Fostering the Next Generation of Female Technologists at Imperva

Today marks the start of the 2021 Grace Hopper Celebration, the largest gathering of female technology leaders in the world. Last year, over 40,000 women from 117 different countries attended virtually, bringing together their research and career interests to help inform and inspire others.

As someone who has worked in tech over the past 30 years, the Grace Hopper Celebration is important to me because it gives women like me the opportunity to network, collaborate and receive mentorship. Founded in 1994 by Dr. Anita Borg and Dr. Telle Whitney, the conference honors Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, one of the first women to receive a doctorate degree in mathematics in 1934—later becoming a pioneer in computer programming.

I’m thrilled that Imperva, led by the efforts of the Imperva Women’s Network and Imperva DE&I Council, is sponsoring a group of our female technologists to attend this year’s Grace Hopper Celebration. Imperva will also fund their 12-month membership to AnitaB.org, which provides access to a range of information, events and coaching that addresses holistic, personal and professional needs. This one-of-kind opportunity is designed to help these women advance their careers by providing access to resources, networking and learning. Through this experience, I hope these talented women will be inspired to present at next year’s gathering!

This is just one of the many ways Imperva is making a conscious effort to recruit and train women for technical roles to shrink the gender diversity gap within the tech and security industries. We know that true innovation requires diversity of thought, experience and background, and as a leader in cybersecurity, we will never stop our efforts to give all current and future employees a platform to be themselves and do the best work of their career in an honest and authentic way.

During a time when cybersecurity is in the headlines on a daily basis, the industry needs more diverse talent to help protect the world from cyberattacks. At Imperva alone, we have dozens of job opportunities – across many departments – awaiting those who are looking to take the next step in their careers. Diversity is needed in cybersecurity more than ever to advance the industry and help our community solve the complex and pressing challenges facing the world.

As we celebrate the trailblazing legacy and life of Grace Hopper, I look forward to seeing the next generation of female technologists, both at Imperva and beyond, be inspired by her work and those who have followed her. It’s an important step in our journey towards creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.