Sari Lindroos-Valimaki, MBA, CISSP, shares her experience of being neurodivergent and working in cybersecurity, along with her advice for others.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ISC2.
Cybersecurity isn’t just about protocols or patches. It’s about people. To protect systems that are as complex and unpredictable as the world we live in, we need minds that are complex and unpredictable too.
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong – because you think too much, question too often, or process differently – please hear this:
You’re not the problem. You may be the solution we’ve been waiting for.
The Superpower of Being Different
Neurodivergence isn’t a limitation. It’s a different operating system.
My curiosity has always been my engine. I question everything – not to be difficult, but because that’s how I process the world. I notice what others overlook. I connect dots that aren’t on the page and I rarely, if ever, take anything at face value.
That kind of mind doesn’t always fit in – but it sees everything.
Too many workplaces still struggle to understand difference – but it’s often the very thing that leads to resilience, innovation, and agility.
Not Just Leading – Doing
My path in technology spans nearly four decades. I haven’t just led teams – I’ve pulled cable, built fiber lines, written code, designed databases, configured firewalls and audited systems. I’ve physically walked infrastructure. I’ve evaluated risks in ways that went far beyond theory.
I’ve managed NOCs and SOCs, mentored rising talent and earned trust in environments where I once wasn’t even seen.
Being a woman in this space wasn’t easy. Being neurodivergent added complexity – but it also added power. I wasn’t shaped to follow; I was wired to observe, question and understand. I never just accepted systems – I studied them. I broke them. I rebuilt them stronger.
Why Diversity Is Security
In cybersecurity, sameness is a risk. A team that all thinks the same way will miss the same blind spots.
Real problem-solving happens when diverse minds collide – when we bring together people with different experiences, thinking styles, cultural backgrounds and ways of engaging with the world. That’s not chaos; it’s brainstorming at its finest.
Whether neurodivergent, neurotypical, technical, creative, old school, or cutting edge – we all bring something. The magic is in the mix.
Still Here, Still Guiding
I may be neurodivergent, a woman, and unapologetically old school – but I’m still here, mentoring, consulting, and helping others understand what it truly takes to secure systems and safeguard people.
My role today is not to compete, but to contribute. To remind others – especially those who’ve ever felt like an outsider – that there’s a place for you in this field. And it’s not on the fringe. It’s at the center.
What I Want the Industry to Remember
- Being different is the superpower. It’s what makes you valuable.
- Curiosity is not a distraction – it’s your compass.
- Not belonging everywhere may be your gift. It allows you to see everything with clarity.
- Legacy knowledge matters. And so does fresh perspective. But neither works well in isolation.
The strongest security posture is built on listening to people who think differently. Not because it's politically correct – because it’s strategically smart.
Sari Lindroos-Valimaki, MBA, CISSP, is a cybersecurity leader, hands-on technologist, and neurodivergent advocate with nearly 40 years of experience across IT, infrastructure, and risk. Known for her hacker mindset and systems-level thinking, she has designed networks, led NOC and SOC teams, pulled cable, written code, and mentored the next generation of cyber talent. Now semi-retired due to disability, Sari continues to consult, mentor, and write about politics, democracy, and justice on her Substack.
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