From High Seas to High Security: Gabriela’s Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

Welcome back to Data and Drams!

In this episode, I’m joined by Gabriela, a cybersecurity leader whose career path started not in a server room, but on the open ocean. Transitioning from the maritime industry to the front lines of digital defence, she brings a unique perspective forged in the high-stakes environment of cruise ships, where risk management, resilience, and adaptability aren't just corporate buzzwords, but daily necessities.

We dive deep into the terrifying turning point that changed everything, a personal cyber breach that wiped out her life savings. Rather than backing down, Gabriela turned to mastering cyber forensics and completely reinventing her professional identity in a post-COVID world.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How lessons from the sea apply to securing the cloud

• Why involving cybersecurity early in the project lifecycle is the ultimate game-changer.

• Her impactful work with Cybersecurity Champions of Tomorrow, dedicated to empowering the next wave of cyber professionals.

For our dram of choice, we poured The Balvenie 14-Year-Old Caribbean Cask. It was a fitting tribute to Gabriela’s maritime roots in the Caribbean and her current role in cyber, smooth and sweet on the surface, but backed by a rich, oaky resilience and a spicy finish that lingers long after the first sip. Much like her leadership style, it is a perfect blend of old-world discipline and new-world adaptability.

So, if you’re ready to dive in, pull up a chair, pour yourself a drink, and join Gabriela and I for Data & Drams.