As part of our Women in Cybersecurity Month, we are highlighting women and their careers, accomplishments and passions. This spotlight features CEO and CISO Theresa G. Blackwell-Frank, CISSP who passionately educates others on cybersecurity safety.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ISC2.

I’ve been a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for many years, working alongside various organizations and agencies to protect their digital landscapes. It’s a job I’ve always taken seriously, but for a long time, my focus was squarely on corporate and government networks –until a jarring incident involving my own family opened my eyes to the broader need for cybersecurity education.

Motivation for a Cybersecurity Career

It happened early one morning, when I received a panicked call from a close relative. My loved one explained that her grandmother, who was in her late seventies, had fallen victim to an online scam. By the time they realized something was wrong, thousands of dollars . Worse yet, there seemed to be no avenue for recovering the funds. In investigating the situation, it became heartbreakingly clear that the scammers had deliberately targeted an elderly person, exploiting her lack of familiarity with modern threats.

This grandmother – who mostly used her tablet to play Candy Crush – didn’t recognize the red flags that so many of us in the cybersecurity world see instantly. She simply wanted to play her games in peace but instead found herself conned by someone who preyed on her trust. Even though I’m used to dealing with security breaches in high-pressure corporate environments, seeing how personal and devastating these attacks can be on a loved one was a sobering reminder that the dangers extend well beyond the workplace.

I realized in that moment that it wasn’t enough to ensure employees in organizations that I support understand cybersecurity, our families, friends and communities need the same level of knowledge to protect themselves. So, I made a promise to myself: whenever I’m asked – and even when I’m not – I would volunteer my time to teach others about cybersecurity awareness. Whether it’s a local community center, a senior citizen group, a school, or a neighborhood meetup, I will be there to share tips in terms everyone can understand. After all, knowledge truly is power – and in this case, the power to avoid scams, identity theft and cybercrime can be life-changing.

Educating and Helping Others

Over the years, this mission to educate has shaped me every bit as much as my professional experiences. I’ve seen individuals, young and old, gain the confidence to navigate the digital world safely. I’ve watched grandparents learn to spot phishing emails, parents become more vigilant about their children’s online activities and teens learn the value of protecting personal data. Every success story reminds me why I started down this path in the first place – and how a single call for help can spark a lifelong devotion to keeping others secure.

Cyber threats aren’t going away and the fight against them requires constant vigilance. By passing on even the simplest pieces of cyber awareness knowledge, we equip people with the tools they need to protect themselves – and that, to me, is a cause worth championing every day.

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