Read about Antoinette Diab Makhoul

What brought you to a career in technology at the United Nations?

I received an offer from the ESCWA Cyber Security Team Manager after my CV was reviewed in the Inspira roster. At the time, it was a significant opportunity for me, as it would allow me to enhance my experience and improve my skills in the field. Being part of a UN entity, I was confident that this opportunity would offer more than any other organization, helping me prove myself and strengthen my career. The chance to learn from colleagues with diverse international experiences was invaluable, particularly as the work involves individuals from all nations. Additionally, at the UN, I always have the opportunity to continue learning through training sessions and contributions to international observances.

What has been your favorite technology project or initiative at the United Nations and why? What was your contribution?

My favorite technology project was developing the risk register for the ESCWA ICT team, which was a recommendation from the OICT audit. I initiated this project from scratch, incorporating all necessary cases and their appropriate risk percentages, solutions, impacts, and other related fields. I also provided clear explanations on how to calculate the risk and its impact on the ESCWA environment. I successfully completed the project within the given timeline, all while managing other tasks, such as investigating ICT issues like phishing emails and suspicious activities.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?

To all the women of the new generation: Don’t be afraid to seize any opportunity or dive deep into the technology field. It’s a dynamic and ever-evolving space where there’s always something new to learn—especially in cybersecurity, there’s never a stop. We must continuously learn, research and attend seminars and trainings to stay up to date. Cybersecurity is a challenging and rewarding field that constantly pushes you to grow and improve your skills. It’s a critical area that will never lose its relevance—new threats emerge constantly, and attackers are always finding new ways to harm organizations. It’s up to us, as cybersecurity professionals, to find solutions and develop strategies to minimize those risks, as we are the first line of defense.

To all the women out there, take the leap and empower yourselves in this field—and in any other. Always remember, that you are stronger than you think, and with your intelligence and wisdom, you can conquer any task. Go ahead and shine bright like a diamond!