When the time came to decide what I wanted to study after school, there was one clear choice; Computer Science. Thus, I joined European University of Cyprus in order to make my dream come true.

Throughout the years I have spend at European University of Cyprus, I was reminded every day why I wanted and I had to study this subject, and that chosing something else wouldn’t work out.

During the last year of my bachelors degree, I had to decide which Computer Science specialization to follow. After few days of research, I found out that the path that excites me more is the one of Cyber Security.

After a lot of applications to Universities in the UK, and after a lot of offers and rejections, I decided to go to the University of Southampton. The decision wasn’t only about the ranking of the university, but a combination of it along with the location of the city, the climate, and the croudedness of Southampton.

During this year, I had the opportunity to meet and study next to the best of the best in the field of Cyber Security and acquire as much knowledge as possible from them. The field was even more challenging and interesting as I was expected and this was what made me feel sure that I had chosen the right specialization.

While in the process of deciding the subject of my dissertation, there was the option of performing my research in collaboration with the IT Innovation Center of the University of Southampton. After attending the interview with the Deputy Head of the IT Innovation Center, I was selected as a Student Researcher. I had to work on Advanced Persisted Threats (APTs) and their modelling techniques, a project that was originated by a bigger one which was related to the 5G Technology.

During that time I had to decide whether I would like to stay in the UK and find a job there, or if I would like to go back to my home country. While thinking about it, I came to the decision that the climate and the culture of the UK does not really fit on me. In addition, the possibilities of going back to Cyprus at that time and getting a job related to my studies, there were between minimum to zero. So, I decided to try and find a job in another country.

And here comes Malta. I was lucky enough to find an internship position in a betting company with headquarters in Malta, which would help me to gain some experience in order to get into the market of job seeking. After completing my three months internship, I wanted to give Malta the chance, and stay there in order to get some more experience.

In the meantime, the concept of security (either information or cyber) in Cyprus, was something new, or something that very limited companies are aware of. Furthermore, the chances of getting a job with only 3 months of experience, there were again limited.

Few days before the end of my internship, I had an offer from one of the Big Four international accounting firms, PwC Malta. That’s where my first steps in auditing and compliance came from. I spent one year there gaining valuable knowledge and experience related to IT and Security Audit, as well as System Audits, audits related to the licence of gaming and betting companies to operate.

While in Malta, and with no intend to go back to Cyprus (at least until then), I had an offer from a company in Cyprus. Cablenet Communication Systems Plc., one of the biggest private telecommunication companies and internet service providers in Cyprus. One of the reasons that I decided to accept the offer and come back to my country, it was the following: although during my work in PwC Malta I had to deal with different types of companies, I was lacking the knowledge of how business works. And I thought that, being an Information Security Officer is such a big company, I will have the opportunity to learn how business works from the inside.

Working at Cablenet, gave me a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience and a lot of opportunities to collaborate with people with different backgrounds, different professions and especially, different mentality and way of thinking. But the most valuable think, was the opportunity to work in the compliance, governance and risk management fields, and learn about international standards, regulations and laws.

Working in the financial services industry, and specifically at JCC Payment Systems Ltd has been a huge university for me. JCC is the leader in financial and data infrastructure services in Cyprus, delivering end-to-end payment solutions, credit and debit card issuing services and industry-leading data protection and management schemes to banks and businesses of all sizes across Cyprus and beyond.

In JCC, I had the opportunity to learn more about the compliance as well as the technical aspects of security. JCC is considered to be the most audited and regulated organization in Cyprus, and security is one of JCC’s most important goals and values. New opportunities had been given to me, and did my best to get the most out of them.

Going back to the Consulting wasn’t an easy decision. It was actually a challenge for me. Working with the largest Big Four companies in Cyprus, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), as Senior GRC, Cyber Transformation & Risk Consultant, in the Cyber Security Team, as part of the Technology Consulting, was a stepping stone for me as an individual as well as my career. I did my best to gain the most out of this opportunity and become the professional I could be.

At PwC, I had the opportunity to work in a variety of pojects and with different types of clients. I was able to see security through different industries and meet a lot of new people and build some good professional relationships.

During my journey with PwC Cyprus I managed to become Certified in Risk and Information Systems Controls from ISACA Organization.

Now, I am currently working at Hellenic Bank Public Company Ltd. A new chapter in my career is in front of me and I hope to enjoy it to the maximum and get the most out of it. I have also been elected as the Secretary and SheLeadsTech Liaison of ISACA Organization Cyprus Chapter.

I have also become Certified Information Security Manager by ISACA Organization.

Despite of my professional career, here are some personal information about me:

I was born back in 1993, on the 1st of November. I am currently based in Nicosia, Cyprus. I like to spent my free time taking pictures of different landscapes, I love to travel, and I also like to watch different series and movies. In addition, I am spending a lot of time to improve or acquire new skills, and I am currently in the process of starting some new hobbies.

Thank you!