BIS employee hailed for cyber security excellence

WO (Retired) Sherry Rumbolt

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

A Base Information Services civilian employee has received national recognition for her outstanding work in cyber security.

WO (Retired) Sherry Rumbolt, a senior information security officer, was recently honoured as one of Canada’s Top Women in Cyber Security. Rumbolt was among 20 recipients selected in the inaugural award category by the magazine IT World Canada from a list of 170 nominations.

She was notified of her nomination in April. Then on June 6, anticipation transformed into excitement when she learned she would be part of the first-ever honour roll.

“I was so honoured and thrilled to get the news. I have been in this industry for 30 years. To be recognized for contributions made not only to enhance cyber security in the industry and public sector, but for all the efforts to highlight young professionals, women, and diverse groups in this field was so rewarding.”

Due to COVID-19 physical distancing measures, this year’s award ceremony was held virtually. Winners were featured in the latest edition of IT World Canada and received a certificate as part of the award. Major Lauren Banks, Deputy Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Network Operations Centre, was also recognized.

“Until recently women were often excluded from prominent roles in the cyber security industry,” said Rumbolt. “But this is changing. In the past few years, through the work of many exceptionally knowledgeable and talented women, women are finally being recognized for their efforts.”

Returning to the Forces

Rumbolt, 49, is originally from Mary’s Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador. She spent 21 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Land Communications Information Systems Technician. She entered the world of cyber security in 2004 when she joined the Canadian Forces Network Operations Centre. She retired from the military in 2011. She then worked for the Government of British Columbia for six years in a variety of cyber security positions before returning to CFB Esquimalt as a civilian employee in 2017.

Since COVID-19 sent her home to work remotely, she has a new assignment as the Defence Wide Area Network (DWAN) National Information Systems Security Officer. She helps maintain security of the DWAN through Assistant Deputy Minister (Information Management) and the Directorate of Information Security. Her role is to coordinate with stakeholders and service providers to assist in safeguarding the DWAN information and technology assets.

Working in cyber security is a career she has grown to relish. There is no typical workday as priorities and tasks are constantly changing.

“Cyber security is an ever-changing and challenging field. Technology in the form of hardware, software, information management processes, procedures and cyber threats are quite different worldwide from one day to the next,” she says. “Cyber security professionals are always working to stay on top of any situation that arises and to be sure they are protecting the assets and systems in their care.”

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