Abadesi Osunsade to lead Women in Cybersecurity keynote

Hustle Crew Chief Executive Officer Abadesi Osunsade will deliver the keynote at the ninth annual Women in Cybersecurity event during Infosecurity Europe 2025.

The event, which is part of the larger Infosecurity Europe conference, is scheduled for early June 2025 and will take place at Excel London.

Osunsade, who is also founder of Hustle Crew and co-host of the Techish podcast, will address attendees under the theme "Taking Up Space: How to Lead the Charge in Cybersecurity". Her keynote will draw on personal experiences working with major organisations including Amazon, Brandwatch, and Groupon, as well as her commitment to supporting underrepresented talent in the technology sector through Hustle Crew.

She will share practical advice on developing confidence, creating a personal brand, and leveraging individual strengths to succeed and take leadership roles in cybersecurity.

Osunsade, who was recognised by the Financial Times as one of the Top 100 Influential Leaders in Tech and featured in publications such as Forbes, The Times, Bloomberg Opinion, and Elle, is known for her work in building inclusive workplace cultures. Her book, "Dream Big Hustle Hard: A Millennial Woman's Guide to Success in Tech," cites her aim to help underrepresented professionals thrive.

"I know from experience how hard it can be to claim your place in a male-dominated industry. But it's not about being able to fit in, you just have to stand out! At the Women in Cyber event, I'll be sharing practical strategies that have helped me and others build lasting influence and authentic confidence in the workplace. I'm thrilled to be part of a space that empowers women and celebrates the unique strengths we continue to bring to the industry.," Osunsade said, speaking about her upcoming keynote.

The programme also features a fireside conversation with Bret Arsenault, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President and Global Chief Security Advisor. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as the company's Chief Information Security Officer, Arsenault will discuss the importance of allyship, leadership, and accountability in advancing inclusion and equity within cybersecurity.

This session will focus on how to foster inclusive cultures in which every individual has the opportunity to thrive in the sector.

Beth Maundrill, Editor of Infosecurity Magazine, will host the event. A key component of the afternoon will be a panel discussion titled "Embracing Diversity and Empowering Women in Cybersecurity," featuring Purvi Kay, Head of Cyber Security—FCAS at BAE Systems; Maritsa Santiago, Chief Information Security Officer at LexisNexis Reed Technology; and Lynette Kerry, Regional Sales Director EMEA at Akamai Technologies.

The panel will consider ways to succeed in cybersecurity careers, the impact of diverse perspectives, supporting neurodiversity, and challenges specific to women in the workplace. They will also highlight methods to advocate for meaningful change within the sector.

Current figures from ISC2 indicate that women constitute just 20–25% of the cybersecurity workforce, although the largest growth is seen amongst younger professionals. Through events like Women in Cybersecurity, Infosecurity Europe aims to maintain and accelerate this upward trend by promoting role models and advocating broader representation at every level of the industry.

The agenda for the session will open with a welcome from Infosecurity Magazine, followed by Osunsade's keynote, the fireside chat with Arsenault, the panel discussion and, to close, a dedicated networking reception for attendees to exchange experiences and foster professional relationships.

The Networking Reception, scheduled from 16:40 to 18:00, will provide an informal setting on the Keynote Stage for further discussion and opportunities to explore career pathways.

"The Women in Cybersecurity event remains a cornerstone of Infosecurity Europe, and this year's line-up is amazing. Abadesi Osunsade's keynote will offer a powerful take on personal leadership and building authentic confidence. It's also a real coup for us to have Bret Arsenault, Microsoft's Global Chief Security Advisor, join the programme. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the world's most respected cybersecurity leaders, sharing his passion for allyship, mentoring, and building inclusive cultures," Brad Maule-ffinch, Event Director at Infosecurity Europe, commented on the line-up.

"To close the day, we've assembled an outstanding panel to spotlight the crucial conversations that must stay at the forefront of our industry — especially as the gender imbalance in cybersecurity persists. Infosecurity Europe is proud to support this vital platform for visibility, progress, and lasting change," Maule-ffinch added. 

The Women in Cybersecurity event at Infosecurity Europe 2025 is expected to attract significant interest from professionals seeking to network, share insights, and engage with influential leaders in the cybersecurity sector.