This year the theme of International Women’s Day is “March Forward: For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Network Edge employs some incredibly inspirational and talented women and this year we’re shining the spotlight on one of the team – Fatima Mustahab, Security Analyst.
Since mid-2022 Fatima has been instrumental in keeping our customers’ networks safe from potential threats, educating their teams on the importance of this and even providing technical tests to ensure entire teams know how to spot a likely phishing or security threat and what to do when they do!
All this isn’t an easy task given Fatima is a wife, mother, manages a full-time job and still finds time to study and sit exams too.
Fatima achieves greatness without the spotlight, a continuous improvement specialist and has an always learning approach. She is already an ISO 27001 Accredited Lead Auditor, a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and holds a Digital Forensics certification. She is currently completing a master’s in information security at university, which will give her Deeper technical expertise and Strategic leadership capabilities to drive security governance and compliance initiatives.
Network Edge is enormously proud of her accomplishments and is proud to have contributed in a very small way in supporting Fatima to achieve some of her goals by providing a flexible and hybrid working environment a sense of belonging and empowerment and a family friendly approach to getting the work done.
We asked Fatima a couple of questions so that we can continue to uplift, empower and support each other now and into the future.
At Network Edge, I’ve experienced firsthand how a supportive environment fuels success. With flexible work-from-home options, a strong focus on work-life balance, and continuous learning opportunities, the company has empowered me to grow in cybersecurity. As a mother in tech, I’ve had the flexibility to balance my career and family without compromise. Through mentorship, upskilling programs, and leadership opportunities, I’ve been encouraged to advance and break barriers in the field. Network Edge doesn’t just promote inclusivity, it actively cultivates a workplace where women are valued, supported, and empowered to lead the future of cybersecurity. Because diversity strengthens security.
Cybersecurity is evolving rapidly, with AI-driven threats, deepfake scams, and sophisticated ransomware attacks on the rise. The future will see increased adoption of Zero Trust frameworks, AI-driven security, and stricter regulations to combat cyber risks. Companies must prioritize proactive threat intelligence, employee training, and robust incident response plans to stay ahead. Individuals need to adopt strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), and stay vigilant against phishing scams. As cyber threats grow in complexity, a culture of security awareness and continuous adaptation is essential. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a shared responsibility that requires constant learning and resilience.
"Embrace curiosity and never stop learning." The world will change faster than you can imagine, and technology will shape the future in ways you don’t yet understand. Ask questions, explore, and don’t be afraid to fail.
Believe in yourself, even when others have doubts. Your voice, ideas, and dreams are valuable. Stay humble, work hard, and lead with kindness, because character is just as vital as knowledge.
Cybersecurity has long been a male-dominated field, but the landscape is shifting. Women now represent around 24% of the cybersecurity workforce, an encouraging increase from previous years. Women bring valuable perspectives, problem-solving skills, and leadership to cybersecurity. As threats evolve, the demand for diverse talent is growing, making cybersecurity an exciting and open career path for everyone.
