Though the realm of cybersecurity has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated field, an increasing number of women are breaking barriers, demonstrating that expertise, rather than gender, is what truly determines one’s achievements and successes.
Diving into cybersecurity after six years in the medical lab
My journey into cybersecurity was an unconventional one. I began as a medical lab technologist at the Singapore General Hospital, handling biomedical tasks such as patient specimens for six years. Driven by the aspiration to inspire tomorrow’s health for Singaporeans, I embarked on transformative journey to help build a safer and more secure digital healthcare ecosystem.
In addition to pursuing a Specialist Diploma in Bioinformatics and Data Analytics, I also completed an apprenticeship focused on developing AI-driven federated medical image segmentation pipelines. This foundation paved the way for my entry into the policy realm of cybersecurity. My unique background across the different subjects has equipped me to bridge the gap between healthcare, technology, and cybersecurity in today’s evolving HealthTech landscape.
Breaking into a male-dominated industry was not just about learning new skills — it includes defying expectations and finding my voice. While the journey came with its share of challenges, adaptability and resilience were my greatest tools. What drove me forward was the belief that, as a woman in tech, I could make a real impact and help shape the future.
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The involvement of women in cybersecurity is vital as it brings a diverse range of minds, perspectives, and experiences to address complex challenges. Women can contribute valuable strengths and enhance inclusivity for a more balanced and effective team dynamic. This is especially important in healthcare, where the integration of varied skills and viewpoints help yield a more comprehensive approach to patient care.
Paving the healthtech landscape for more women
The more we celebrate the contributions of women in tech, the more we can inspire future generations to pursue roles once considered out of reach. One of my proudest moment at was contributing to the development of the “first-in-the-world” multi-levelled Cybersecurity Labelling Scheme for Medical Devices [CLS(MD)] locally, empowering consumers and healthcare providers to make informed decisions about these devices’ security levels.
Beyond Singapore, my team also worked with the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP) to launch the GDHP Guidance for Medical Device Cybersecurity (GMDC) to boost cybersecurity in healthcare worldwide.
Working in the tech has shown me the importance of diverse perspectives and experiences. Success in this field goes beyond technical expertise — it is about merging insights from healthcare, technology, and policy to drive meaningful progress in patient care.
By challenging stereotypes and embracing unconventional career paths, we can reshape the industry and create more opportunities for women to succeed. I am proud to help build a more inclusive field and a safer HealthTech landscape ready for the future.
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