Comeback Queen of Cybersecurity:
Mom Returns to the Cybersecurity Industry
After 6-Year Maternity Gap
- Thanks to the CEH
Company: DocuSign
Job Title: Security Technical Program Manager Consultant
In this interview, we learn about the journey of Sindhuja Shivkumar, who afaced multiple challenges after a six-year maternity break and found it challenging to land interviews in security roles.
But upon certifying herself as a Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) , she was able to secure a job in the field. Sindhuja attests that the C|EH certification, with its breadth of coverage, access to high-quality materials and labs, was one of the best decisions she’s made for her career.
Don’t let a break in your career hold you back, follow in Sindhuja’s footsteps and succeed in cybersecurity with C|EH.
Tell me about your journey as a cybersecurity professional.
I have over 6 years of experience across a wide range of security programs, including penetration testing, application and network security, threat modeling, and security architecture. I started as a security engineer, and after 3 years of wonderful experiences, I took a 6-year maternity break. About 3 years ago, I started the second phase of my career. I love being a part of high-performing teams that work together to solve problems at scale, and I aspire to be a security leader who builds the right strategy and drives the right culture.
What caught your attention about the C|EH program? How did the C|EH benefit your career?
After my maternity break, when I was looking to get back to work, I found it very challenging to land interviews in security roles since my experience was far back in time, especially in a field as intense and evolving as cybersecurity. One of my mentors recommended that I consider the C|EH certification, given its breadth of coverage, access to high-quality materials and labs, and the credibility it lends to your resume
The C|EH really improved my credibility as a cybersecurity professional.
How recognized is the C|EH in your organization and industry? Did the C|EH help you get higher pay, a promotion, or a job you wanted?
C|EH has played an essential role in my career. When I completed my post-graduation from Canada, I had no job initially. I was not getting any interview calls despite having a post-graduation degree in information security.
So I was advised by my elder brother, who is also in IT, to pursue the C|EH certification.
How recognized is the C|EH in your organization and the industry?
The C|EH is very reputable in the IT security industry. It makes the person think like a cyber attacker and helps understand their thought process. It also opens the door to many opportunities like cybersecurity analysts, security auditors, cyber defense, vulnerability assessment analysts, ethical hackers, etc.
Did the C|EH help you to get higher pay, a promotion, or a job that you wanted?
Just having the
How has the C|EH certification impacted you?
Over the years, I’ve found that those who possess the C|EH understand security foundations very well. Many of the concepts taught in the C|EH certification provide the building blocks for pursuing specializations in this field. I personally found the C|EH to be a great first certification, and I found my current role within 2 months of completing the C|EH. It has played a great role in kickstarting my career.
Did the C|EH help you give back to the community?
I very strongly believe that more women should get into cybersecurity; I feel very passionately about women pursuing security leadership roles. Over the years,
I’ve recommended the C|EH to them as a great starting point in pursuing a fulfilling career in cybersecurity.
Do you attribute any part of your success to EC-Council? If so, do you have a message for the team?
I’m very grateful to the team at EC-Council for running and maintaining a certification that helps the populations that need certifications the most, like first-time entrants, early-career security professionals, people looking to transition from a different career into cybersecurity, or simply people like me, who are coming back to work after a long break. I truly appreciate the professionalism and care that has gone into keeping this certification relevant and meaningful for us. I would recommend it as a great starting point for those looking to forge a fulfilling career in cybersecurity.
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Certified Ethical Hacker
WE DON’T JUST TEACH ETHICAL
HACKING WE BUILD CYBER CAREERS