“Beyond policies, we need trained professionals to implement effective cybersecurity strategies. Knowledge is power, and continuous training, through programs such as HerCyberTracks, is key to empowering our institutions and communities” says Cecilia Benítez, a Paraguayan participant of the program, in her interview with LAC4 ahead of the in-person meeting in October in Santo Domingo. With experience in DevOps and active participation in digital health initiatives, Cecilia shares how technology has served as a tool to build a more secure, and purposeful future. Her story highlights the importance of training, inclusion, and international cooperation to close structural gaps and strengthen digital capabilities in Latin America. 

You applied to the program a while ago – what caught your attention and what drove you to sending your application?  

From a very young age, I have been fascinated by technology and operating systems, especially Linux, which I have used to explore programming and breathe new life into old computers. My interest in cybersecurity grew stronger when I participated in CTF (Capture The Flag) hackathons. It was at these events that I discovered my passion for this field and decided to seek more structured training. 

I joined the Her CyberTracks program to get the guidance and support I needed to advance my career. As a DevOps, I already have a solid foundation in networking and cloud environments, which are crucial skills for cybersecurity.  

I am very motivated by the idea of understanding how systems work, both by building them and “deconstructing” them. This mindset helps me create a “mental map” of their structure, which makes it easier to identify vulnerabilities and prevent incidents. It’s a skill I apply in my hobbies, such as mechanics, and now I want to apply it in more specific cybersecurity roles. 

My short-term goal is to transition to a role focused on cybersecurity, with the goal of working as a freelance hacker in bug bounty programs. 

I want to be able to support my family and improve my quality of life through cybersecurity, as well as make a positive impact on my community and encourage more people to take the leap into studying to improve their lives. I am in the process of becoming more active in volunteer work involving technology and supporting people who are trying to make that leap. 

Her CyberTracks program is more than half way through since its start in April, and we are going to meet soon in Santo Domingo for in-person training. How has it been so far? 

My experience with the program has been exceptional. It has allowed me not only to review knowledge I already had, but also to learn completely new concepts. The modules have helped me structure and formalize my learning, which has been very valuable. 

What has interested me most is the importance of being able to discern whether a problem is a simple technical failure or whether it could be a cyberattack. This skill, key in any IT role, is crucial for alerting security teams in time and protecting systems more effectively. 

I am very excited about the in-person training in Santo Domingo. I am looking forward to meeting my colleagues and the program team in person. I hope to gain a lot of experience in the workshops, strengthen ties with other professionals, and inspire more people, especially girls and women, to enter the field of technology and cybersecurity. 

 Given your background, what do you think are the greatest challenges in cybersecurity right now? What do you see in your daily work?  

In my experience, one of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity, especially in developing countries like mine, is the lack of prioritization of the issue. Often, the importance of cybersecurity is low or non-existent because basic infrastructure, such as electricity, water, and internet services, is still not reliable enough. I believe that in order to build a robust cybersecurity framework, we must first ensure the strength and reliability of our essential services. 

In my daily work, I observe that policies are crucial, but their implementation and enforcement are what really make a difference. For example, in my role as DevOps for the HIS (Health Information System) project, I see firsthand the need for stronger laws to protect infrastructure and citizen data. This project is an important collaboration between officials from Paraguay and Taiwan, supported by the Taiwan ICDF, and has allowed me to work with institutions such as the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC). 

In addition to policies, we need trained professionals who can plan, implement, and execute cybersecurity strategies for a secure government. As the saying goes, “knowledge is power,” and continuous training is the key to empowering our institutions and society. 

In my experience, one of the biggest challenges in my country, Paraguay, is the gender gap and machismo, which manifest themselves in high rates of femicide and domestic violence. Unfortunately, this problem carries over into the field of technology, where the presence of women is significantly lower. 

It is common for women and minorities in this sector to face uncomfortable, unpleasant, or harassing situations. This reality discourages many from pursuing a career in technology. 

To address this, we need education and safer work environments. It is crucial to empower girls and women to trust their abilities and feel safe studying and working in technology. By creating more inclusive spaces, we not only combat discrimination, but also enrich the sector with a diversity of talents and perspectives.

Drawing from your experience, how international organisations like the EU and ITU or initiatives like LAC4 Centre could help to address these challenges?  

I believe that organizations such as the EU and ITU, together with initiatives such as the LAC4 Center, have a key role to play in addressing these challenges. 

They could help in the following ways: 

• Fostering cooperation: Promoting collaboration between countries to share knowledge and best practices that have proven successful. 

• Supporting policy development: Enabling less developed countries to learn from the experience of those that have already made progress in implementing cybersecurity policies. 

• Providing training: Offering training and certification programs that help people acquire the skills they need to be prepared for current and future opportunities and challenges in the sector. 

About Cecilia Benítez

I am self-taught and passionate about machines and cybersecurity. With experience as a freelancer in business, marketing, and IT, I currently work as a DevOps engineer on a key healthcare project in Paraguay.

 

I love learning by doing and breaking things, which drives me to launch my own mini-startups as an indie hacker and explore the world of bug bounties. Through volunteering, I contribute to my community and seek to “hack” new skills for myself and others.

Her CyberTracks is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany  and the European Union and co-implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in partnership with the Global Programme on Cybercrime of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the Criminal Justice CyberTrack and the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4) for the LAC region. Read more about the program.