Kelly Onu Advocates for Women in Cybersecurity

Kelly Onu, a senior cybersecurity consultant at Ernst & Young, has distinguished herself in a predominantly male field, being the only African woman in her class. She has received several accolades, including the Canadian Security Emerging Leader Award and recognition as one of the Global 30 Under 30 in cybersecurity.

Onu's journey began in 2004 when her mother purchased their first desktop computer, leading her to explore technology. She attended Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls in Lagos, where she developed her interest in web design and programming.

After completing her bachelor's degree and a master's in cybersecurity at Georgia Tech, she faced challenges such as cultural shock and impostor syndrome. Onu stresses the importance of addressing the gender gap in cybersecurity, advocating for more women to enter the field and for organizations to provide mentorship and sponsorship.

She calls for companies to invest in scholarship and internship programs to create a robust talent pipeline for women in technology.