Hello, and thank you for stopping by!
I’m Lisa, AKA “Cyber Geek Girl”, and I’ve been writing ever since I was old enough to pick up a pen and put it to paper. These days I still write, but I put my fingers to the keyboard and type away furiously!
One of my biggest claims to fame is that I spent seven years working with Chris Tarrant, the presenter of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” at his management company (that’s a novel in itself) and I got to see “Millionaire” go from a format on paper called “Cash Mountain” to the world’s most successful game show format. It was a very exiting time! I have also met Patrick Duffy AKA “The Man From Atlantis” and who played Bobby Ewing in “Dallas”, the actor Brian Blessed and the actor Charlton Heston, among many other famous people and celebrities.
Today I am an award-winning cyber security specialist, writer/blogger and keynote speaker in cyber security. I love nothing more than raising awareness of the growing cyber threat by educating small businesses, SMEs and the general public about staying safe online and not falling victim to a cyber attack. I am very proud of all the awards I’ve won for my work and all the awards I’ve been a finalist for. I aim to post throught provoking content about various aspects of cyber security including women in cyber, the cyber skills gap, the latest cyber threats and attacks, bullying and harassment in cyber security (something I have been subjected to as a woman in cyber many times) and more.
I love dogs and I am the proud owner of a gorgeous German Shepherd/husky cross dog called Poppy. She is my world, my main reason for living and she is also the best therapist that I could ever wish for!
I also have some rather eclectic and strange interests. I have an almost encyclopaedic knowledge of the band Queen and Freddie Mercury, who have seen a recent resurgence due to the huge success of the film “Bohemian Rhapsody”. I love heavy metal music and I love nothing more than listening to the likes of Status Quo, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Guns n Roses….I could go on but I think you all get the idea! I am also fascinated by all things to do with nuclear war. I am addicted to anything with salted caramel in it. I love nothing more than writing – whether it be for my work or for pleasure.
I’ve been through several close bereavements since losing my much loved and much wanted son Francesco “Frankie” Enrico Ventura to stillbirth in November 2013, and I’ve experienced all kinds of grief from losing my son, losing close family members and losing beloved pets. I’ve been through significant trauma and loss throughout my life, which led me to developing CPTSD and fibromyalgia. Somehow I survived it all (note I am a survivor, not a victim), and I am moving forward with my shoulders back and my head held high with passion, humour and style….and I’m still here to tell the tale.
Despite the fact that I am an empty armed mother, that is, a woman who has given birth but who does not have any living children, I try to make the best of life. As the late great poet Maya Angelou famously said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour and some style.” I plan to try and live the rest of my life, whether long or short, by that statement.
I am #OpenlyNeurodivergent and as neurodivergent as they come! I was diagnosed with autism in 2018, and diagnosed with ADHD and BPD in January 2023. When I got my autism diagnosis I felt that it wasn’t the whole picture with me, and there were more pieces of the puzzle of what makes me me. From the moment I got my ADHD and BPD diagnosis everything made sense, especially why I am the way I am. I learnt to cover up the way I really was and put masks and sticking plasters over my behaviour to try and fit in and be “normal”, but I now accept that my brain is wired in a different way. Rather than work against that, I am learning to embrace the fact that I am austitic and have ADHD and BPD, and all they give me. They are what makes me….me.
So what is “Cyber Geek Girl”?
“Cyber Geek Girl” is a collection of cyber security content, articles, posts, reviews, interviews and more. I have also included some “fun” elements to it such as articles and blogs about films, music, TV and things I love and am passionate about. You’ll even find articles and posts about nuclear war on “Cyber Geek Girl” – don’t ask!
My aim with “Cyber Geek Girl” is to pass on interesting information, reviews, hints and tips that I have learned over the years to anyone who finds this blog. It covers many aspects of my life that I am passionate about, and it has grown and developed into a strong and informative resource, especially in cyber security and technology.
I hope you all enjoy this blog, please feel free to leave comments or feedback on my posts, I would love to hear from you.
With love,
Lisa – AKA “Cyber Geek Girl” xx