Itza White

Background

About Itza White

My story is one of timing and alignment. I am an immigrant and an IT professional. My parents immigrated from Mexico to the US in and I was undocumented for most of my childhood. I never allowed myself to dream big because this was just simply not an option as there was no real pathway for someone with my status. I went straight into the workforce. I worked in retail sales for 6 years, where I developed some invaluable skills such as customer service, negotiation, and teamwork. However, the pandemic and a company merger changed my environment, and that was the domino that led me to take a hard look at my job and future and what I wanted to be a part of. I took a leap of faith in myself and decided to apply for a cybersecurity boot camp. After a grueling couple of months and overcoming the incredible mountain that is self-doubt, I completed the program. I graduated from the academy with a renewed passion for cybersecurity. I have continued to pursue learning and sharpening new skills. I am committed to improving, learning, and I want to get to the point in my career where I can help others do the same. I have joined a great community, infosec.live, and have begun volunteering for their programs. Currently, I am part of a team working to build a cybersecurity workshop to help complete beginners have a pathway into the field. I am only where I am today because someone with a seat at the table took a chance on me and made room for me. That is not to say that I did not work hard, but the table is not open to all. My hope and plan is to be able to pull a chair for the next person. I was recently one of two nominees from my company for the BuiltIn 2023 Women in Tech Moxie Award. While I did not win, it was an honor to have my name next to some amazing, inspiring women. I am a passionate and dedicated cybersecurity professional with a strong desire to learn and grow. I am committed to helping others succeed, and I am always looking for ways to give back to the community.