Women in Cyber: Grace Gross

In celebration of Women's History Month, we're spotlighting the incredible women of Cobalt throughout March. Each feature will share their unique cybersecurity journeys, insights, and career lessons they have learned.

How long have you been working in cybersecurity? How did you get started in the field? 

I started my cybersecurity career at Cobalt, over two years ago. Previously, I’ve mostly worked for B2B products and services. I find B2B problems more complex and interesting to me. Cybersecurity has always interested me as it’s becoming increasingly critical with the rise of sophisticated cyberattacks, data breaches, and the growing reliance on technology. Protecting businesses and individuals from these threats is more important than ever.

What has been the greatest reward of your career? What do you love most about your job? 

As a product designer, I love bringing ideas to life, from researching and many iterations to seeing the final result in customers' hands. I enjoy working hands-on with the product and seeing it evolve over time. My impact feels quite tangible.

What has been the greatest challenge you faced in your career? 

While there have been numerous hurdles, one challenge that stands out is mastering the art of rapid, informed decision-making. As a designer, you often hear contradictory feedback from various stakeholders and you need to be able to process it and make the right decision for the product. Learning to synthesize those perspectives and make a decisive call, while still ensuring the product's integrity, was a great learning experience.

What impact has female mentorship had on your life? Was the impact in a personal or professional setting? 

It’s been so important for me to have female mentors. I’ve been inspired by how they carry themselves in professional settings and it’s given me a lot of confidence. Seeing someone succeed in a way I can relate to is important for my ambition. It’s also important to find people you can talk to about anything that frustrates or confuses you.

My mum has been a great mentor to me. She’s an incredibly hard worker and very low-key about her achievements. I’m lucky to have had success and powerful female mentorship from a young age.

What is your advice to young female professionals coming into the workforce or into cybersecurity? 

Don’t second guess yourself too much and try not to be too hard on yourself. I’ve been guilty of both of those things and I think it’s often a waste of energy. I also think it’s important to be authentic. You don’t need to try to be anyone else to be successful. Authenticity is infectious! You’ll help build a welcoming workplace culture.

What’s your biggest inspiration or motivator when you are down? 

One of my favorite quotes from Mary Poppins “In every job that must get done there is an element of fun”. I'm not talking about ignoring real problems, but rather shifting my perspective. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I try to pinpoint the aspects of the task I genuinely enjoy or find a way to make it more engaging. It's about strategically choosing where to invest my energy and recognizing that even tough projects can have moments of satisfaction

Is there a moment in recent memory, where you felt empowered by female representation?

While global movements are undeniably powerful, I find myself particularly inspired by the tangible impact of local, grassroots initiatives. Berlin has a vibrant pro-FLINTA (female, lesbian, inter, non-binary, trans and agender) scene, with women advocating for gender equality in various areas, including politics, the workplace, and social life. The existence of FLINTA-owned bookstores that champion diverse voices, or the thriving FLINTA-only parties that foster a sense of belonging, are incredibly empowering. Living in a city where FLINTA representation is woven into the fabric of daily life creates a palpable sense of community and progress. You can truly feel the difference!