Hello! We’re two friends who study and work in the field of cyber security. We attend (and speak at) conferences in the UK – welcome to our Blog.
Here’s a little more information about each of us:
Hello, Bonjour, Privet, I’m Sarah! Currently, I am a full time Security Consultant at NCC Group, and have recently completed my degree at Bournemouth University studying Forensic Computing and Security! Sophia and I used to run the Bournemouth University Computing and Security Society, where I was the Vice President. Currently, I am a part of the Ladies of Cheltenham Hacking Society (LCHS) where we get together to host both technical and social events.
My particular interests lie with Android, hardware, and mobile security. Pre-covid times I won the Best Rookie Track Talk at BSides London 2019, and had the opportunity to run my first workshop at G3C! More recently, I was able to run a de-authenticator workshop at BSides London 2021 and Sophia and I presented our journey and the different pathways of getting into industry.
To add to what already sounds like a beefy dating profile, in my spare time I enjoy being active, such as hiking, baking anything sweet, eating anything sweet and taking every opportunity to seek the sun and travel.
Hey, I’m Sophia! I finished my undergraduate degree studying a BSc Cyber Security Management at Bournemouth University in 2020 (#ClassOfCOVID) and I’m currently working full-time in the industry as a security and threat intelligence consultant. I also help admin the Ladies of Cheltenham Hacking Society (LCHS) with Sarah, and work with schools in the community promoting cyber security careers.
I was on Team UK three times for the European Cyber Security Challenge, and in 2019 led the country as Team Captain. You may have also seen me on the TV, I was a cyber “Hunter” on Channel 4’s series Hunted.
Since starting security things in 2017, I’ve grown a keen interest in automotive security – combining my two favourite things, cars and hacking! I’ve won a few awards in the meantime, including “Best Newcomer to Security” (2017), “Best New Security Blog” (2018), Highly Acclaimed “Rising Star” (2019), “Cybersecurity Student of the Year” (2020) and most recently was a Top 21 winner of “Most Inspiring Women in Cyber” (2021).
Outside of hax, I have a huge passion for cars – I own a GT86 and I am currently restoring a 1997 Mk1 MX5. I’m proud to be a founding member of SQ, where we can empower women in security. Diversity should be exercised and promoted within the industry, and as Acid Burn once said: “Never send a boy to do a woman’s job”.