Valentine Couture: Putting out cyber fires

For the RightBrains I am feature, we delve into the everyday lives of women in digital technology to learn more about what you can expect when you enter a specific niche or designation. Valentine Couture, co-founder of WICCA (one of the partners in the RightBrains United Network), tells us more about security engineering and how she stays up to date on all things cybersecurity.

Can you tell us a bit about your role and what a typical workday looks like?

I’m a staff security engineer working in incident response, which means I put out cyber fires multiple times a day. A typical day is roughly 20% engineering work, mostly building automation to make life easier for me and my team, 50% response and digital investigations, 10% meetings that could have been a Slack message, and 20% scratching my head trying to solve the unsolvable.

What inspired you to pursue a career in digital technology?

I originally wanted to become a video game designer because I said to myself that I would work on the next Assassin's Creed one day, so I started studying computer science. Five years and a Master's degree later, I got a job in cybersecurity instead. I still hope to be part of a game production one day, maybe as a writer — who knows?

What part of your work do you find most exciting or fulfilling?

When something really bad happens, diving into the logs to figure out what actually went down and piecing together a timeline can be surprisingly satisfying — especially when you end up with a detailed, gripping story to tell.

How do you stay up to date in such a fast-moving industry?

Honestly? Social media. Tons of cybersecurity content pops up there — new exploits, tools, threat intel feeds, and the occasional spicy hot take. It's chaotic, but if you follow the right people, it's a goldmine.

What was the biggest turning point or learning moment in your career so far?

Realising that the so-called “elite” doesn’t really exist. Most people are figuring things out as they go, and everyone has moments of doubt. We're all just doing our best and often, just winging it.

What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about your field?

That it’s purely technical and we’re just keyboard-smashing in isolation somewhere in a dark corner. In reality, cybersecurity is incredibly diverse. I work with people from all kinds of backgrounds: legal, marketing, development, communications, product, other security teams, and even C-level execs at times. It’s as much about collaboration as it is about tech.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your job?

Most of the time, what we see is actually pretty benign. But then there’s that one moment where the fate of the entire company is on the line. So… you know… no pressure!

What excites you about the future of your field?

I’m excited to see what new tools all that AI nonsense (and maybe the good parts thereof) will bring.

What do you hope to see change in the tech industry in the next 5–10 years?

Sometimes cybersecurity feels like just ticking boxes. I hope we can move toward more genuine decision-making — thinking critically about real threats and how best to protect ourselves, rather than just following a checklist.

How do you support or uplift other women in tech?

I run Women in Cybersecurity Community Association (WICCA), a community of around 1,400 people focused on putting women and their achievements in the spotlight. We host monthly meetups and now also run our own conference called WICCON. It’s a space we created to learn from and with each other — also sharing career advice, tips to break into cybersecurity, and ways to grow your skills and confidence in the field.

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room to succeed — just make sure you’ve got the right people around you!