Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the fairer sex's contributions to the workforce and advocate for greater representation. While progress has been made, women still account for only 33% of senior leadership roles. Fields like cyber security remain male-dominated, with women holding a mere 25% of jobs (though representation is gradually increasing).
At GYTPOL, we'e proud to be led by the inimitable Tal Kollender, who started her cyber security journey early in life, as a teenage hacker. When she transitioned to the defensive side of the equation a few years later, she was often the only woman in the room.
Over time, she came to appreciate this as a strength — another way to help her stand out and make a memorable impression.
With Tal at the helm, GYTPOL has nurtured a culture of collaboration, innovation, and fearless problem-solving. We challenge the status quo and believe that bringing together different perspectives is key to success.
Rather than hiring based on preconceived notions of what an employee should look like, our focus has always been on talent. The result? More than half of our senior leadership team is women.
That speaks volumes about what happens when you remove bias and focus on expertise. In the span of this article, it's my pleasure to introduce you to some of my favorite colleagues who just happen to be bad-ass, inspirational women in security.
VP of Channel Partnerships
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into cyber security?
I've held various leadership positions, managing diverse teams across multiple disciplines, including Sales and Marketing. I found a natural home in the world of cyber security; it piqued my curiosity from the start — requiring strategic thinking, adaptability, and the ability to anticipate challenges. It also gave me the opportunity to work with some of the best brains in technology, which was challenging but also fun.
Years later, the dynamic nature of the work still keeps me engaged and continuously learning, which is something I highly value.
How do you see the role of women in the field changing?
As the role of women in the high-tech industry in general continues to evolve, we're seeing more women entering STEM and cyber security programs. This is good news for women — where female professionals can take on more strategic and leadership positions, helping to shape the future of cyber security from multiple angles.
In addition, the remote work model that first gained widespread adoption during COVID seems to be sticking around (at least to some extent) — which is good news for women, as it offers flexibility and has already started to remove some of the barriers that might slow a woman's career trajectory; especially if she's striving to have it all, at work and at home.
Why is it important that women are represented in cyber security?
Diversity in cyber security is critical because the industry thrives on innovation and problem-solving. To me, our differences are our strengths and seeing things from different perspectives helps with creative problem solving and outcome optimization. In many cases, I think women may operate with a stronger sense of intuition and a greater ability to multi-task than men, for example. These capabilities can be a real differentiating asset.
And generally, it only makes sense that the teams building and protecting our digital world reflect the people they serve.
What’s the single best piece of professional advice you’ve ever gotten?
The best advice I ever received was to take control of my own career path. The more you push forward, the more doors you’ll open for yourself and for future generations of women in the field.
There will always be competing priorities, whether personal or professional, and the key to personal fulfillment (which can be also called "success") is finding a balance that works for you.
This advice was especially relevant when I became a mother and had to navigate work-life balance in a demanding dynamic industry.
You have to learn to compromise – I realized that, and redefined my work paradigm to seek opportunities that aligned with both my career ambitions and my personal values.
VP Strategy & Alliances
Tell us a bit about how you got started in cyber security.
My journey began in the world of sports, where I was a squash champion, developing the same qualities that gave rise to success in the world of cyber security: discipline, resilience, and an unrelenting drive to win. Competing on the global stage, I honed my ability to think strategically, adapt under pressure, and push beyond my limits.
My path took a pivotal turn during my military service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), where I was exposed to the fast-paced, high-stakes world of cyber security. Inspired by the challenge of defending against evolving cyber threats, I pursued a degree in Computer Science, combining my problem-solving mindset with deep technical expertise.
I spent six years at Claroty, a leading industrial cyber security company, where I played a critical role in driving security innovation and protecting enterprises from sophisticated attacks.
Today, I bring the same determination, strategic thinking, and competitive mindset to my work at GYTPOL.
In what ways do you think things might change for women in cyber security over the next decade?
The barriers that once existed are being challenged, with more women in security stepping into technical roles, leadership positions, and driving innovation.
Coming from a background in competitive sports, I’ve always believed that success is about determination, skill, and mindset rather than gender. The same applies to cyber security, where diverse perspectives are essential for tackling today’s evolving threats.
Women bring unique strengths, including collaborative leadership, strategic vision, and resilience, all critical for navigating the fast-paced world of security.
As more organizations invest in inclusivity and mentorship, we’ll see a stronger pipeline of women rising into CISO, CTO, and executive leadership roles — shaping security strategies at the highest levels.
For me, it’s not just about breaking barriers. It’s about proving that success in cyber security, like in sports, is about performance, dedication, and the ability to outthink your opponent.
The more we push forward, the more less women entering the field will question if they belong; they’ll just know that they do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Take responsibility first. Before pointing fingers or looking outwards, start by asking yourself, What can I do better? Growth comes from self-reflection and the willingness to improve.
At the same time, it’s important to step into another person's shoes and understand the why behind their actions, whether it’s a colleague, a leader, or even an adversary. Understanding different perspectives not only strengthens relationships and teamwork, but also helps in making more strategic, informed decisions.
Whether in sports, cyber security, or leadership, success isn’t just about being the best — it’s about constantly learning, adapting, and seeing the bigger picture.
Are there any women in particular who have helped shape your career trajectory?
My mother. She made me believe in myself and taught me that anything is possible.
Director of Customer Success
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you began your journey in cyber security.
While studying East Asian Studies in college, I was looking for a job with flexibility. My sister worked at Check Point Software Technologies and convinced me to join the Order Entry night shift.
Before long, I transitioned into Technical Support, and by the time I completed my degree, I was already managing a team. I was never deeply hands-on with technical tasks, but I had a strong understanding of the technology and excelled in team building, training, and people management.
How do you see the role of women in cyber security evolving over the next 5-10 years?
Cyber security is no longer just about deep technical expertise. It increasingly requires skills in risk management, compliance, communication, and strategic thinking. Women bring diverse perspectives and strengths that enhance cyber security teams' effectiveness.
I believe the next decade will see women playing a much larger and more visible role in cyber security, not just as analysts and engineers, but also as CISOs, researchers and thought leaders.
What’s the one piece of advice that's had an outsized impact on your career?
As a non-technical woman in cyber security, one of the most valuable pieces of advice I ever received is, "you don’t have to be the most technical person in the room, just the one who can bridge the gap.”
Cyber security is not just about coding, pen-testing, or configuring firewalls; it’s about solving problems, managing risks, and communicating effectively.
What advice would you give young women today looking to get into cyber?
With the right mindset and approach, women can thrive in this field. My strongest advice would be to join communities such as Leading Cyber Ladies and Security BSides. Forums like Reddit’s r/cybersecurity, LinkedIn groups, or OWASP can also be really helpful.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, we are excited to acknowledge the immense contributions of women in security.
Trailblazers like Tal, Limor, Mor, and Inbal are not only breaking barriers but are also reshaping the industry with their diverse perspectives and innovative approaches.
With their dedication and vision, they are paving the way for a future where more and more women are leading the charge in cyber security. Together, we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in order to foster a more inclusive and dynamic industry for the next generation.