Role Model of the Month (4/2026) Janika Kajander

• Who: Janika Kajander, Cybersecurity Consultant at Elisa and Director Of Operations at Women4Cyber Finland.
  

• Educational background: Media assistant studies (2005, first career), Bachelor of Business and Administration in Business Information Technology.
  

• Professional interests: Exploring different areas and the continuous learning required in the field

“I’d rather explore many areas first and understand the bigger picture before choosing what to specialize in.”

• Hobbies: Volunteer work in communities, partaking and organizing events and going to her favourite bands' concerts.
  

• Motto: "Everything it okay, the danger is already over" from the song "Bloggaajan päivä" by Tuomas Skopa (- "Kaikki on ok, vaara on ohi jo.")

  
  

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From Software production studies to Cybersecurity Consultant

Janika’s journey into cybersecurity began while she was studying software production. Early on she realized that traditional programming was not quite the right fit for her, which led her to explore other directions within technology.

During her second year of studies, she went on exchange to Germany. At the university there, she had the opportunity to replace some of her programming courses with cybersecurity-related courses, which sparked her interest in the field.

“I realized quite early that programming alone wasn’t my thing, but I still knew I wanted to stay in tech.”

She later completed an internship in data analytics. Around the same time, she had started working on her thesis and initially planned to build a lab environment to support it. She had already begun setting it up, but her career path took a different turn when she later found an opportunity to work as a digital identity analyst then moved forward to be a SOC analyst.

From there she became interested in SOC environments and gradually transitioned into roles that broadened her experience across different areas of cybersecurity, eventually leading to her current position as a cybersecurity consultant.

“What makes this work interesting is that every customer and every project is different.”

In this position, one of the aspects she enjoys the most is working closely with customers. Each day can bring new conversations and perspectives, and she finds it interesting to learn what different organizations are looking for in cybersecurity services or projects. The variety of projects and the opportunity to collaborate with many different people keeps the work interesting.

“There is always more to learn in cybersecurity, and sometimes the hardest part is keeping up.”

However, one challenge she faces in cybersecurity is keeping up with the constantly growing amount of new information and developments in the field. In fast-paced situations, it can also be challenging to quickly gather the right information and understand what the customer needs while assessing the situation from a broader security perspective.

She also notes that public speaking can sometimes feel stressful. Presentations are an important part of the work, but they can still bring a fair amount of nervousness.

A community as part of her professional journey and a tool for more diversity

One of the most meaningful aspects of her professional journey has been contributing to the work of Women4Cyber Finland.

Over time, she has supported initiatives that strengthen collaboration, visibility, and community within the cybersecurity field. She currently is a member of the board in Women4Cyber Finland and contributes to communications, social media, and event organization through her volunteer work as a director of operations and social media team member.

Janika sees that her most significant achievement in the cybersecurity field has been about being able to contribute to a broader collective effort that brings people together, supports knowledge sharing, and helps foster a more inclusive cybersecurity community.

She believes diversity in cybersecurity can be strengthened through visibility, community building, and outreach. Initiatives such as Women4Cyber Finland play an important role by highlighting role models, creating supportive networks, and making the field more approachable through events, articles, and social media.

At the same time, she believes awareness should begin early. Introducing cybersecurity and different technology careers already in primary school could help young people discover interests and opportunities before making educational choices, which may help build a more diverse and inclusive field over time.

Inequality needs to be recognized and addressed when it happens

Her overall experiences in the field have largely been positive, and she describes herself as fortunate not to have personally encountered major issues related to inequality in her workplace.

“I have experienced harassment at events, and I believe it’s important that these situations are always taken seriously and reported.”

However, she notes that she has personally experienced harassment at events. In those situations, the matter was brought to the attention of event staff so that it could be handled appropriately. She emphasizes that situations like these should always be taken seriously and that people should not hesitate to report them to organizers or responsible staff members.

While her own workplace experiences have been positive, she is also aware that challenges still exist in the industry. She has heard about cases where people have experienced both harassment at events and discrimination in workplace environments, which highlights the importance of continuing to address these issues openly.

“If something happens, you should never hesitate to report it you are not alone, and it will always be taken seriously.”

At the same time, she feels encouraged by the growing number of women entering the field and the increasing visibility of women professionals at cybersecurity events. While reaching balance will take time, she believes the field is moving in the right direction.

Her advice for those aiming to enter the field or interested in it

She encourages people interested in cybersecurity to stay curious and explore different areas of the field. Community events such as local security meetups, conferences, or volunteering in initiatives can be valuable opportunities to learn from others and gain perspective on different career paths.

She also notes that while certifications and platforms such as Hack The Box can be useful learning tools, they should not define a person’s value. It is possible to grow and succeed in cybersecurity without feeling pressure to constantly compete or spend all of one’s time on capture-the-flag challenges.

“Go to events and network, you don’t have to do this alone.”

She encourages readers to stay open to learning and to support each other within the community. Cybersecurity is a field where people often grow through collaboration and shared knowledge.

For those who may feel unsure about participating in events, she also reminds that communities can often be joined online. Platforms such as Discord can offer an accessible way to follow discussions, ask questions, and gradually become part of the cybersecurity community.

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Picture: Janika Kajander

Text: Roosa Yöruusu, W4CFI Articles