“In 2 years, I went from being completely clueless about cybersecurity to passing exams that seasoned cybersecurity proffessional have failed”
Ugochi Anoka
My name is Ugochi Anoka, and this is my #HerCyberStory.
In 2022, the University Academic Staff in my country went on one of their many strikes. This time, I promised to make very good use of the ‘free’ time the industrial action gave me.
I started researching tech careers when I came across Confidence Staveley’s account on X (Formarly Twitter), calling for applications to the “CyberGirls 2.0” cohort. Before I saw that post, #cybersecurity had NEVER crossed my mind. I clicked on the link and submitted what I would call the laziest application ever. I didn’t do enough research and gave honest but very lackluster answers.
While waiting for a response, my interest in cybersecurity grew rapidly. Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected. I didn’t make it past the first stage.
Luckily, CyberSafe Foundation gave me an opportunity to join the CyberLearners, a community for ladies who didn’t get into CyberGirls Fellowship but were self disciplined enough to pursue a career in cybersecurity with minimal support.
I didn’t expect the community and program to be as intense as it was. The best part of this community was having other girls in the same situation as me. We would spend time motivating each other and maximizing every opportunity we got.
One of such opportunities was participating in the CyberGirls Linux Party. During the party, I feared I would come last in the CTF (Capture The Flag) competition. To my surprise, I came in second place. From that moment, I became much more confident in everything I did. I worked harder.
CyberSafe Foundation gave me another life-changing opportunity, an eJPT(eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester) certification voucher, just as the University Academic Staff strike was ending. I wondered how I was going to pass the exam and still maintain my university grades. A few months later, I got the opportunity to take an Ethical Hacking Nanodegree and the HackTheBox Certified Bug Bounty Hunter certification, too.
I was taking three cybersecurity courses while being a 400-level Electrical/Electronics Engineering student. I almost couldn’t believe I could do it, but I eventually did it all.
I now hold the eJPT and HTB Certified Bug Bounty Hunter certifications. I have an Ethical Hacking Nanodegree, and I am an Electrical/Electronics Engineering graduate.
In 2 years, I went from being completely clueless about cybersecurity to passing exams that seasoned professionals have failed.
Although I am still learning and progressing in my career, I am extremely proud of everything I have achieved.
CyberSafe Foundation gave me opportunities I could only have dreamed of. As I navigate this journey, I hope to inspire others who have faced setbacks. They don’t define you: just keep trying; I promise it will all be worth it.
CyberGirls Fellowship is Africa’s largest #cybersecurity training and mentorship program for young women. An initiative of CyberSafe Foundation
