Assia's journey: From Marketing Maven to Cybersecurity Crusader: a train ride to remember

In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, there's a new sheriff in town, and her name is Assia Derni.?

Assia is not just any cyber warrior; she's a digital dynamo and a diversity champion! She's ready to debug systems and infuse the tech world with a spectrum of perspectives.

Tying the knot with her Canadian beau in a ceremony in August that was probably less about 'I do' and more about 'I code', Assia is living proof that love knows no borders, and neither does talent.?From Algeria to the outskirts of Paris, she's coding her way to a more inclusive future, one algorithm at a time.

## Assia’s cybersecurity journey

Assia's journey into the world of cybersecurity sounds like a modern-day epic quest, with a sprinkle of digital wizardry!?

Starting her career in the realm of Digital Marketing, she armed herself with the powerful spells of Artificial Intelligence. Then, like a hero spotting a treasure map, she stumbled upon the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on TikTok. "It's now or never," she declared, ready to embark on her adventure. Battling through the trials of multiple-choice questions, she found her Excalibur in the threat prevention modules, which?transformed her from a marketing mage to a cybersecurity champion, all while avoiding the dreaded dragons of dull theory!?

## Only Assia….

To get to know Assia better, picture this: a regular morning turns into a comedy of errors when Assia, in a rush to avoid being late for work, accidentally becomes the pied piper of the elderly, leading them onto the wrong train. But this isn't just any train; it's the express service to the depot! In a scene that would have the audience in stitches, Assia realizes the mistake and hits the alarm, causing the train to screech to a halt and the doors to fly open. Cue the slapstick chase sequence with Assia sprinting along the tracks, dodging sleepers and rails, only to be 'rescued' by the station staff who are more panicked than she is. The punchline? When she recounts the tale to her boss, instead of a reprimand, she gets laughter. It's the kind of story that makes you think, "Only Assia!" But Assia isn't just the star of her comedy show; she's a superhero in her own right. With creativity as her cape and ambition as her superpower, she dreams big and acts bigger, making her a force to be reckoned with in the world of cybersecurity. She's the kind of person who doesn't just work well in a team; she elevates everyone around her with her sociable nature. I noticed it while mentoring her and her peers! Her end goal is to open her own Cybersecurity consultancy firm to advise European startups….so beware, cyber villains!

## Her recommendations to any young women thinking about a career in cybersecurity

Assia's advice to those young women out there hesitating to dive into the cybersecurity field? "Just go for it! It's a field as dynamic as it is vital, and staying on top of the latest trends and training is the key to success. After all, in the fast-paced world of technology, if you're not learning, you're falling behind."

Who knows, you might end up with a story as hilarious as hers to tell!

## Call to Action

Remember, in the world of Assia, every day is an adventure, and every mistake is just the setup for a good laugh. Keep calm, carry on, and maybe check the train schedule twice.

So, if you're looking to connect with a real-life superhero who can probably outrun a train (okay, maybe not, but she's fast on her feet), reach out to Assia Derni , the Women4Cyber Foundation or myself.

Assia successfully obtained her Google Cybersecurity Certificate on September 17!