“Without adequate training, security incidents not only put systems at risk, but also the trust of the team and customers” says Yulliana Clames, backend developer at Dualboot Partners and IT student, in her interview with LAC4 ahead of the in-person meeting in Santo Domingo. With solid experience in software development and a growing motivation to join the world of cybersecurity, Yulliana highlights the importance of applying best practices from the early stages of any technology project. Her testimony reflects how technical training, teamwork, and strengthening a culture of security are key to building more reliable and resilient systems.

You signed up for the program a while ago. What caught your attention and led you to submit your application? 

From a very young age, I felt a special connection to technology. Today, at 29, with experience as a backend developer and pursuing a degree in Information Technology, I am still committed to that path. I was deeply struck by the program’s focus, especially given the limited presence of women in the field of cybersecurity in my country. Seeing how cyberattacks are on the rise and how limited the response time is in these situations, I felt the need to get more involved. I want to contribute from my role, complement my professional development, and, above all, contribute to a more secure digital environment. My expectations are to learn from leaders, learn about different roles within the cybersecurity ecosystem, and discover which areas I am excited about pursuing in the future. I am also very motivated by the fact that this program seeks to promote female participation: today it is my turn to learn, but I hope that tomorrow I can be the one to motivate other women to join. 

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

The experience has been extremely enriching. I have learned fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, from what it is and why it is so important, to how cyberattacks occur, who carries them out, and what the most common entry points are. One of the most valuable parts was being introduced to the role of Digital First Responders: key people who quickly detect and respond to computer security incidents, helping to limit damage and sharing best practices with their communities. I also learned the fundamentals of incident management and how to assess an organization’s preparedness for a threat. Beyond the technical content, I would highlight the support provided during the program, the quality of the material, and the opportunity to connect with other Uruguayan women who are on the same path. My expectations continue to be to learn, grow, and understand how I can apply this knowledge in my current role as a developer. Knowing what skills empower me is key to continuing to move forward. 

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

I work for a US company with teams spread across several countries, including Uruguay. What I see is that, at the local level, we are still far behind in terms of cybersecurity culture. There is little training and a lack of preparedness to respond to incidents, which creates a lot of uncertainty and improvised reactions when problems arise. In the context of software development, the biggest challenges have to do with data protection, the proper use of tools, and the need to train teams to reduce risks. I remember a particular case in which sensitive client API endpoints were exposed due to a tool being misconfigured. Such errors could be avoided with best practices and greater awareness from the early stages of development. Some quotes I find relevant: “In Uruguay, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of cybersecurity preparedness: incidents are dealt with urgently, but without strategy.” “One of the biggest challenges is that not all development teams understand security risks from the outset of a project.” “In software companies, protecting data and training teams is not optional: it is a critical necessity.” “Without adequate training, security incidents not only put systems at risk, but also the trust of the team and customers.”

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?

International organizations such as the EU, ITU, and LAC4 Center can play a key role by strengthening regional cooperation, offering continuous and accessible training, and helping to establish common security standards that serve as a reference, especially in countries where there is still a lack of maturity in this field. The Her CyberTracks program is an example of how to help and contribute in countries where there is still a great need for training. In addition, initiatives such as LAC4 make it possible to showcase local talent, build support networks, and generate real opportunities for professional development in cybersecurity. These types of spaces not only empower, but also open doors for more people (and especially women) to become actively involved in building a safer digital environment for everyone. 

About Yulliana Clames

My name is Yulliana Clames. I was born in Salto, in the north of Uruguay, and I am currently 29 years old. I am a backend developer with experience in .NET technologies and a total of about 8 years of experience. I have been part of Dualboot Partners for three years.  My journey in technology began as a Functional Analyst while I was starting my  tertiary studies as a Programmer Analyst after finishing high school. Over time, I discovered my true passion in backend development, and since then, I have not strayed from that world. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology at the Technological University of Uruguay (UTEC), a four-year program in which I am now in my second year. I love technology, and when I saw the opportunities and needs in the area of security, I decided to begin training in cybersecurity, convinced that it will be a path of great learning and growth. Outside of work and academics, I love dogs (I have adopted five and actively collaborate with local organizations), and in my free time I enjoy reading, building with Legos, and playing the guitar.

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.