Ethical Hacker Betta Lyon Delsordo Inspires Girls in Tech

Betta Lyon Delsordo, a prominent ethical hacker, is reshaping the landscape of cybersecurity while inspiring a new generation of girls to break into the tech field. At just 25 years old, Delsordo is not your typical hacker; she works for OnDefend, a company dedicated to protecting organizations from cyber threats, demonstrating that cybersecurity can be an engaging and collaborative profession.

Unlike the negative stereotypes often associated with hackers, Delsordo embraces her role as a defender. “Basically, people hire me to hack them,” she explains. “I break into their systems, then I teach them how to protect themselves.” With global cybercrime costs now exceeding trillions of dollars annually, her expertise is in high demand. Delsordo has already penetrated the IT systems of various companies, including social media platforms and regional banks, as she specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) security.

Challenging Stereotypes in a Male-Dominated Field

Delsordo’s journey began at the age of 13 when she discovered coding through YouTube. Growing up in Montana, she faced challenges, including a lack of access to technology and a predominantly male environment in tech classes. Despite these obstacles, her passion for technology only grew. “Technology is power right now – it’s money, it’s influence,” she emphasizes, highlighting the importance of women gaining access to these fields.

Her breakthrough came after winning an iPod Touch in a school competition, which allowed her to experiment with technology independently. “It was really locked down, so I would experiment with hacking it,” she recalls, setting the stage for her future career. A pivotal moment occurred when she participated in the Technovation challenge, where she and her friends designed an app to help connect people with mental health resources in rural areas. “The biggest benefit was the world that the competition opened up to me,” she notes, emphasizing the importance of mentorship.

Now, as a mentor for the same initiative, Delsordo is keen to help girls navigate the tech industry. Her involvement in the Def Con conference in Las Vegas further solidifies her standing in the field. She aims to dispel the myth that only a specific type of person can succeed in tech, countering the belief that hackers must conform to a particular profile. “They’re like: ‘You can only be a hacker if you think like this,’” she says. “I want to discourage that.”

Empowering Future Generations

With a master’s degree in cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Delsordo is well-equipped to tackle the complexities of modern hacking. She acknowledges that ethical hacking can be enjoyable, often comparing it to solving puzzles. “Being an ethical hacker is a really amazing career because you get to help people,” she shares, emphasizing the positive impact of her work.

Delsordo remains steadfast in her commitment to integrity within her profession. She acknowledges the existence of “grey hackers,” who blur the lines between ethical and malicious hacking, but insists that her role requires maintaining a clear ethical stance. “It would end my career,” she states, underlining the stakes involved in her work.

Her message to young girls aspiring to enter tech is clear: success is possible. Despite significant gender disparities in STEM fields, where men still outnumber women two to one in the United States and closer to three to one in the UK, Delsordo’s story serves as a beacon of hope. Statistics from Women in Tech reveal that two-thirds of US recruiters acknowledge gender bias in hiring practices, yet Delsordo’s journey exemplifies overcoming these barriers.

In a world increasingly reliant on technology, Delsordo’s commitment to empowering women in tech is more crucial than ever. By sharing her experiences and providing guidance, she aims to inspire future generations to embrace the opportunities available in the tech industry, ultimately reshaping the narrative around women in cybersecurity.