In celebration of International Women’s Day, Sangfor proudly honors the extraordinary journeys of two Filipina cybersecurity leaders. These women have defied expectations and carved their own paths in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Their stories, filled with resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination, serve as powerful testaments to the boundless potential women possess in the realm of technology.
In this article, we explore the distinctive journey of Mel Migriño, whose rise from a business analyst to a cybersecurity leader demonstrates her remarkable courage and conviction. Mel’s drive goes beyond personal achievement; she is committed to using her expertise to benefit society and contribute to the greater good.
Breaking Barriers: Mel Migriño's Inspiring Rise in Cybersecurity
Meet Mel Migriño, whose journey is like none other yet inspires every girl aiming to work in the cybersecurity industry. From a business analyst role, she rose to become an influential woman in the private sector’s cybersecurity scene, holding key leadership positions in several important associations in the Philippines, including Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP).
Her Achievements at a Glance:
- Top 100 Influential Women in LinkedIn
- 2022 Security Leader
- Cyber Woman of the Year
- 2021/23 CISO of the Year
- #1 CSO30 ASEAN
- Top Woman in Security ASEAN
- CIO100
Mel’s Distinctive Journey in Her Own Words
“I started my career journey in the applications development team where I assumed a business analyst role. Then I transitioned to software quality assurance and became a Project Manager, implementing enterprise applications. During this time, I heard of the rising niche career from some of my industry peers, which is information security, encompassing security in applications development. From then on, my interest was piqued, and I ventured into this field.
In the beginning, I made good progress as an Infosec Auditor, eventually making it to a lead role, from information security governance to implementation. Later, I assumed executive roles in information security, privacy, and business continuity management across various industries. All the years have expanded my perspective beyond cybersecurity, which has enabled me to contribute more to the community and help people. Now, I am excited as I embark on a new journey in a different area of cybersecurity!
During my journey, I faced gender bias. This evolved into a challenge that I needed to overcome to move forward in my career. I needed to muster my strengths, learn from the experience, and strive to be a better person. Over time, I realized that we can only hope for the nice things in life but prepare for the opposite. Be resilient. Life will never go back to what it was before but we can learn to embrace changes so we can do many more great things for our family and our society.”
Words for Every Female Around the Globe:
For women who want to make an impact, be passionate in delivering value and keep the interest of the greater majority close to your heart. Do things rightfully and success will follow.
Mel Migriño
Beyond Inspiration: A Call to Action
As we share Mel Migriño’s remarkable journey, we also invite you to explore the inspirational story of Col. Francel Margareth Padilla-Taborlupa, a distinguished Filipina military officer who has held key positions and made significant contributions to her nation’s cybersecurity.
The stories of these Filipina Leaders are not just testaments to individual success, but powerful calls to action. They remind us that industries need diverse voices and perspectives and that women have the talent, passion, and drive to excel.
Sangfor is committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse tech landscape by actively supporting initiatives that empower women. We encourage all individuals, regardless of gender, to explore their potential in the cybersecurity industry and join the #CyberSHEcurity movement.
Together, let's break down barriers, shatter stereotypes, and create a future where women, alongside men, thrive in the exciting world of technology.
Join the conversation: Share your journeys, thoughts, and experiences on social media using #CyberSHEcurity and tag @SangforPhilippines. We want to hear from you!
