Mitsuko Azuma
“I believe that our unique experiences, whether as a woman, mother, or cybersecurity leader, contribute to our strengths. I hope other women get inspired by what those in cyber are doing.”
A cyber leader, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) advocate and mother, Mitsuko started her career in digital transformation (DX) strategy and human resource consulting in the power and gas industries before breaking into cyber after maternity leave. Cybersecurity grew exponentially as a national priority ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, motivating Mitsuko to embrace the challenge.
She’s determined to create a better and more supportive workplace for parents. She also believes everyone has a strength or role to contribute to cybersecurity.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy local food and drinks with loved ones, colleagues and clients. There are various delicious local sake breweries in Japan. I hope people from around the world can also enjoy sake, food and local culture when they travel to Japan.
How has being a woman shaped your experience in this industry?
I first noticed the industry’s low women’s representation upon returning from maternity leave, which ignited my passion for DEI and inspired me to join the Women in Cyber initiative. As a director, I hope to become a role model for other women.
What do you love about working in the cybersecurity industry?
One reason is the many talented specialists I get to work with. They inspire me as they are always on top of the latest technology trends, incident information, geopolitical risks and more. In Cyber, we’re constantly learning and growing, and that’s why I love it.
Do you feel like you’re contributing to helping keep our world secure? If so, why does that matter?
Yes! And the need for cybersecurity is growing. Cyberattacks significantly impact the development and digital transformation of societies, which can upend global trends and values, threatening security. We work in cyber to protect people and the world from those threats, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
