“One of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity today is the rapid evolution of threats, which forces organizations to constantly stay up to date and develop agile response capabilities” says Thais Paiva Ibarra, a Uruguayan professional in the field of automation and a computer engineering student. In her interview with LAC4 prior to the in-person meeting in Santo Domingo, Thais highlights the value of technical learning, regional collaboration, and the exchange of experiences as key tools for addressing growing vulnerabilities. 

You enrolled in the program some time ago. What caught your attention and led you to submit your application?

I have always had a keen interest in cybersecurity. What caught my attention about the Her CyberTracks program was its focus on empowering women in Latin America and the Caribbean in this field, something I consider essential for diversifying and strengthening the sector. I was motivated to submit my application by the desire to deepen my technical and strategic knowledge, as well as to connect with a network of professionals with a similar vision. I hoped that the program would provide me with practical tools and a space to contribute from my experience, thus contributing to the development of innovative solutions.

The Her CyberTracks program is now more than halfway through since its launch in April, and we will soon meet in Santo Domingo for in-person training. How has it been so far?

So far, my experience at Her CyberTracks has been very enriching. I have learned key concepts about risk management, threat analysis, and cybersecurity policies that help me expand my knowledge. In addition, the virtual sessions and exchanges with other participants have allowed me to learn about different realities and approaches within the region. I hope that the in-person training in Santo Domingo will allow me to strengthen these connections and acquire practical skills that I can apply directly in my work.

Given your experience, what do you think are the biggest challenges in cybersecurity today? What do you observe in your daily work?

One of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity today is the rapid evolution of threats, which forces organizations to constantly stay up to date and develop agile response capabilities. In my daily work, I can see that many companies still have significant gaps in security and staff training, which increases their vulnerability. In addition, the shortage of specialized talent makes it difficult to implement more advanced strategies. To address these challenges, it is essential to invest in continuing education, encourage collaboration between sectors, and promote policies that include incident prevention, detection, and response. 

Based on your experience, how could international organizations such as the EU and ITU or initiatives such as the LAC4 Center help address these challenges?

They could help by facilitating access to up-to-date training resources, promoting common standards, and supporting the development of collaborative networks between countries. They could also promote initiatives that encourage the inclusion of women and underrepresented groups in cybersecurity, in order to diversify and strengthen talent. Finally, they could collaborate in the creation of appropriate policies and regulatory frameworks. 

About Thais Paiva

Data analyst with more than three years of experience, specializing in the optimization and enrichment of catalogs for e-commerce. With a deep interest in data analysis, I have recently complemented my profile with training in UX/UI, Web Development, Photoshop, and GeneXus, along with programming fundamentals. Always looking for new challenges and opportunities to continue growing.

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.