TCS cybersecurity head Virginia Lee discusses career paths and industry changes

Virginia Lee, head of cybersecurity Ireland at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), says she entered the sector by accident after joining the firm as an automation engineer.

Lee explained that working on a security‑related product revealed a blend of technology, problem‑solving, continuous learning and diverse teamwork that appealed to her, leading to a move into dedicated cybersecurity roles.

She noted that cybersecurity has shifted from a specialist IT function to a board‑level priority, with cyber risk now seen as a business risk affecting operations, reputation and customer trust.

According to Lee, the threat landscape has grown more sophisticated, driven by cloud adoption, digital transformation and the rapid emergence of AI, requiring professionals who can both provide technical expertise and communicate risk clearly across business units.

Lee highlighted a talent shortage in specialist areas such as threat hunting and incident management, and called for broader hiring practices that value curiosity and willingness to learn over specific academic backgrounds.

She advocated for more accessible entry points, including graduate schemes, apprenticeships and structured retraining programmes, to address the industry’s talent bottleneck and support career changers.

Source: Silicon Republic. Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels.