V. Costa-Gazcón
VONE Labs – Founder

Where do you work?
I’ve recently founded my own company, V·ONE Labs. It is a very exciting and challenging journey to be at the helm of my own company and I look forward to growing it into a successful enterprise.

How long have you worked here?
I founded the company on January 1st of this year.

What do you enjoy most about your job and company?
One of the biggest benefits of running my own company is that I am able to work on projects that I am passionate about, and I have the freedom to choose who I work with. This enables me to uphold my values and create work environments that prioritize the well-being of all individuals, proactively addressing issues such as burnout and psychological safety.

How did you get into cybersecurity?
My journey in cybersecurity began when I joined the threat intelligence team at Deloitte. I was drawn to the challenge of protecting organizations from cyber threats and quickly developed a passion for the field.

What are your hopes for women in cybersecurity in the future?
My hope is that women in cybersecurity will be able to break through the glass ceiling and reach positions of leadership, influence and success.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #EmbraceEquity. What does that mean to you?
Equity refers to fairness and justice, and to me it means that everyone should have equal opportunities, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity or background. On International Women’s Day, I embrace this concept and work towards creating a more equal and inclusive future.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I had a lot of aspirations as a child. At the top of the list was being an archeologist digging up dinosaur fossils. I was always fascinated with dinosaurs and the mysteries of the past. I kept some of that fascination by collecting fossils and digging for shark teeth as a hobby. Nevertheless, I remembered learning one day about Valentina Tereshkova, the first female astronaut. I was little, not sure how much, I think I was around 5-6, but I remember thinking “well, if she is Valentina too and went to the moon, then I can do anything I want”. It really inspired me and gave me the confidence to be relentless in the pursuit of my passions.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I once had a conversation with a friend about a particularly unfair situation, and they told me to “trust in people’s power of self-destruction.” This resonated with me because it aligns with a saying in Spanish my mother used to tell me while growing up, “All things fall due to their own weight.” The idea is that when things are unjust or unfair, they will eventually come to an end through their own instability.

What notable woman in history do you relate to and why?
I relate to Flora Tristan, a French-Peruvian activist who lived both in Latin America and in Europe and faced abuse from her husband who attempted to kill her. Despite all the challenges she faced, she made a significant impact on the world as a forerunner of the labor movement. I admire her resilience and determination, as well as her passion for making the world a better place.

Twitter:
@fierytermite
LinkedIn:
V. Costa-Gazcón