While we have many more women winners in our Top Global CISO Awards for 2024 that we will name in October, during CyberDefenseCon 2024, we wanted to spotlight one of our favorite Top Women in Cyber as well as some amazing young women who have won our scholarship in 2024. We congratulate them all. This year’s women in cybersecurity scholarships are sponsored by Cyber Defense Magazine:
THE SCOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Young Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, provided by Cyber Defense Awards, is a multi-staged scholarship opportunity for young women in cybersecurity who are in college or planning to attend college for a degree in cybersecurity. The benefits of the scholarship include cash scholarship funding to help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses related to their cybersecurity education or career development. We provide opportunities to travel, expenses paid, to major cybersecurity conferences like RSAC, BlackHat, Defcon, and CyberDefenseCon to network with other women in cybersecurity and industry leaders. Prior winners can provide mentorship to new winners. As a member of our community, winners are part of a growing network of women who are working to make cybersecurity a more inclusive and diverse field.
About Victoria Hargrove
Victoria is a 2024 graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems. Her academic journey included a comprehensive focus on cybersecurity, with coursework in networks and security, information security and assurance, programming, and networking, among other areas. Building on this foundation, she will begin her Master’s degree in Cybersecurity at Old Dominion University in the spring, while concurrently pursuing the CompTIA Security+ certification.
Currently employed as a full-time Security Analyst at TJX Companies, Victoria’s role involves critical responsibilities such as identifying security threats, investigating phishing attacks, and remediating various security issues. Her experience in these areas allows her to apply her theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges, positioning her as a skilled professional in the cybersecurity domain.
In addition to her academic and professional goals, Victoria is deeply committed to community engagement, particularly in supporting underrepresented groups in technology. She believes that education is a powerful tool for creating opportunities, and she is passionate about mentoring and outreach. In her own words: “Education has opened doors for me, and I aspire to do the same for others. Mentorship and outreach for underrepresented groups in technology is something I’m passionate about. I know true success is measured by how much we can lift others as we climb.”
As she continues to advance her knowledge and expertise, Victoria remains eager to engage in research and tackle the evolving challenges of the cybersecurity landscape.
Winning this cybersecurity scholarship for graduate school will allow me to take a transformative step in my journey to becoming a leader in the field. As someone with a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and working as a Security Analyst, I have already seen firsthand the impact of cybersecurity on businesses and individuals. This scholarship will enable me to pursue a Master’s in Cybersecurity at Old Dominion University, where I plan to deepen my understanding of network security, risk management, and digital forensics.
The financial support will also allow me to focus fully on my studies, gaining the advanced knowledge and skills needed to contribute meaningfully to the field. Additionally, earning this scholarship has inspired me to continue my outreach efforts in advocating for underrepresented groups in technology. I am passionate about creating opportunities for others to break into this vital field and believe that more diverse voices can only strengthen our industry’s ability to address evolving cyber threats.
With the knowledge gained from graduate school, I intend to develop innovative solutions that can protect critical systems, not just for businesses but for society as a whole. Winning this scholarship is an incredible honor, empowering me to fulfill my potential and make a lasting impact.
About Angela Apolinar
I am incredibly thrilled and excited to be awarded the Cyber Defense Magazine Women in Cybersecurity scholarship. This recognition not only supports my ongoing master’s studies in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University, but it also strengthens my resolve to make meaningful contributions to the cybersecurity field. With this opportunity, I am more driven than ever to help safeguard digital infrastructure and inspire more women to enter and excel in this vital industry. I look forward to using this platform to continue expanding my knowledge and skills!
Angela Apolinar is a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal State Fullerton. With a growing fascination for technology, she transitioned to the study of cybersecurity. Since then, she has earned certifications in Information Technology, Cyber Defense, Cybersecurity, and Cisco Networking from CompTIA, Cisco, and Cypress College. She is advancing her expertise by pursuing a Master’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University.
Angela has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout her academic career, notably as her college’s first female Computer Science and Cybersecurity Club president. In this role, she organized workshops and events that featured speakers from prominent organizations such as the FBI and AWS. Her commitment to mentorship and education is further exemplified by her position as a Cyber Mentor and Professor’s Assistant at Cypress College.
Currently a NASA Aerospace Scholar, she is diving into the world of space exploration and technology. Through this program, Angela is gaining invaluable insights into NASA’s cutting-edge technologies, space exploration strategies, and the role of cybersecurity in protecting critical systems that support these missions.
Her dedication to cybersecurity, leadership, and mentorship roles reflect her commitment to shaping a more secure and inclusive tech landscape. As she continues to grow in her field, Angela remains passionate about empowering the next generation of women and underrepresented groups in STEM, proving that with determination and vision, the sky is truly not the limit—it’s just the beginning!
Lena Allen is an award-winning Woman in Cyber Scholarship Winner in 2024 and Program Analyst for SAIC. As a dedicated Program Analyst with a focus on OSINT cybersecurity and cyber threat intelligence, I bring a comprehensive blend of law enforcement experience, business acumen, and technical expertise to the table. Currently enhancing my knowledge with an M.S. in Cyber Security and Operational Leadership at the University of San Diego, I’m a proactive and results-driven professional with an Active Secret Clearance. My career is distinguished by my unique ability to navigate the complexities of operational management and business development across federal sectors. She can be reached online at [email protected].
Samridhi Agarwal is an award-winning Woman in Cyber Scholarship Winner in 2024 and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Security at Carnegie Mellon University. She is passionate about emerging technology and cybersecurity, with four years of industry experience as a cybersecurity associate and solution advisor. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with various clients and industries, analyzing their security infrastructure and implementing measures to address vulnerabilities in alignment with industry standards such as NIST and ISO27001. She is committed to continuous learning and exploring advancements to enhance global security and safeguard data. Samridhi can be reached online at [email protected].
Rajvi Shroff is an award-winning Woman in Cyber Scholarship Winner in 2024 and is a first-year college student majoring in computer science. She is a 4-time CTF national winner and 2-time National Cyber Scholar with Honors in national cybersecurity competitions, including Girls Go Cyberstart and CyberStart America, having placed in the top 34 in the US. She is a cybersecurity public speaker and has spoken at various SANS conferences and for the Linux Foundation about technologies such as quantum computers and topics such as cryptography, including keynoting at the SANS Pen Test Hackfest Summit. She has the GIAC GSEC and GIAC GFACT cybersecurity certifications and was invited to and is currently on the GIAC Advisory Board for scoring higher than 90% on the GSEC certification. She is the founder of Cyber Student Crew (previously Project Cyber), a global platform for cybersecurity-minded teens to write articles about digital security. She also served on the Youth Advisory Board for KQED, a public media broadcasting organization affiliated with NPR, where she co-produced a live radio talk show segment on cybersecurity to increase public awareness, for KQED Forum. She was named one of the 2023 Aspirations in Computing National Award Winners by NCWIT, the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Rajvi can be reached online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajvi-khanjan-shroff-791007261 or via email: [email protected]
Congratulations to all our winners!
PAST WINNERS SPOTLIGHT
About Kylie Amison
Kylie is a recent graduate of George Mason University where she obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Cybersecurity Engineering with a minor in intelligence analysis. She currently holds two certifications, the Comptia Security + and Nowsecure Secure Mobile Development Professional. She is working full time at a leading mobile security company, NowSecure, as an Application Security Analyst where she does all types of fun things like exploit vulnerable apps, secure mobile application development, and contribute to exciting projects and important initiatives that are consistently highlighted throughout the security industry. In addition, she also works part time with startup company, Auspex Labs, as a Cybersecurity Software Developer, where she is the main developer on Diplomacy™, a geopolitical threat intelligence engine that combines a broad assortment of metrics and NLP sentiment analysis to calculate nuanced and real-time threat scores per nation state. She is also co-founder and CTO of Xenophon Analytics, a company that grew from shared interests in international political affairs and her project of building the geopolitical risk engine. With her award, she has received an opportunity for a part-time internship with CDM as a cybersecurity reporter and blogger. Reach out to her with story ideas: [email protected]
About Annabelle Klosterman
Annabelle Klosterman is a Cybersecurity Reporter for Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM) and CDM’s first Women in Cybersecurity scholarship awardee. She is a Cybersecurity Engineer for Southwest Airlines, Co-Founder/Program Director of the Cyber Community Club, and a Master’s Cyber Defense student at Dakota State University. Her areas of focus are offensive and defensive security, governance, risk and management, security consulting, program management, and cybersecurity training/outreach.
Throughout the years, Annabelle has competed in numerous competitions and placed nationally at the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition in 2022 and 2023 and was a national finalist in CyberPatriot in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, she earned 1st place in the 2022 Idaho National Laboratory CyberCore CTF, and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) CTF in 2021 and 2022. She holds SANS certifications in Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT), Cloud Security (GCLD), and Incident Handling (GCIH).
Annabelle has spoken on cybersecurity and career topics at various events and organizations including US Cyber Games, RSA Conference, Secure360, Texas Cyber Summit, BSidesSATX, South Dakota InfraGard, Civil Air Patrol, and more. Annabelle’s goal is to be in a position that changes the way people view and handle security, for their protection and safety, and the benefit of everyone. Annabelle can be reached online at https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelleklosterman and at her website https://www.annabelleklosterman.com/.
About Tiffany Dinh
Tiffany Dinh is a proud alumnus of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) where she received her Bachelor of Computer Engineering with distinction, graduating with Summa Cum Laude and minors in Global Studies and
Computer Science. On top of this, she boasts an impressive array of certifications, holding both CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+. In her forward-looking trajectory, she is gearing up to acquire the esteemed CISSP certification and her Masters of Science in Computer Science.
Currently, Tiffany works as a Senior Cloud & Cybersecurity Engineer at SAIC. Here, she helms critical projects, from developing cloud infrastructure for the US ARMY DEVCOM to creating AI solutions for NASA Langley Research Center. She also works as a researcher at UAH’s Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education (CCRE). At CCRE, she has led initiatives and handled classified projects for government contractors and agencies.
She is also passionately involved in her community and academic endeavors. Notably, she founded UAH’s Women in Cybersecurity chapter and has made significant contributions in her leadership positions at UAH’s Honors College and Student Government Association. Outside of her cybersecurity pursuits, she has been recognized by several prestigious bodies, from being a CrowdStrike Next Gen Scholar to earning the title of a National Security Agency (NSA) Stokes Scholar. Her journey, marked by consistent achievements and leadership, stands testament to her drive in the cybersecurity field.
Beyond her academic and professional life, Tiffany is a firm believer in lifelong learning. She’s determined to continue broadening her horizons with aspirations to give back to the cybersecurity community and inspire future generations.
Honored with the opportunity with Cyber Defense Magazine, Tiffany is excited to delve into her role as a cybersecurity reporter and blogger. This new venture aligns seamlessly with her objective to share knowledge, highlight advancements, and drive conversations in the dynamic world of cybersecurity.
I’m deeply honored to receive the Cyber Defense Media Group Women in Cybersecurity scholarship. As I navigate my Master’s in Computer Science at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, this award reinforces my aspiration to further delve into advanced education, potentially pursuing a PhD. My ultimate aim is to instigate meaningful advancements in cybersecurity, and this scholarship is a pivotal step towards that vision.