While cyber security is known for being a highly technical industry, behind every successful security programme are people who can build relationships, ask the right questions, and help organisations understand the risks they face.
For Louise Bohan, SDR Manager at MetaCompliance, the path into cyber security didn’t begin with technology. Instead, it began with a career in public relations, a move to Derry, and a part-time call centre role while raising her young son.
What followed was an unexpected introduction to the cyber security world and a career in sales that would challenge her confidence, reshape how she saw herself professionally, and ultimately become something she loves.
We caught up with Louise to find out more about how she got started, the challenges she faced, and why support networks for women in the industry matter so much.
How did you get into cyber security, and what attracted you to the commercial side of the industry?
My background was actually in public relations. I worked for a large pharmaceutical company and had completed a master’s degree in PR, so that was very much the direction I thought my career would take.
When I moved up to Derry, my son was still very young and my priorities were quite different to earlier in my career. I wanted something flexible that would allow me to work around family life, something where I could contribute professionally but still have the time and headspace to focus on being a new mum.
I wasn’t looking for a full-time role or something that required a lot of mental energy, and ended up taking a call centre job for a few hours a week.
A friend of mine had recently joined MetaCompliance and suggested I take a look at the company. At that stage it wasn’t cyber security as an industry that attracted me, it was MetaCompliance itself. The culture seemed different, the people were welcoming, and there were opportunities to grow.
Once I joined, those opportunities started appearing quite quickly, and that’s how my journey into cyber security really began.
Sales can be a challenging environment. What was it like stepping into that role?
To be completely honest, at the beginning I wasn’t sure sales was something I would ever feel comfortable doing.
My training and background were in communications, and I thought I would eventually move back into something like PR. When I started working in sales it felt extremely challenging on a personal level.
Part of that was confidence. As women, many of us have grown up hearing that asking directly for what we want can come across as pushy or inappropriate. Sales requires the opposite approach. You have to be comfortable asking questions, leading conversations, and being very direct about what you’re offering.
Suddenly my role involved speaking with Chief Information Security Officers from large organisations, and that felt intimidating at first. But over time you realise that these conversations are just conversations between people. Once you shift your mindset and focus on understanding the problems organisations are trying to solve, the whole dynamic changes.
What helped you build confidence in a role like that?
Practice was a huge part of it, but so was the support around me.
One of the things that made a real difference early in my career was the willingness of other women in the industry to share their experiences. Many of them had faced similar challenges when they were starting out, and they were incredibly generous with their advice and encouragement.
They helped me avoid some of the mistakes they had made and gave me practical guidance on how to approach conversations, build relationships, and develop confidence in the role.
That kind of support makes a big difference, especially in an industry where women have historically been underrepresented.
How have you seen opportunities for women in cyber security evolve?
There’s definitely been progress.
You can see that younger generations of women are being encouraged more strongly by teachers, parents, and mentors to pursue careers that might once have seemed out of reach. The idea that certain roles or industries aren’t suitable for women is gradually disappearing.
At the same time, there’s still work to be done. Confidence remains a barrier for a lot of people entering sales or cyber security roles, and that’s where mentorship and visible role models become really important.
When women see others succeeding in these roles, it helps them imagine themselves doing the same.
What advice would you give to women considering a career in cyber security or sales?
My biggest advice would be to find a strong network.
There are so many supportive communities within cyber security and sales, and those connections can make a huge difference when you’re navigating the early stages of your career.
People are often much more willing to help than you might expect. Whether it’s advice, coaching, or simply sharing their experiences, those conversations can help build confidence and also open doors.
Cyber security is an exciting industry to be part of. It’s constantly evolving, it challenges you to keep learning, and there are opportunities to grow in so many different directions.
If you’re curious and willing to push yourself outside your comfort zone, it can be an incredibly rewarding career.
What does it mean to see other women succeeding in the organisation today?
It’s genuinely one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
We have several women in our sales teams who are achieving incredible results, and it’s inspiring to watch their careers develop. One example is Ana Carolina Sousa, who started as an SDR in my team and is now leading the entire Portuguese sales team.
English isn’t her first language, and she faced plenty of challenges early on, but she believed in herself and kept pushing forward. Seeing someone grow from those early stages into a leadership role is amazing.
Stories like that show what’s possible when people are supported and given the opportunity to develop.
For me, that’s one of the best things about working in this industry. You’re not just building your own career, you’re also helping others realise what they’re capable of.
If you’re interesting in building a role in cyber, or sales specifically, our team are always happy to chat.