In addition to her stellar work to ensure application and cloud security for clients across industries, Kelly Onu works to secure technology’s future by mentoring ambitious students and young professionals from all walks of life.
Onu’s own experiences as a mentee helped her to sharpen her technical expertise, navigate challenges, and develop as a leader.
Today, she pays those benefits forward through active involvement in organizations such as IEEE, Women in Security and Privacy, and the International Information System Security Certification Consortium.
In addition to her work as an AppSec consultant, Onu serves on TechShift’s Board of Directors and is a host of the IEEE WIE STEM podcast. She is also one of Computing’s Top 30 Early Career Professionals for 2024.
In the following Q&A, Onu describes
How she began her advocacy work for inclusion in STEM early in her education, including serving on the board of Women in Computer Science while a student at Florida International University.
The proactive measures she implemented at Sage Software to strengthen the company’s immediate security and build long-term resilience.
How introducing real-time monitoring of exposed secrets on a client’s application-security project significantly reduced data leak risks—and set the client up for a high-profile merger with a global financial services company.
The surprising source of her biggest career-defining moments and why she continues to learn, adapt, upskill, and pursue certifications.
How did the Student Government Association Residential Scholarship support your academic journey, and what were some key achievements during your time at Florida International University (FIU)?
... continue reading