From Impostor to Expert: Overcoming Self-Doubt in Cybersecurity

Impostor syndrome affects even the most accomplished professionals—especially women in cybersecurity and tech. But confidence isn’t a trait you’re born with; it’s a mindset you can cultivate. This talk will empower you with practical, research-driven strategies to overcome self-doubt, own your accomplishments, and build an authentic, confident presence in the industry. Whether you’re stepping into a new role, leading a team, or striving to make your voice heard, you’ll gain tools to navigate challenges with clarity and self-assurance—and inspire others to do the same. Our Speaker, Ani Turner is a Senior Security Engineer at Adobe, where she leads the company’s bug bounty program and partners with ethical hackers to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities across Adobe’s applications. With a unique background that blends full-stack development and psychology, Ani brings a human-centered lens to security — bridging the gap between engineers and hackers to foster collaboration, trust, and impactful change. Her journey into cybersecurity wasn’t a straight line. After earning a degree in psychology and transitioning into tech through a coding bootcamp, Ani discovered her passion for application security during her master’s program in Information Systems. Today, she uses her unconventional path and personal experiences to mentor others in the field and speak openly about topics like imposter syndrome, confidence, and growth in high-pressure environments. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/501364