In May, we celebrate the diverse cultures, heritage and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities around the world, including all people of Asian, Polynesian and Pacific Islander ancestry. In celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are spotlighting Neha Malhotra for her service as a longtime volunteer with ISC2 and Committee member of the ISC2 Singapore Chapter.

With more than 18 years of experience working across IT security, cybersecurity and tech management, Neha is an expert at prioritizing business objectives while strengthening organization’s security frameworks through cybersecurity risk management.

Neha holds several technical and management certifications including the CISSP, CCSP and CISM, and is an active member in the cyber community, routinely speaking at industry conferences and contributing to initiatives with the Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP). She was also honored with two ISC2 Global Achievement Awards in 2021 for her outstanding work as a mid-career professional championing diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity field.

Driven by her desire to make the world a better, more secure, cyber-safe place for everyone, Neha became a volunteer with ISC2 in 2018. “I strongly believe that we all have the responsibility to give back to the community, raise cybersecurity awareness for the public, and work towards building the cyber talent pool,” Neha said.

 

She has contributed to numerous volunteer efforts over the years, including serving on the Women’s Scholarships review board, the Center for Cyber Safety & Education board, and speaking at the ISC2 Secure Singapore Conference as well as several ISC2 BrightTALK webinars .

Neha Malhotra, CISSP, CCSPAs a member of the ISC2 Singapore chapter, Neha consistently gives back to the community through mentorship, educating and raising cybersecurity awareness for the public, and contributing to diversifying the profession. Through initiatives like Women in Cyber, she has focused on helping more women enter and excel in the cybersecurity field. Neha is proud to have worked towards bridging the gender gap in cyber, “It’s heartening to hear stories firsthand from women mentees where our guidance has played some part in shaping their career and success stories.”

During Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Neha recognizes the need to honor the rich history, culture and traditions of the diverse communities that make up the Asian diaspora around the globe. “It’s really heartening and empowering to observe this month, Asian and Pacific Islander communities bring so much value to the world,” Neha said.

For Asian and Pacific Islander professionals looking to enter the cybersecurity field, Neha recommends leaning into community, “cybersecurity is a team sport, so collaboration in the wider industry is key.” Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights while leveraging networking opportunities with industry professionals to continue learning and growing within the field.

Neha underscores that volunteering is for everyone. “We all bring something unique to the table, whether it is someone who has been here for decades or a young professional embarking on their career journey,” she said. We all play an important role in making the cybersecurity field a more inclusive space that welcomes talent from diverse communities, and volunteering in any capacity helps contribute to that effort.

  • Learn how you can increase your hiring appeal as a security professional with the CCSP certification in this BrightTALK webinar featuring Neha Malhotra, CISSP, CCSP as a guest speaker.