Breaking In, Not Breaking Things: A Security Journey Built on Curiosity

When people imagine a career in security, they often picture someone who took a traditional route: a computer science degree, years of technical training, maybe a childhood spent taking things apart. That’s not how Ângela Gonçalves’ story begins.

For Ângela, the path looked different. There was no set roadmap, no formal background in cybersecurity. What she did have was curiosity and the determination to keep asking questions until things started to make sense.

“I didn’t follow the typical path,” Ângela says. “But I came in with genuine passion and I never stopped learning.”

Starting somewhere else

Ângela’s journey into security didn’t begin with a fixed goal. It started with interest. Drawn to the world of problem-solving, systems thinking, and risk awareness, she found herself gravitating toward the kinds of challenges security presents, often without even realising it.

Without a traditional technical background, she built her knowledge piece by piece. That meant reading, experimenting, watching talks, and connecting with people who could help her break things down. It wasn’t about checking all the boxes. It was about understanding the why and then the how.

Because I didn’t come in with all the answers, I focused on the fundamentals. What’s the real risk? What are we trying to protect? How can we make security part of how people work not a barrier?

Security isn’t a black box

Ângela didn’t come up through the usual security routes, so she figured things out in her own way and learned how to explain them just as clearly. That’s exactly what makes her so effective today. While some viewed security as abstract or overly technical, Ângela focused on clarity, context, and communication.

A frequent misconception is that security is a mysterious, complex black box filled with abstract theories. I focus on demystifying security by breaking down concepts and demonstrating their real-world value.

Instead of leading with rules and restrictions, Ângela starts with dialogue and trust. When working with product teams, she prioritises open communication and shared understanding. It’s not about slowing teams down, it’s about supporting them in a way that makes security part of the process, not a last-minute fix.

By collaborating closely, we find a middle ground that prioritises critical security needs while respecting delivery timelines. This approach helps ensure security is integrated thoughtfully, not forced, and that teams feel supported rather than burdened.

Her goal isn’t to be the blocker. It’s to be the bridge.

Change happens quietly, and then all at once

Security isn’t built overnight and neither is trust. Ângela knows this better than anyone. When introducing new security improvements, she doesn’t expect immediate buy-in. Instead, she focuses on steady progress and showing value through action.

Trust is built over time through consistent progress and transparency. When teams see tangible improvements in their processes and outcomes, as a result of better security practices, their confidence grows.

That’s when the shift happens: people move from skepticism to curiosity. They start asking questions, suggesting improvements, even taking ownership. And for Ângela, that’s the win.

But sometimes, it’s the smallest habits that make the biggest difference. When asked about what teams often overlook, she didn’t hesitate:

Passwords, passwords, passwords. People still want to have easy-to-remember passwords, often leaving them lying around. Using strong, well-protected passwords is a crucial step toward better security.

In Ângela’s perspective, security isn’t just about systems, it’s about mindset. And that mindset is built on one conversation, one habit, and one shared success at a time.

There’s more than one way in

Ângela didn’t set out to work in security but curiosity kept pulling her closer. What started as a personal interest turned into a career built on listening, learning, and showing others that security isn’t something to be afraid of.

You don’t need to tick every box to start. If you’re curious, willing to learn, and care about protecting what matters there’s absolutely space for you in security.

She doesn’t pretend to have all the answers. But she knows the value of asking the right questions and helping teams ask their own.