In line with Echelon Risk + Cyber's value of People with Personality, we are excited to continue our Cybersecurity Champion series, where we spotlight the incredible individuals who make up our team. Each month, we share the stories of professionals whose talent, dedication, and unique perspectives help keep organizations secure.
Renata Uribe is a Cybersecurity Consultant at Echelon Risk + Cyber, where she's spent the last three years growing from intern to consultant on the Risk Advisory team. She holds a degree in Data Science and Mathematical Engineering with a minor in Advanced Artificial General Intelligence from Tecnológico de Monterrey, and is pursuing her master's degree in Information Security at Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. She brings hands-on experience in penetration testing, cryptographic algorithms, and digital signature schemes for secure electronic contracting. A former Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, she has also spent time advocating for women in STEM through events, conferences, and mentorship.
1. Tell us about your background and how your studies and early career shaped your path into risk advisory at Echelon Risk + Cyber.
My bachelor's is in data science and mathematics here in Mexico. It's not the most common background to get into cybersecurity, but at the time, the program was brand new at my university. I was in the first generation. The course path wasn't totally clear yet, but we had one class on cybersecurity, and that's basically how it started.
2. You've been at Echelon Risk + Cyber for three years, starting as an intern and growing into a consultant. What shifts or trends have you observed in the industry during that time?
This was my first job ever, so I don't know anything besides Echelon. Since starting, the biggest shift I've seen is AI. Early on, I was excited to merge my data science degree with cybersecurity, but there weren't many opportunities for that yet, or at least I didn't see a clear path. Now we're doing AI governance risk assessments, working with new frameworks like ISO 42001, and building out playbooks around things like unauthorized AI and large language models. Clients are asking about this constantly.
3. As a former Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador, you spent time advocating for women in STEM through events and outreach. What was that experience like, and what do you think still needs to change for women entering the cyber field?
I hosted technology events at university, things like lunch-and-learns on machine learning. There's always more work to do. We have a lot of girls in STEM right now, which is great, but we need to keep inspiring them to stay. That means mentoring, helping others, showing up. Inspiring people is honestly one of the most important parts of this work.
In 2024, I spoke at WiCyS, a women in cybersecurity conference in Nashville, where a former colleague and I gave a talk together on social media forensics and deepfakes. Meeting so many women in cyber and tech there was a really cool experience.
4. Are there any specific resources, books, blogs, websites, or communities that have been particularly helpful or inspiring in your cybersecurity journey?
I'd say The Cuckoo's Egg by Clifford Stoll. I actually hosted a book club around it at my former university in Mexico. I think that's a really cool tip for keeping girls inspired by cybersecurity. It's not just about conferences or speaking events. Something as small as a book club that meets once a month really helps keep the conversation going.
I'd also say reading science fiction, even though it might not sound like an obvious pick. Some stories put you in the perspective of possible futures, and you can pull ideas from what you'd want to see happen or want to avoid.
5. What's something you've really come to appreciate about being part of Echelon Risk + Cyber?
Number one, the people. I really like my team. Beyond that, I really enjoy the diversity of engagements. As a consulting firm, we're always learning and seeing different things across every client and every sector.
6. Outside of work, how do you like spending your time? Any hobbies or interests you're passionate about?
I'm a writer. I like to both write and read, but I specialize in poetry and science fiction. I've written some short stories, and I’ve been included in some anthology books. I also like to dance and play the bongo, specifically Latin rhythms like salsa.
7. What does being a Cybersecurity Champion mean to you?
For me, it's speculative work. I really like cybersecurity, especially risk advisory, because it intersects my passions as a writer with cybersecurity and technology. There's something similar in the speculative work you have to do. You're always imagining possible futures, not just the worst that can happen, but the good things too. Imagining helps build. And, of course, helping others along the way matters just as much.
Want to build a career like Renata's? Discover more about Echelon's team, culture, and open positions.