Women in tech: Julie Davila, VP of global field CTO operations at Sophos

How would you summarise 2022 for yourself, Sophos and the local/global tech industry?

Recently, I’ve been appointed as the leader of Sophos’ inaugural global field CTO team. I’m excited about the opportunity to make an impact on our mission of improving security outcomes.

Within this function, I think about large-scale challenges such as increasing economic constraints that could impact how organisations invest in cybersecurity to keep up with an ever-changing threat landscape, including the growing impact of ransomware on critical infrastructure organisations.

What are your expectations for 2023?

The reality is cyber attackers are constantly changing their tactics, techniques and procedures and sharing their new attack methods with other criminals.

My goal is to take what we’ve learned in 2022, continue to observe attacker behaviors in real-time and use Sophos’ collective knowledge and deep expertise to help organisations better defend themselves against cyber attackers in 2023 and beyond.

As a woman leader, what are the challenges you faced in reaching to the top and how did you overcome them?

As a woman leader in the technology industry, I have faced a myriad of challenges. While many of these obstacles are universal to all leaders, regardless of gender, I have encountered a unique challenge known as the double bind. This phenomenon requires women to demonstrate both warmth and competence simultaneously, which can be difficult to balance in professional settings.

Despite these challenges, I have found that constantly learning, acting like an owner, working hard, and being authentic have been invaluable tools in my journey to the top. Additionally, I make a concerted effort to ensure my voice is heard whenever I have an opinion, no matter the circumstances.

As a leader in technology, I understand the importance of common management challenges such as team building, program management, delivering value, and staying within budget.

However, I also know that addressing gender-specific issues can be just as important. My hope is that my experiences can serve as a guide to other women in the industry, and perhaps help them to overcome any obstacles they may face.

In a male dominated tech industry, what steps should be taken to attract more women in tech?

More than before there are resources to facilitate getting more women into tech. These resources are seemingly everywhere, including for young girls in school, women in college, women transitioning careers, and even for those of us already in the industry.

In addition, organisations are now capitalising on their female workforce by organising internal groups and programmes dedicated to women and externally by using them as ambassadors or key speakers during conferences tailored for women.

Embracing the concept of female cybersecurity leaders starts at the top as a company mission. This also includes ensuring that performance reviews and the hiring process is structured and consistent to support all individuals objectively.

What are the key tips you will offer aspiring women leaders to help them progress in this industry?

Don’t think about your career in terms of, “I want to be a leader.” It reduces your chances of success. Think about your work in terms of being part of a journey to help others in a meaningful way while remaining true to your values and principles.

Focus deeply on enjoying the process of growth of your knowledge, and let time and experience develop your opinions and objectives organically. Do this, and over time you will inevitably end up in positions where you can lead others toward a common goal.

Read: Women in tech: Ekaterina Kochmar, assistant professor at MBZUAI

Read: Women in tech: Aliona Geckler, senior vice president business operations and chief of staff at Acronis