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Empowering Women in Information Security: Insights from IT Auditor Janette Købche
Despite the growing demand for IT auditors, women remain underrepresented in this field. We have talked to Janette Købche, an experienced IT auditor and Vice President of ISACA Chapter Denmark, to learn more about her journey into the field of information security, the challenges she has faced, and most importantly, her advice for women interested in pursuing a career in information security.
Pursuing a Career in Information Security
Janette Købche is a Director of IT Auditing at Deloitte, where she has worked for almost four years. She has over 16 years of experience in auditing, of which 12 in IT auditing, and has worked across EY in Munich, Milan, and Denmark, PwC in London, and Nordea. Janette is also the Vice President of ISACA Chapter Denmark, the Danish branch of a global information security organization that issues IT security certificates and certifications within IT risk, IT auditing, and more.
Janette started out her career in financial auditing in EY. As she started gaining a better understanding of interim audits, walkthroughs of processes, and testing of internal controls, she realized that “testing controls” was often “testing IT controls”. That made her curious to take a step over to IT auditing, which Janette found to be a welcoming and fun environment.
– I joined a team of 10 men and one woman, and I liked the guy-ish down to earth jargon, talking about computer games during lunch. I never really thought about it as “I’m one of the guys”. I was just there, learned, and had fun with great colleagues, Janette says. She emphasizes that she has never experienced to be looked down at as a woman. Instead she has experienced equal opportunities throughout her career.
When we ask Janette to share a challenge she has encountered during her career, she shares that the feeling of lacking in-depth technical knowledge has been a source of doubt.
– I have adequate technical knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of IT controls to hold my current position. However, at times, I have doubted myself for lacking in-depth technical knowledge. My focus is on IT risk, governance, audit processes, and the synergy between IT controls and financial auditing. As I move towards more management-oriented roles, my technical knowledge takes a backseat.
Janette adds that this has never stopped her from accepting challenges thrown her direction.
Diversity Is Key
– What are your thoughts around diversity in your field, and how do you foster a culture of diversity?
– Diversity is hugely important to the entire IT area. Women are underrepresented and if Denmark is to find another 200.000 IT talents within 2030, as the Danish Business Authority predicts that we need, we indeed need to onboard women. Furthermore, women are just as skilled and capable as men, so why on earth are we left out of all the fun?
Janette explains that she has been proactive in trying to create a more diverse environment within her team. She also leads the ISACA’s SheLeadsTech program, which aims to increase the representation of women in technology leadership roles and the tech workforce through mentorship, professional development and leadership training.
For women interested in pursuing IT auditing, Janette is clear in her message:
– Just do it! You don’t have to be super technical in the beginning, you just need the interest to learn. I have learned most of my skills on the job – learning by doing.
In addition to being curious and believing in yourself, Janette emphasizes the importance of having a supportive network of colleagues and mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement. Moreover, she has a good tip:
– Look for roles and companies that are interesting to you, and find those with female management. Both big companies and tech female start-ups. Look into their career and follow them in the press and on LinkedIn for instance.
Lastly, Janette believes that Pippi Longstoking’s words should be a mantra for all women interested in this field: “I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able to do that”.