Hannah Rees is Head of Operations at Bridewell, where she plays a central role in shaping the organisation’s culture, employee experience, and operational excellence.
She regularly represents the company in public communications, championing development, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and has been a key voice in Bridewell’s recognition as one of the UK’s leading workplaces. Hannah also co-hosts major internal events such as BridewellCon, helping to drive engagement and highlight the company’s values in practice.
In the fast-paced world of technology, particularly cybersecurity, I’ve witnessed many women continue to hold themselves back, waiting until they feel completely ready before taking the next step in their careers.
This lack of confidence has consequently hindered the uptake of women in the industry, as a recent study shows that just 17.5% of cyber security roles are currently held by women. Although this figure does continue to rise each year, the disparity between genders within the sector persists. Evidently, the need for diversity in cybersecurity shouldn’t be viewed as a “nice to have”, when in fact it is getting more crucial than ever. Women must back themselves, take risks and pursue opportunities even when self-doubt lingers.
Confidence over perfection
Many professionals believe that perfectionism is the key to success, but in my personal experience, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Throughout my career, I’ve seen that confidence can take you further than perfection ever will. The people who grow the fastest aren’t necessarily the most experienced, they’re the ones brave enough to ask questions, admit what they don’t know and try something new. This emphasises the importance of creating environments where it feels safe to take risks and make mistakes is crucial for growth, both individually and collectively.
Celebrating small wins
Recognising small achievements is as important as celebrating major milestones. Each step forward, no matter how minor it feels, builds momentum, reinforces confidence and creates a sense of capability. Celebrating these wins helps women acknowledge their progress and encourages them to continue stepping into new challenges.
It is equally important to celebrate the successes of others. Whether it’s a colleague reaching a personal goal, someone being recognised in industry spaces such as women-in-cyber awards or simply witnessing peers pushing boundaries, these moments matter. Acknowledging and supporting each other’s achievements creates a culture of encouragement and collaboration where everyone feels valued, confident and motivated to take on what comes next. In doing so, we build a genuine sense of community, one that lifts us all and fuels ongoing growth across the team.
The power of speaking up
For some women, the idea of speaking up, particularly in male-dominated industries, can be daunting, but it is crucial to career growth. Putting yourself forward doesn’t always mean taking a giant leap. Sometimes it’s as simple as saying, “I’d love to get involved in that project” or “Can I learn more about that role?” These small acts of courage can significantly influence the direction of a career. While this may feel uncomfortable at the time, it is perfectly normal and often a sign that you’re stretching yourself. It’s important to remember that growth rarely happens inside a comfort zone and often emerges when we challenge ourselves in small, consistent ways.
Stepping outside the comfort zone
There’s a saying that has always stayed with me: “progress lives outside your comfort zone”. In tech, we often wait until we feel completely ready, until we’ve ticked every box, before putting ourselves forward. But the truth is, no one ever feels 100% ready. Confidence often matters more than capability. You can learn the skills, but first you have to take that initial step and believe you belong in the room.
Progress doesn’t happen in safe spaces. It happens when we apply for the role that intimidates us, speak up in a meeting, or take on a challenge just beyond our current skill set. Each time we do, we prove to ourselves that we are capable of more than we imagined. When women see other women taking these steps, it creates a ripple effect, inspiring others to aim higher and push themselves further.
If there’s one message I’d like every woman in tech to take away, it’s that you don’t need to be perfect to be ready. Start by saying yes, putting your name forward or asking the question. Progress truly lives outside your comfort zone and the moment you take that first step, new opportunities and growth will follow.
