Lisa Ventura

Cyber Security Awareness Consultant, Writer & Speaker | Mindset and Mental Health Support Coach | #MHFA | Diversity & Inclusion Advocate | #ActuallyAutistic,

I am an award-winning cyber security awareness consultant and the Founder of Cyber Security Unity (formerly the UK Cyber Security Association), a global community organisation that is dedicated to bringing individuals and companies together who actively work in cyber security to help combat the growing cyber threat. In addition to this I am a mindset and mental health coach specialising supporting those in cyber security with their mental health, managing stress and burnout and bullying/abuse.

I love writing and I contribute regularly to cyber security and technology publications both online and offline as well as appearing at various industry events, conferences and expos as a speaker and panel moderator/chairperson. As part of my work, I also write and produce numerous white papers, articles, benchmarking reports & blogs.

I sit on the board of Think Digital Partners as their cyber security advisor and is a member of the Advisory Group for the International Cyber Expo. Community is at the heart of everything I do, and I’m also passionate about raising awareness of the importance of cyber security for small businesses and SMEs, and this passion led me to raising awareness of the cyber skills gap, women in cyber security and cyber security as a career path for those who are neurodiverse. In 2018 I was diagnosed as #ActuallyAutistic, and I love working with those from diverse backgrounds to encourage them into careers in cyber and acting as a mentor.

Over the years I have been a finalist for and won numerous awards including 2020’s ITV News National Diversity Awards “Positive Role Model for Gender” award, which was a huge honour, SC Europe’s “Outstanding Contribution to Cyber Security” award, Cyber Security Awards UK “Personality of the Year” and “Woman of the Year”, Women in Cyber Security USA “Supporter of Women” award and Computing Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” award amongst others. I am also a TechWomen100 award winner and in 2021 I was named as one of the “Top 30 Women of Influence in Cyber Security During the pandemic” by SC Magazine and was named as one of the industry's "Most Inspiring Women in 2021" by IT Security Guru.

I’m a lifelong learner and I enjoy taking courses to help me further my skillset. I have a huge interest in all things to do with mind, body, spirit and positivity, and I’m also a fully qualified Reiki Healer and Mental Health First Aider. To relax I enjoy walking with my dog, karate/martial arts, reading, bullet journalling, watching films on my home cinema system and exercising regularly in my home-based gym.