“The Target Cyber Defense Challenge was my gateway into cybersecurity. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me uncover a passion I hadn’t fully realized. The challenges kept me engaged and showed me what I was capable of, even without a traditional technical background. Through the experience, I found a supportive community of incredible women and mentors who believed in me. WiCyS gave me the confidence, resources and connections I needed to take those critical first steps and continue growing in my cybersecurity career.”
—Alex Perotti, Principal Threat Intelligence Analyst
Before Alex Perotti ever reverse-engineered a piece of malware or became a Principal Threat Intelligence Analyst on a global cyber team, she was working behind the scenes in the nonprofit sector. For nearly a decade, she managed everything from communications and social media to graphic design and digital strategy. With a creative and tech-savvy background, she was comfortable with digital tools, but hadn’t yet imagined herself thriving in the world of cybersecurity.
“I was always a bit of a tech-nerdy child,” she said, reflecting on a curiosity that lingered well beyond childhood. That same curiosity led her to explore cybersecurity in early 2021. She began taking online classes, reading tech-related books and searching for training opportunities. That’s when she discovered the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) organization.
The first program that caught her attention was the WiCyS Security Training Scholarship, but applications had just closed. Still, she reached out and was connected with a mentor through WiCyS, who encouraged her to become a member, engage with the community and keep an eye out for future opportunities. “She told me WiCyS was a safe space for me to explore the field, connect with others and figure out if cybersecurity was the right path for me,” Alex said. That encouragement led her to attend webinars, join open initiatives and begin building community while still working full-time in the nonprofit world.
In early 2022, the WiCyS Target Cyber Defense Challenge opened for applications. Though Alex had no prior cybersecurity experience, she applied, and it became a defining moment in her career. “I had never even opened up a binary disassembler. I barely knew what that was at the time,” she recalled. “I was coming from a background in digital communications—creative, humanities-focused work. But I decided to try it anyway and see what I could learn.”
What began as an intimidating step quickly became a transformative experience. The program presented a variety of challenges that kept her fully engaged and captivated from start to finish. Alex advanced through all three tiers of the challenge and placed among the Top 10 participants. “I discovered what my real passion was, thanks to the Target Cyber Defense Challenge,” she said. “That’s when I realized—this might be it. This might be the field for me.”
In the final tier of the program, she had the opportunity to present to the Target cyber team and set clear goals for herself: earn the GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware Certification and pursue a career in reverse engineering. With her characteristic grit, aptitude and determination, she has since achieved every goal she outlined. “The challenge gave me the boost, the community and the confidence that I belonged in this space,” Alex said.
Just months after starting the challenge, Alex felt ready to apply for cybersecurity jobs. She landed her first intelligence role in July 2022 as an OSINT Specialist at QOMPLEX, Inc., a cybersecurity vendor. At the same time, she enrolled in the SANS Cyber Women’s Academy, completing the program and earning the GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware Certification—just as she had planned.
Today, Alex works in cyber threat intelligence as a Principal Threat Intelligence Analyst for a top global firm, where she reverse-engineers malware linked to both cybercrime and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Her career shift has not only been professionally defining but personally life-changing. As a single mom to a toddler, cybersecurity has given her financial stability and peace of mind. “I’m definitely more financially stable and secure now. Reverse engineering is a niche skillset that’s in high demand, and that gives me a strong foundation even in a volatile job market. Having that stability at my core is absolutely essential—it’s what allows me to move forward with confidence.”
At every step, the WiCyS community has been a cornerstone in Alex’s journey. She cherishes her experience at the WiCyS annual conference. “I still get goosebumps thinking about the keynote stories and the amazing women I met there.” From her first mentor to the friendships formed during the Target Cyber Defense Challenge, she’s found people who not only believed in her but walked alongside her. She highlights her relationship with Noureen Njoroge, WiCyS board member and seasoned threat intelligence analyst, as a pivotal part of her career journey. “Noureen has empowered me and mentored me throughout my transition. I look up to her and the incredible things she’s done in cyber. When I think about where I want to be 10 years from now, I see someone like her.”
When asked what her past self would think of where she is today, Alex smiled. “She would think I made the best choice I could make.” Her advice to others exploring cybersecurity without a traditional background? “Just follow your gut. People will have doubts. You might have doubts. But eventually, you’ll meet people who see your value and want to support you.”
With courage, community and curiosity, Alex rewrote her future and continues to thrive. Her journey from nonprofit communications to cybersecurity has fueled a deep commitment to growth through education, certifications and new experiences. Thanks to her involvement with WiCyS and the Target Cyber Defense Challenge, she now pursues her career with confidence and clarity, knowing exactly where her future lies.
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