Chiara Kessler, Assistant Manager, Vigilance and Resilience, Cyber Risk Services

Growing up as a 'millennial', I remember doing homework on colourful floppy disks, buying my first CD (with cash!) and having endless conversations on MSN Messenger. As a teenager, I was vaguely aware of the importance of firewalls, but the concept of cybersecurity only started capturing my interest during my studies. As a student of geopolitics, I realized the significance of balance-of-power dynamics both off- and online.

Although I took a cybersecurity course, I did not consider pursuing it as a career at first because I felt that I lacked technical skills. Instead, I focused on physical security and worked in Apple's crisis management team for several years, where I helped manage major crises, including COVID-19, terrorism, violent protests, and war.

Moving to Switzerland gave me the chance to transition towards cybersecurity. I was lucky to find an open-minded and supportive team at Deloitte’s Cyber Risk Advisory practice, where I currently focus on resilience. Cybersecurity is an incredibly dynamic field that is becoming increasingly important for personal security, business security and national security. I believe that anyone can pursue a career in cybersecurity by adopting a growth mindset and treating challenge as an opportunity. I have found an exciting field where I can grow personally and professionally and make a positive societal impact.

Magdalena Fink, Senior Consultant, Strategy and Transformation, Cyber Risk Services

My journey to cyber is unconventional to say the least. Already in high school I was torn between my fascination for the fashion industry and my interest in technology. I decided to follow my passion for the industry that I already knew and studied Global Brand and Fashion Management in Munich. Over the years, I became increasingly intrigued with the possibilities and risks of technology.

Watching my friends become victims of computer viruses, I decided to acquire a deeper technical understanding. I attended the MSc Information Technology programme at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, focusing on information security. Immediately, my gut feeling told me that cyber was the right choice for me.

I love working in cyber: companies but also individuals are constantly facing new challenges, and I can help them to stay secure, support them to understand these by explaining complex concepts and can constantly learn and educate myself.

It is amazing to see what you can achieve in the cyber team – even with a slightly unconventional background - if you are curious and motivated to learn. I truly believe that our team is a great example of open culture and diversity. Whenever you face a challenge, you get the support that you need to master it.

Floriane Gilliéron, Assistant Manager, Data Protection & Privacy, Cyber Risk Services

I studied Communication Systems at EPFL to understand which mechanisms are ensuring that whenever I send data over the internet it doesn’t get lost or read by malicious people. Along the way of solving these questions, I became more and more interested in aspects of cyber security that were not only about securing the data, but also about securing the people behind it. Having reliable encryption and communication mechanisms is not enough, it’s also important to regulate how companies are using their client’s data. This passion for privacy eventually brough me to the Data Protection & Privacy team at Deloitte, where I now can work on exciting and challenging projects for various clients. With a job constantly pushing me to learn, I’m guaranteed to stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends. This is especially important in a fast-moving field such as cyber security.

Another thing I particularly enjoy about my job at Deloitte is the people I’m working with. After six years in a technical university, I find it very enriching to be collaborating with colleagues from various academical backgrounds, bringing more perspectives than the engineering one, which is more than needed to solve such complex challenges. The cyber team is made of motivated and dedicated people, creating an ideal working environment. I’m always excited to start a new day, as I’m convinced to have found the right place for me!

Yuliia Sumovska, Senior Consultant, Application Security, Cyber Risk Services

When I began my cybersecurity bachelor's degree, I was unsure if the field would really interest me and if I would pursue a career as a cybersecurity specialist in the end. While still studying my friend from university recommended a web application penetration testing training, and it completely changed my outlook. I felt passionate about pen-testing.

This training program inspired me to apply for a Junior Penetration Tester position in Kyiv, Ukraine, at Deloitte. I was ecstatic to join a company with a rich history such as Deloitte, as it represents the ideal launching pad for young, enthusiastic individuals like myself.

After finishing my bachelor's degree, I had to choose a new country to pursue further studies because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I found that Switzerland, and specifically ETH Zurich, was the best place for me to deepen my knowledge and improve my expertise in Cyber. Along with starting my education at ETH, I joined Deloitte’s Application Security team in Zurich, Switzerland as a Consultant.

After working here for two years, I realized that the experience was like hitting the jackpot. This opportunity afforded me an extraordinary breadth of experiences, enabling me to navigate unforeseeable challenges with ease, and work with highly qualified professionals who pushed me to improve my skills every day.

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