“Through WiCyS, I’ve been able to lead, inspire and empower the next generation of women in cybersecurity, transforming challenges into opportunities and mentorship into lasting impact. What began as a search for belonging turned into a journey of leadership, mentorship and meaningful connection. I found a community that not only welcomed my story but empowered me to use it to uplift others and drive change in cybersecurity.”
—Dalal Alharthi, Assistant Professor, University of Arizona
When Dalal Alharthi moved from Saudi Arabia to the U.S. with her husband and two children, she was not only navigating a demanding academic schedule but also adjusting to life in a new country. With English that wasn’t yet strong and a multidisciplinary background that spanned both technical and leadership roles, Dalal faced the challenge of adapting to a new academic culture while continuing her career trajectory. That’s when she discovered the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) organization.
Dalal’s journey began with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, followed by a Master’s in Public Administration from King Saud University, during which she published several papers on leadership and public administration. She began her career as a programmer at PNU, then served as a director at the Ministry of Civil Service and later became a lecturer at Shaqra University. Eventually, she earned a scholarship to pursue further studies in the U.S. “When I first came here, my English wasn’t very strong and I had two young children,” she shared. “It wasn’t just the language barrier; it was reconnecting with technical concepts and navigating a new system.” Her academic path led her to the University of California, Irvine, where she completed both a Master’s and a PhD in Computer Science.
While working toward her PhD, Dalal welcomed her third child and held engineering roles at Farmers Insurance, Palo Alto Networks and Dell Technologies. But it was a casual conversation with a fellow student that would redirect her future: “We started talking about WiCyS and ended up co-founding the Student Chapter at UC Irvine,” Dalal recalled. That decision brought clarity and a new sense of purpose. “WiCyS reinforced my commitment to cybersecurity and opened new doors for growth,” she said. “I took extra courses, completed a cybersecurity bootcamp and refined my research direction. It came at a time when I was juggling motherhood, language barriers and high academic expectations. The timing couldn’t have been better.”
Dalal’s involvement in WiCyS quickly grew. After serving in student leadership, she became Vice President of the WiCyS Farmers Insurance Affiliate. Today, as an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona, she’s established a new WiCyS chapter to support and empower her students. Her journey with the organization continued through hands-on opportunities, such as the AWS Security Competition. “It gave me a chance to work with others on applied cloud security challenges in a fun and supportive environment, adding a new dimension to my industry background.” Most recently, Dalal was selected for the WiCyS Speaker Spotlight Program, where she now inspires others through public speaking. “WiCyS gives women like me a platform—not just to learn, but to lead,” she said. “I’ve built confidence, improved my communication skills and connected with like-minded women from all over the world.”
For Dalal, WiCyS has been more than just a stepping stone in her professional development; it’s a source of belonging. “The passion people have for cybersecurity and growing the workforce is incredible,” she said. “Everyone is so welcoming. You meet people who share your interests and keep collaborating long after the conference ends. That’s something truly unique about WiCyS.”
Though Dalal now works in academia, she continues to bridge research and industry through her WiCyS network. “I’ve presented at the WiCyS Conference for the past two years and even launched research projects with students I met there,” she shared. She also mentors underrepresented students, leads multi-institutional research efforts and is driving innovation in AI-based cloud forensics.
WiCyS has played a powerful role in amplifying Dalal’s voice, expanding her impact and connecting her with a global community of changemakers. While the organization has served as a catalyst in her journey, it’s Dalal’s leadership, resilience and vision that continue to shape the future of cybersecurity.”
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