International Women's Day: Embracing Change

Date: 2022-03-07
Author: Gabriela Peralta, Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator

At Versasec, we take this opportunity to learn from one of our superstars, whose story embraces change and inspires us. We are pleased for you to meet Tatjana Suhorukova, Business Development Analyst at Versasec. Tanya, as she likes to be called, moved from her native Latvia to the U.K. However, she quickly learned the art of adaptability as she navigated the challenges of a new culture and career path.

“Not everything went smoothly as I had to start from the beginning, including my professional career. Nevertheless, I turned who I was into my new strengths and skills.” With this attitude, Tanya was selected from 300 candidates and landed her first job in the U.K. After seven years in the Forest and Timber industry in Latvia, Tanya started her career in Event Marketing Management.” Not being a local, nor speaking English as my native language was a challenge. However, challenges inspire and motivate me. In essence, moving to the UK made my world bigger and made me stronger as a woman.”

After five years in the event industry, she was ready for a new challenge. Tanya joined Versasec in August 2017 in the role of Business Administration. During her time at Versasec, she became a key contributor in Sales, Business Development, and leading Global Technology Partnerships.

“I aspire to learn new things and enjoy meeting new people. I surround myself with successful women that drive and inspire me. Getting things done, teamwork, and being organized are traits that have helped me succeed in many areas of life.”

Women in Cybersecurity

In light of women around the world who face discrimination and inequality, she appreciates the opportunities in the United Kingdom and in Cybersecurity.

“Being a woman in cybersecurity means a lot of opportunities, challenges, and innovation. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the IT industry, and many different skills can be applied. Furthermore, working in cybersecurity allows for collaboration and networking with people from various sectors and locations. Consequently, this diversity can be incredibly beneficial in terms of gaining new perspectives and building a broad skill set,” states Tanya.

Fighting for Gender Equality

In addition, Tanya is motivated by different organizations fighting for gender equality and inclusion. “It is encouraging to see that there are national programs and groups dedicated to supporting women in cybersecurity. As a result, their work addresses some of the gender imbalances that still exist. By promoting diversity and inclusivity, we can help to build a stronger and more resilient cybersecurity workforce. Nevertheless, there are many exciting opportunities and challenges in the field of cybersecurity. For that reason, it is wonderful to see women take on these roles and make a positive impact in the industry.”

As a woman in 2023, Tanya balances her life as a mother, a wife, and a Cybersecurity professional. Tanya mastered the skill of shifting gears and embraced the adventure of living in a foreign land. Her journey inspires other business professionals as they embrace change, adapt to new challenges, and achieve success.