking ideas and tips on how she succeeded as a woman CISO in the aviation sector, not only by developing resilience in cybersecurity and empowering women to speak up in technology, but also by promoting trust and collaboration in technological change.

In her thoughtful reflections below, Deborah gives us an interesting perspective of what it takes to lead with a sense of purpose, empower different teams and build the secure future of the global aviation industry.

As women CISOs in aviation, how have you navigated challenges in leading airline cybersecurity, and what lessons can other women leaders take from your journey?

Leading cybersecurity, whether in aviation, banking or any other discipline, is challenging for many reasons, not the least of which is just keeping up with the rapid changes and pace of technology and the weaknesses within it. 

My personal belief if whether you are a man or a woman, working in a challenging field like cyber, requires commitment and a level of “stick-to-it’ness” that is sometimes absent in people who want more immediate career growth and reward.  In short, you need to be in this field for the long haul. Drive and determination are required of all leaders.

Has your perspective as a woman leader brought a unique approach to securing airline operations or passenger data during a digital transformation project?

I’d like to think that my decisioning process has less to do with my gender and more to do with my sense of ethics and moral compass.  I always try to think about every passenger as a relative; the safety and security of every passenger’s information and every employee’s information is top of mind for everyone on my team.  Keeping it personal drives our determination and urgency with respect to its safety and security.

How do you inspire other women professionals in your teams to own critical responsibilities, and become visible security leaders themselves?

I want the women on my team to know they have a voice. Finding it can sometimes be a challenge. But I try always to be supportive of their ideas and encourage them to speak up and speak out. 

I have many women on the team with critical roles and responsibilities, and I work to give them platforms to be heard

– whether that is through leading internal discussions or meetings or speaking at industry conferences and events.

What strategies have helped you build credibility in airline technology spaces, and how can women leaders use these strategies to drive influence and trust?

I believe building credibility starts with listening and learning. I try to listen to my peers and to team members across information technology, many of whom are engaged in introducing new technologies and new ways of thinking and working, so that I can understand where security needs will exist that must be addressed.  As a team, we strive to work collaboratively to enable the vision and the objectives of our business partners and our peers, in a safe and secure way.  Strategically – start from “Yes and….” To emphasize the willingness to achieve business needs, and the need to do so securely!

Have you observed women’s leadership positively influencing airline cybersecurity outcomes through collaboration, empathy, and risk awareness?

I work to create opportunities for all members of my team to provide secure outcomes for the benefit of our customers and our employees. I try hard to be fair and objective with my expectations because adjusting them based on gender wouldn’t be fair to the members of my team who all work hard to perform at the top of their game. Where individuals require additional encouragement to speak up, I will gladly give it. Where ideas that benefit our customers and employees require sponsorship, I will try to be that sponsor. But I want every member of my team to feel equally engaged, involved and supported.

LAST WORD: Advice for Women Leaders Who Want to Lead Secure Digital Transformation in Aviation

I would say that you need to be fearless, and you need to be committed. Leading is hard; it can be difficult when you don’t see something come to fruition in a timeframe that you want it to happen in – be patient! If you believe what you are doing is the right thing for the company, for your customers or your employees, then stay committed and don’t waiver.  Sometimes you have to repackage an idea multiple different ways to get it ‘land’ with your audience or with leadership.  This requires creative thinking but above it, it requires patience and commitment. I think that is the key all women leaders who want to shape the future of security at any industry need to understand and apply.