Celebrating women in tech: Rama and Elizabeth’s stories
We recently spoke to 2 of our cyber security graduates, Rama and Elizabeth, about their career journeys and their experience working in technology at DVLA.
Rama and Elizabeth joined DVLA’s 2-year cyber security graduate programme in 2024. Today, both are in permanent roles – Rama is an Operational Security Analyst and Elizabeth is a Security Operations Centre Specialist.
The journey into cyber security
What first sparked your interest in cyber security?
Rama: My interest started when I learned about how organisations protect sensitive data and systems from threats. I was particularly drawn to the investigative and problem-solving aspect of the job.
Elizabeth: My interest developed during my MSc in Computer Forensics, where I studied both digital investigations and cyber security concepts. I was drawn to the proactive side of protecting systems, preventing incidents rather than analysing them afterwards.
Did you face any doubts when considering a cyber career?
Rama: Yes, initially I doubted whether I had the technical background needed to succeed in cyber security. It seemed complex and intimidating, especially coming from a non-technical background!
Elizabeth: I did doubt if I was experienced enough. Cyber security is a broad and fast-moving field, and it can feel intimidating, especially as a woman! Even with a master’s degree and experience within forensic investigation, I’d still come across preconceived ideas about what someone in cyber security ‘should’ be like.
Thankfully, when we joined the graduate programme at DVLA, we found a supportive learning environment which helped build our confidence. It was encouraging to see other women working in tech, and seeing them succeeding within a supportive working environment felt very reassuring.
How did the graduate programme prepare you for your current role?
Rama: It gave me a strong foundation to build both my technical and soft skills. The structured learning, hands-on experience, and exposure to real security challenges made the transition to a permanent role much smoother.
Elizabeth: The programme helped me transition from an investigative background into a security operations environment. It strengthened my understanding of threat detection, monitoring tools, and incident response processes.
Women in cyber security
What has your experience been like building your career in this field?
Rama: Being a woman in cyber security has been both empowering and motivating, and I’ve found DVLA to be inclusive and supportive. It’s encouraging to see growing diversity and opportunities for women to thrive.
Elizabeth: It’s positive to see more women entering cyber security. Women are just as capable as anyone else, and success comes down to skills, curiosity, and attitude. As with any profession, you may come across individuals who underestimate you or communicate in a way that feels discouraging, but at DVLA I’ve found the culture to be supportive and inclusive. There’s a strong focus on collaboration, which helps create an environment where everyone can grow in confidence.
What would you say to other women considering DVLA’s graduate programme?
Rama: Don’t let doubts hold you back. The graduate programme provides the support and training you need to grow and succeed. If you’re curious, motivated, and open to learning, it’s a great opportunity to build a meaningful and rewarding career.
Elizabeth: Go for it, even if you don’t feel completely ready. You don’t need to know everything before you start. The programme is designed to support your growth.
Looking ahead
How do you see your career developing in the next 5 years?
Rama: I see myself developing my technical knowledge and strengthening my expertise in areas like governance, risk management, and security practices. I aim to continue learning through professional development, gaining certifications, and staying up to date with emerging cyber threats.
Alongside this, supporting other women entering the technology and cyber security field is important to me. As my experience and skills grow, I would like to be able to support women who are earlier in their careers by sharing my experience, speaking about pathways into cyber security and acting as a role model. I hope to encourage more women to consider careers in the field and help create a more diverse and inclusive industry.
Elizabeth: I’d like to continue developing my expertise in cyber security and build confidence in the field. As I develop my skills, I’d love to play a part in encouraging more women to consider careers in tech. It’s important to me that women feel supported entering the industry and see that there are opportunities to progress and thrive.
Interested in following in Rama and Elizabeth’s footsteps? DVLA’s 2026 Centre of Digital Excellence development programmes will launch this spring. Sign up for Civil Service Jobs today and get ready to apply.