BS SGT 3 / Bridging the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity to Harness Expertise and Drive Business Success
Showcasing the value of closing the gender gap in cybersecurity through interviews with ESET’s Women in Cybersecurity scholars, highlighting future talent; a Field CISO Advisor, discussing leadership in cybersecurity; and ESET’s VP of HR, focusing on workforce development.
Viktoria Ivanova Bio
Viktoria studied management and finance but found her way into IT by chance through her love of data. She began exploring databases and SQL, which led to her first job at her dream company, ESET, as a data analyst. Over time, she progressed to leading her own analytical team and later the entire Business Intelligence department. She then took the opportunity to completely shift her career trajectory and applied for the role of VP of Consumer & IoT, a position she now holds.
She founded a women's employee resource group to help others overcome their fears and barriers, empowering them to grow with confidence. A strong advocate for inclusion, she believes in building a world where everyone can be their true selves, feeling accepted and valued.
In her free time, Viktoria mentors young women aspiring to enter the IT field or take on leadership roles. She also writes a newsletter and hosts a video podcast, where she openly discusses topics related to soft skills, well-being, and mental health.
Celeste Blodgett Bio
With over 30 years of experience in education, training, and management, Celeste Blodgett serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at ESET. She holds dual master’s degrees in Education and Human Resources and recently obtained her coaching certification from the Hudson Institute of Coaching. Celeste actively coaches and mentors through programs at USD, SDHR-forum, CSSMU, and ESET’s internal management training program, EMERGE, which focuses on emerging managers and high-potential contributors. In 2024, she was awarded the San Diego Business Journal Business Woman of the Year. She has also been recognized as the Women of Influence, Champion of Women Award Winner 2018, CWI Women’s Advocate of the Year finalist 2018, and San Diego Magazine’s 2018 Celebrating Women finalist.
A trailblazer in the STEM field, Celeste founded WOW, the ‘Women in the Workplace’ leadership group, and the Women in Cybersecurity scholarship program in 2015, earning national acclaim for ten consecutive years. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for aspiring individuals to pursue rewarding careers in STEM. Celeste actively supports these programs by providing mentorship, securing funding, and organizing events that connect students with industry leaders.
Betta Lyon Delsordo Bio
Betta Lyon Delsordo began her cyber journey at the age of 13 when she started teaching herself to code. This grew into freelance web development work for small businesses in Montana, where she soon realized she needed to know more about application security to keep her clients safe. Betta received the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship in 2018, which launched her on a path for success in the field. After completing a Master's in Cybersecurity at Georgia Tech and obtaining certifications such as the GPEN, Betta is now working as a Application Security Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker) for OnDefend. Betta is very involved in the cybersecurity community and with organizations that support women in technology. She has been a mentor for 9 years with Technovation (an international girls coding program), and is an organizer and speaker for organizations promoting diversity in technology including RTC, WiCyS, WISP, and WSC.
Charles „Chuck“ Everette Bio
Chuck Everette, Field CISO at ESET and vCISO for the City of Fort Lauderdale, is a cybersecurity leader with a proven track record of securing complex environments across government, enterprise, and SMB sectors. With experience spanning regulatory compliance, risk management, and security innovation, Chuck has consistently helped organizations navigate cybersecurity transformation. As a trusted advisor and collaborator, he works with stakeholders to address emerging threats, enhance compliance frameworks, and build cross-sector partnerships that strengthen resilience. A recognized speaker and published expert, Chuck’s insights drive strategic improvements in security posture, emphasizing proactive, industry-wide collaboration.
More presentations from Viktoria Ivanova: Breakout Session - Consumer Track , BS CT 1 / Navigating The Future: Why Consumer Cybersecurity Matters , BS CT 4 / Unfiltered Q&A
More presentations from Charles Everette: BS SGT 1 / Navigating Cybersecurity Compliance – Risk, Reality & What’s Next (focused on the United States)
