Rebecca Lois Taylor

Part of the IT Leaders 100 - a list of the most influential IT leaders in the UK in 2025.

Rebecca joined Secureworks, a Sophos Company, in 2014. Over the years she expanded her expertise across various roles and became the CTU Threat Intelligence Knowledge Manager in 2022.

In this role, she implements knowledge management processes for the Counter Threat Unit and researches on the dark web, focusing on data dumps and access brokerage.

Recognised for her contributions, Rebecca won 'Security Woman of the Year' at Computing’s Security Excellence Awards 2024.

She is an author, she mentor, STEM initiatives lead, and recently gave a TEDx talk on empowering parents to make cyber-conscious choices.

What's the most exciting part of your current role?

Diving into the world of cyber intelligence, where I get to interact with different online communities. Every day feels like solving a new mystery, and it's a great way to keep my skills sharp while indulging my love for cybersecurity.

I enjoy creating different online identities to explore forums and gather information on potential cyber threats. It's a bit like being a detective, which keeps me on my toes and makes my work really interesting. Every new piece of information feels like a small victory, and it's thrilling to connect the dots and see the bigger picture.

Plus, knowing that what I do helps keep people and companies safe from cyber threats makes my job feel really worthwhile. It's rewarding to see how my efforts help make the internet a safer place for everyone. There's a real sense of accomplishment in knowing that I'm contributing to something that has a positive impact on the digital world

What do you consider your greatest IT achievement of the last 12 months?

The successful implementation of a comprehensive knowledge management system and lexicon for our Incident Command Team and Counter Threat Unit. This system has streamlined our threat intelligence processes, making it easier for our team to collect, manage, and action information from a variety of sources, ranging from open sources to privileged data.

A key part of this achievement was standardising how we collect and manage threat intelligence, which has significantly improved our ability to respond to cyber threats in real-time. This involved not only the physical processes and tools but also creating detailed supporting documentation to ensure that every team member is on the same page.

Additionally, I played a crucial role in mentoring over a hundred women in the field of cybersecurity through various initiatives, including the 'CyberGirls' programme. This effort not only enhances diversity and inclusion within the industry but also empowers more women to enter and succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field. That tied to my new book, Securely Yours, an Agony Aunt’s Guide to Surviving Cyber, has left me with a very wholesome feeling.

What's the biggest challenge facing IT leaders today, and how are you tackling it?

Getting teams to truly understand risk and threat portfolios, and empowering individuals to be cyber conscious in the workplace. While it's easy to focus on acquiring the latest exciting cybersecurity tools and technologies, the reality is that people often remain the weakest link in any organisation's security chain.

To tackle this challenge, I'm focusing on educating and empowering people within various industries to understand their threat environment and how their behaviours can mitigate or exacerbate risks. This involves creating comprehensive training programmes and engaging workshops that demystify cybersecurity concepts, making them accessible to everyone, not just IT professionals.

Through various initiatives, including speaking engagements and training sessions, I'm working to ensure that every team member understands the importance of their role in cybersecurity. By highlighting real-world impacts and providing practical guidance, I'm helping individuals make informed and safe decisions online.

Ultimately, while tools are an important part of our cybersecurity strategy, empowering individuals with the knowledge and understanding they need to act responsibly remains a cornerstone of effective cyber defence.

What piece of technology could you not live without, and why?

My Alexa. It's more than just a gadget; it's my daily assistant that helps me manage my life with ease. From setting timers and reminders to organising my schedule and even controlling smart devices around the house, Alexa has become an indispensable part of my routine.

I rely on it to streamline my day-to-day tasks, ensuring I stay on top of everything, whether it's work-related or personal. It's like having a personal assistant that's always ready to help, making my life not only more organised but also more efficient. Alexa keeps me on track and allows me to focus on what truly matters, without the constant stress of forgetting appointments or neglecting important tasks.

What excites you most about the future of IT?

The incredible potential for technology to become more inclusive and accessible to everyone. Innovations in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning and cybersecurity are not just making our digital lives more secure but also opening doors for a wider range of people to engage with technology in meaningful ways.

As we continue to break down barriers in cybersecurity and tech, I am thrilled to see how these advancements will empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the field and make impactful contributions. The focus on inclusivity and diversity within tech excites me because it means we are seeing more voices and perspectives shaping the future, leading to more robust and innovative solutions.

What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?

While I don't think any of my jobs have been particularly strange, the one that surprises people the most is probably my experience doing a milk round and working at a dairy goods manufacturer. It's not the kind of job you hear about every day, especially in today's modern world, so it often catches people off guard!

The early mornings, the routine of delivering milk door-to-door had a certain charm and taught me the value of discipline and commitment. It's a job that might seem a bit out of the ordinary now, but it was a unique experience that added an interesting chapter to my work history.

If you could instantly master one new skill, what would it be?

It would be coding. Although I have some experience with it, I would love to finetune that skillset. Becoming proficient in coding would empower me to create and innovate in ways I can only aspire to right now.

Improving my coding skills would open up a world of possibilities, allowing me to develop my own applications, contribute more effectively to tech projects, and even automate some of my daily tasks. Enhancing this skill would be incredibly empowering, given how fundamental coding is to much of the technology we rely on today.