Tag: women in tech

Her Story – Celebrating the Women at Soteria Cloud

Meet Santie Jooste

Regional Account Manager – Partner Services and Relationship Management, Soteria Cloud

Women are making big strides in SA’s tech industry, changing perceptions in an industry that has been long overdue for gender transformation. As we celebrate women in tech this month, we’d love to introduce our readers to Santie Jooste, our superstar Regional Account Manager. 

Santie combines her strong background in customer service and relationship management with a passion for helping our clients safeguard their data. 

Let’s get to know Santie better and find out what drives her passion for data protection.

A passion for people and protecting their data

As a valued member of our team, Santie works with organisations across the country to match them with cloud backup and recovery solutions that are secure, reliable, and tailored to their needs.

  • With mounting experience in the fast-paced tech industry, Santie has embraced the challenges and opportunities of working in data protection. 
  • What sets her apart is her curiosity and eagerness to learn. These qualities allow her to adapt quickly in a field that is constantly evolving. 

For Santie, protecting data goes beyond business requirements:  it’s her personal mission.

She views her role as not just protecting information, but also safeguarding the livelihoods and trust of the clients she serves.
Her philosophy is simple: stay curious, learn every day, and never shy away from asking questions, no matter how big or small. 

This mindset has enabled her to excellent meaningful client relationships and to deliver cyber protection solutions powered by Acronis that balance technical strength with practical application.

Another dynamic woman transforming cybersecurity in SA

Along with her passion for client relationships, Santie also takes pride in being part of an industry where women are increasingly making their mark in IT and cybersecurity. 

For professions like her, Women’s Month is a reminder that diverse voices strengthen the sector and open up new ways of solving problems at a time when data is the new gold and security solutions are critically important. 

A positive approach to life and work 

Outside of work, Santie brings the same energy and warmth to her personal life. She enjoys perfecting her coffee skills, has a knack for turning “just checking emails” into an hour-long project, and is always ready to laugh, even if it’s at her own expense and her own jokes.

By blending professionalism with approachability, Santie continues to make a difference for our clients and the broader tech community in South Africa. 

Ready to protect your data? Let our team guide you

If you’re searching for a comprehensive backup or data protection solution for your business, we’d love to connect with you. Contact us using the button below and our dedicated team members will guide you at every step of the process. 

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Celebrating the Women at Soteria Cloud

Meet Leigh Naudé: Driving Relationships and Resilience 

At Soteria Cloud, we pride ourselves on providing world-class secure cloud storage, advanced backup solutions, and managed data protection services. But behind every great solution is a team of passionate people dedicated to making it work for our customers. 

This women’s month, we’re spotlighting one of the key forces behind our sales and customer relationships, Leigh Naudé, whose energy and drive have made her an indispensable part of our mission.

Two decades of industry excellence 

Leigh’s journey in technology started at just 18, when she joined BCX as an intern. It was there that her career truly took off, guided by the mentorship of industry professionals who recognised her potential early on. 

Among them was Christine Bergmann, a Microsoft Licensing Specialist who helped shape Leigh’s skills and mindset for success. “She took me under her wing and taught me not only the technical knowledge but the confidence to grow in this industry,” Leigh fondly recalls. 

Other influential figures include her mother, Elaine Meyer, an IT trailblazer in her own right, and Seshni Gafoor, Distribution Account Manager for Africa at Acronis, whose passion for empowering women in tech continues to inspire Leigh today.

  • Over 21 years later, Leigh has built an impressive track record in managing strategic accounts and nurturing long-term client partnerships. 
  • Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: people buy from people. 

In a fast-moving, high-stakes field such as women in cybersecurity, Leigh understands that trust is just as vital as technology: “I don’t enjoy working in silos. Collaboration and relationship-building are what get results”. 

It’s an approach that has earned her not just clients, but fans and advocates, many of whom have stayed with us for years.

A professional with cutting edge knowledge to protect your business 

Leigh is deeply aware of the urgency of cybersecurity in today’s business environment. 

  • With threats evolving daily and even AI now enabling Ransomware as a Service on the dark web, she’s firmly against a reactive approach. 
  • Leigh’s favourite cybersecurity analogy is drawn from the daily commute: “It’s like driving without a seatbelt and no insurance. You might be fine for a while, but when disaster strikes, it’s too late to protect yourself,”. 

This belief in proactive protection drives her conversations with customers, where she helps them understand the importance of not just backing up data, but securing it against every possible risk.

A passionate leader who champions  work-life balance 

Outside of work, Leigh brings the same enthusiasm to family life, often singing (a hidden talent from her younger days) to her children and husband. 

Whether she’s closing a deal, sharing a laugh over coffee and chocolate, or strategising with colleagues, Leigh embodies the energy, commitment, and human connection that set Soteria Cloud apart. 

Ready to secure your data? let our team guide you 

If Leigh’s story has inspired you – and we know it has – we’d love you to experience our warmth, motivation, and professionalism first hand. 
Contact our team today or click the button below to view our range of backups solutions. 

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Celebrating the Women Reshaping Cybersecurity

Celebrating the Women Who Are Reshaping the Future of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has gone from being the realm of back-end teams and technical specialists to a board-level priority. As companies recognise that data protection is integral to business continuity and long-term strategy, especially as the threat landscape evolves, women are playing a prominent role in the sector’s future.

In South Africa National Women’s Day is observed on 9 August to mark the anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, to protest against the apartheid pass laws. Women’s Month serves as a time to acknowledge and honour the contributions of women to society and to acknowledge the ongoing fight for gender equality. 

This Women’s Month, we celebrate the growing presence of South African women in cybersecurity: an area that’s becoming essential to how businesses operate in a digital-first economy.

Women currently represent around 25% of the continents’ cybersecurity workforce, contributing a mere 9% of South Africa’s cybersecurity workforce, although that number is beginning to increase thanks to skills initiatives, mentorship programs, and the rising visibility of female leaders in the field.

At a time when cybercrime is becoming more complex and relentless, a sector that’s diverse, highly skilled, and at the cutting edge has never been more important. Women are leading the charge to make the sector one of the best global examples of its kind.

Diverse Talent Drives Digital Transformation

South African businesses are rapidly adopting AI, automation, and cloud-first solutions to improve agility and scale. But with this transformation come both risks and opportunities.

  • Cybercriminals are now leveraging AI just as quickly as legitimate businesses are, developing faster, more convincing phishing scams and launching AI-powered malware at scale.
  • As these threats grow in complexity, so does the demand for professionals who can understand, predict, and prevent them. That’s why growing the local cybersecurity talent pool with the inclusion of more women is becoming a strategic priority.

Forward-thinking companies are already rising to the challenge. As early as 2023 SAP Africa was already pushing to achieve gender parity across its workforce, while organisations like SEACOM are investing in certification and leadership pathways specifically for women in tech.

These great initiatives are helping to ensure gender equity and nurture the skills South Africa needs to secure its digital infrastructure in the long term.

The Acronis Advantage: Supporting Progress Through Partnership

In a 2024 global survey, 71% of women in IT reported working longer hours in a clear sign of the dedication many bring to the profession. Respondents cited career advancement as their primary motivator and with the right support, training, mentorship, and visibility, that dedication is being rewarded with opportunity.

As an Acronis partner, we’re proud to stand behind a platform that not only offers cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions but also actively supports women in tech. By aligning with initiatives that raise the profile of female professionals in cybersecurity, we help build inclusive, sustainable ecosystems for our clients.

Bridge the Gap with Smarter Cybersecurity

Most businesses can’t afford to spend years building internal cybersecurity teams. At the same time, the cost of inaction is rising fast.

That’s why partnering with a secure cloud storage provider backed by Acronis technology is the best strategy. Your business and clients will enjoy the benefits of enterprise-grade cybersecurity, paired with the flexibility and scalability you need – all without the overhead of managing complex software yourself.

Our integrated security offering includes:

  • Access to the latest threat detection and prevention tools
  • Around-the-clock monitoring and rapid response
  • Flexibility to scale as your business grows
  • Cost-effective access to premium cybersecurity through Acronis
  • Peace of mind knowing your data is protected by expert

Celebrate Progress. Secure the Future

This Women’s Month, we recognise our expert team of women here at Soteria alongside the South African women who are all shaping the future of cybersecurity: one secure system at a time. Their expertise, perspective, and resilience are key to building digital systems that are not only more secure, but more inclusive.

If your business is ready to take the next step in cybersecurity and data protection, browse our full range of solutions and discover how easy it is to protect your crucial files and customer data.

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