Celebrating Women in Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with AI-driven threats, supply chain vulnerabilities, and Zero Trust security models reshaping the way organizations defend against cyberattacks. But there’s another shift happening—one that’s just as important: the growing presence of women in cybersecurity leadership.

At Kudelski Security, we believe that diversity in cybersecurity strengthens our industry, fostering new perspectives, better problem-solving, and more innovative approaches to risk management. This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting the journey and insights of Delphine Guex, Vice President of Managed Detection and Response (MDR) at Kudelski Security.

With a career spanning law enforcement, IT leadership, and cybersecurity operations, Delphine is no stranger to breaking barriers. In this interview, she shares her career journey, insights on cybersecurity in 2025, and advice for women looking to thrive in the industry.

From Chasing Criminals to Chasing Cyber Threats

Delphine’s career path is anything but conventional. Before entering the cybersecurity world, she started her journey in the police force tracking criminals.

“I started in police investigations, pursuing criminals,” she recalls. “Later, I transitioned into IT leadership, where I held various technology management roles at Nestlé and Nespresso for over 10 years.” Interestingly, Delphine’s first connection with the Kudelski Group dates back to before the Kudelski Security part of the business was created.

“I worked at Kudelski 15 years ago in the IT Department when the cybersecurity unit hadn’t been created yet. Eventually, I moved into IT leadership roles elsewhere – but years later, I was invited back to help structure and scale Kudelski Security’s operations.”

That invitation, however, came with a big challenge:

“Even though I came with a strong IT background, my knowledge in cybersecurity was low, Delphine admits. “But my role wasn’t to be a technical expert—it was to bring strategic thinking, leadership, and operational efficiency to a rapidly growing security business.”

Cybersecurity in 2025: The Challenges Ahead

As Delphine now leads a global team of 150 cybersecurity professionals, she has a front-row seat to the evolving threat landscape. She identifies three key areas where organizations will need to double down in 2025:

1. AI-Driven Threats Require AI-Driven Defense

“Cybercriminals are already using AI-powered attacks – which means defenders need to leverage AI and automation to detect and respond faster than ever before. The window between an initial breach and full-blown attack is shrinking to under three days. Without real-time AI-driven threat detection, organizations will struggle to keep up.”

2. Zero Trust is No Longer Optional

“The shift to Zero Trust security is now a must-have, not a nice-to-have. Organizations need to move away from traditional perimeter-based security models and adopt continuous identity verification and least privileged access. It’s the only way to counter modern attack tactics.”

3. The Human Factor Remains the Biggest Vulnerability

“Social engineering and insider threats remain some of the most successful attack vectors. Many breaches happen because of human error, not technical weaknesses. That’s why companies must invest in continuous security awareness training—not just once a year, but ongoing, role-based education.”

Beyond these challenges, Delphine highlights ransomware threats, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the rapid adoption of cloud and IoT as areas that demand increased vigilance.

“Companies are expanding their attack surface by relying on third-party vendors, cloud services, and connected devices. This makes it easier for attackers to exploit weaknesses in supply chains and cloud environments. Organizations need to scrutinize their partners’ security postures just as much as their own.”

Women in Cybersecurity: Making an Impact

As a female leader in cybersecurity, Delphine acknowledges the industry’s gender imbalance—but she’s also seeing positive change.

“I interact with CISOs globally, and it’s encouraging to see more women stepping into leadership roles in cybersecurity. When we host CISO summits, the exchange of ideas between men and women brings a powerful, diverse perspective that strengthens security strategies.”

But she knows there’s still work to be done. For women aspiring to cybersecurity leadership roles, Delphine offers the following key recommendations:

1. Speak Up and Take Up Space

“Women in leadership roles are still underrepresented. To change that, we need to advocate for inclusive hiring practices, make our voices heard in meetings, and push back against Imposter Syndrome. Even if you feel like an outsider, you belong in cybersecurity. Your skills, insights, and leadership are valuable.”

2. Join Professional Networks and Communities

“There are strong cybersecurity communities that support women, such as Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS). Being part of a professional network can help you gain mentorship, build confidence, and stay connected to the latest industry trends.”

3. Invest in Continuous Learning

“The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving. Women looking to grow in this field should:

• Attend major security conferences like Black Hat, DEF CON, or RSA
• Pursue industry certifications such as CISSP or CISM
• Stay engaged with emerging technologies like AI, Zero Trust, and quantum cryptography”

Final Thoughts: Cybersecurity Needs More Women Leaders

Delphine is optimistic about the future of women in cybersecurity, but she emphasizes that it’s a journey—one that requires mentorship, advocacy, and continuous learning.

“This industry has been male dominated for years, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. Women have the intelligence, leadership, and strategic thinking to make a real impact in cybersecurity. We just need to step up, own our space, and drive change.”

Her final message?

“Cybersecurity is evolving fast. The threats are getting more advanced—but so are we. If you want to lead in this field, start now. Speak up, learn, and take action. The industry needs you.”

Protecting Businesses in an Evolving Threat Landscape

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, AI-powered, and targeted, organizations must take a proactive stance on detection and response. That’s exactly what Delphine and her team do every day—helping businesses stay ahead of attacks through Kudelski Security’s Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services.

Our MDR experts work as an extension of your team, providing real-time threat monitoring, rapid incident response, and cutting-edge threat intelligence to keep your business secure.

Want to strengthen your cybersecurity posture? Learn more about our MDR services here: Kudelski Security Managed Detection and Response