, Rookie Track
The cybersecurity world moves fast but what happens when life asks you to pause? For many professionals, especially women, taking a career break can feel like stepping off a speeding train. In this talk, I’ll share my experience returning to cybersecurity after a break to support family and why technical ability wasn’t the hardest part. I’ll reveal the hidden hurdles that arise and why overhauling hiring and mentoring practices matters. Let’s revalue experience off the CV … and act like it.
In cybersecurity, momentum is everything. But when life demands a pause, whether to care for family, recover from burnout, or refocus, many professionals find themselves unintentionally edged out of the industry.
In this talk, I’ll share my personal return-to-cybersecurity journey after a career break, highlighting the real barriers beyond technical readiness: the confidence gap, lack of visible return paths, and the subtle stigma of the “CV gap.”
I will explore:
• The hidden cost of overlooking returning professionals
• Why traditional hiring processes filter out talent with career breaks
• How returnships, inclusive hiring, and mentorship can change the game
• What leaders and peers can do to rebuild confidence in returners
This session is a call to action for security professionals, hiring managers, and anyone passionate about growing and retaining diverse talent. Time away doesn’t mean time wasted. It’s time we recognised the value that returning professionals bring.
Sidra is a cybersecurity and identity access management (IAM) professional with over a decade of experience leading global security transformation initiatives. As a former Cybersecurity Delivery Manager and business-facing Product Owner, she drove IAM and data protection portfolio across 33 international markets. Currently returning to the industry after a family career break, Sidra is passionate about inclusive hiring, coaching, and supporting professionals navigating career transitions. Outside work, she enjoys painting, exploring nature with her family, and keeping up with her spirited kitten, Leo.