'Challenges aren’t fears; they’re opportunities to prove yourself'
In her role, Anna Pavlovskaya provides clients with detailed analyses of their system or infrastructure digital vulnerabilities, identifying potential threats and offering insights into how attackers might exploit their systems. By monitoring the dark web, scanning for vulnerabilities, and examining leaked databases, Anna helps organizations bolster their defenses against cybercriminals.
I got my first computer
when I was just a little child 
I got my first computer when I was just a little child. This was hardly surprising, since I was born into a family of engineers. From an early age, my father collected all the latest technologies, ranging from new gadgets to advanced soldering tools and beyond. Naturally, as a child, eager to explore the world, all these innovations completely captivated my attention and became the focus of my curiosity.
So, when the time came to choose a university, even though the field of cybersecurity and device protection was still in its infancy, I already knew it was the industry of the future. I wanted to be part of it. Although there were only four girls in our class of 18 people, I was very fortunate — we never felt different from our male classmates. What mattered most in our group were our skills, our work ethic, and our ability to prove ourselves. We were united by a sense of competition, and focused on growth by learning from one another. Seeing someone stronger provided a benchmark that ignited a fire of motivation within me: ‘I want to be better, stronger.’ But if you’re already the best, it’s much easier to grow complacent. That’s why I always reminded myself: if you’re the best here, it’s time to find a new place.
I often say that my story isn’t about fighting the world or external circumstances — it’s about battling myself. In my youth, academic achievements came quite easily, but I never felt at peace. If I accomplished something, gained recognition or success, but it came too easily, it felt hollow. I wasn’t gaining new experience — I was just accumulating knowledge. When I realized this was holding me back professionally, I understood the need to push myself, to work hard, to go where I didn’t want to go, to dig deeper, to challenge myself.
I started my career at a startup, right after university. Since the company was small, I handled a variety of tasks and became a jack-of-all-trades: starting as a junior analyst, I was also a marketer, salesperson, speaker, and developer all at once. Although I didn’t experience discrimination in my studies or work, everything changed when I faced clients for the first time. Back then, a «woman in cybersecurity» was still unusual. When I was young — looking even younger than my age — and met with 50-year-old male clients, they didn’t trust me. I had to prove I was a capable expert, that I could lead a project, and that my words could be trusted. But to prove this to them, I first had to prove it to myself. It was a fight to convince myself first: I can do this, I’ll step up and be a professional. After passing this «school,» doubts directed at me no longer scared me — they became just challenges to overcome. In the end, my greatest achievement was earning the trust of those engineers after successfully completing a project.
Today, there are far more women in cybersecurity, and I’m incredibly glad about that. IT is not just a «boys’ club.» Women are essential in this field because they bring unique qualities to the table: analytical skills, the ability to process vast amounts of information, patience, attention to detail, and strong communication skills. In IT, your success depends entirely on you, not your gender. You can clearly see the correlation between the time you invest, the skills you acquire, and your success.
And, of course, I see this correlation directly in my work at Kaspersky, where I’ve been for over four years. I’m perceived first and foremost as a professional. Within the team and the company, I’ve never felt like I didn’t belong or faced any prejudice. In my experience, there’s a clear marker of professionalism: a true professional will never belittle anyone. If someone claims others aren’t good enough, it’s possible they themselves are lacking. Those who’ve walked the path never feel the need to put others down. And, in my work, I’m truly surrounded by such supportive professionals.
I’m also glad the industry is starting to support women. For example, this year, I attended the Women in Tech conference in Europe for the first time. It was an incredible experience. Unlike typical cybersecurity conferences, this one focused not just on research presentations but also on building networks. The conference platform allowed participants to connect with each other, and women constantly reached out, inviting others for coffee breaks, to exchange insights, and to have fun together. It was something that truly brought us closer. The whole conference was about empowerment — showing that together, we can not only protect the online world but also grow, share experiences, and change the industry.
Beyond external support, I receive endless encouragement from my family. My husband often attends my conference talks. He’s also in cybersecurity, and it’s a true joy to have someone who shares your values by your side. We always have something to talk about and a similar outlook on life. This understanding is a great help because, given the nature of our profession, we truly understand each other’s challenges and can provide mutual support. He’s incredibly proud of my professional achievements and everything I do, and he always supports me.
This combination — support from family, colleagues, and the community — gives me even more inner strength to move forward, to learn, explore, and do more, and to protect the world from cyberthreats.
