Early years and where you came from?
I wanted to be a singer when I was a child and an actress when I was a teenager. Being a lover of performative arts and all the creative processes involved, but still wanting to have a carrier, I ended up with a degree in Marketing and Advertising. After a few professional turns, I ended up finding the wonderful world of IT possibilities.
How were you introduced to the world of the Portuguese tech industry?
I started to work in IT during the boom of the Internet broadband. It was such a great and exciting time to be a part of one of the biggest disruptions of our time!
Walk me through your work and what you are doing now in the tech industry.
I am managing CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) and SIEM (Security Information Event Management) services for a Swedish customer, leader of their sector. At the same time, I’m the Information Security Manager for my company, helping them improve their Information Security Management System and processes.
What part of what you do, you love the most?
The war rooms! For the adrenaline, the challenge, the communication, the teamwork… and mainly because of the accomplishment feeling when we finally solve the issue.
How do you think that your background and knowledge impact the way you approach your work in the Portuguese tech industry?
Communication is key to our work and life. It has enabled me to not only achieve the solution of challenging issues but also to learn, to innovate and to transform my areas and myself.
What advice do you have for young women that want to get into tech and don’t know where to start?
Don’t be afraid to try and to fall. Change jobs and areas if you are not happy. You’ll find your way and the place where you feel happy and accomplished. In the meantime, find someone you can talk and confide.
Walk me through a day in your life as a Portuguese women in tech.
I work from home with colleagues from several countries. Even if my body is seated for several hours, my mind wanders from topic to topic in each meeting. We brainstorm issues and solutions, work together in reports, processes and other documentation. My day is spent with people: talking, collaborating, creating and building a new way of work every time we can.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Google it!
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
Microsoft Teams is the platform that keeps me connected with all the apps in one place! Firefox containers is a tool that helps me manage all investigations in the same browser.
Anything else you would like to share? :)
Looking for female CISOs in Portugal! If you know anyone, please share the name/contact/LinkedIn profile with me!
👉Find Sandra on LinkedIn
