Women of Ontinue: Meet Meena Rajendran

At Ontinue, we know that cybersecurity isn’t just about technology – it’s about the people behind it. We’re celebrating the incredible women of Ontinue who are shaping the future of cybersecurity. Throughout this series, you’ll hear directly from them about their career journeys, the challenges they’ve tackled, the advice they have for aspiring professionals, and what excites them most about this industry.

Each week, we’ll spotlight a different woman in cybersecurity, sharing her unique perspective and leadership. Join us as we highlight the voices driving change, innovation, and excellence in our field.

This week, we’re spotlighting Meena Rajendran.

What does a typical day in your role at Ontinue look like? 

I lead continuous improvement for security operations, which means no two days are exactly the same—and I love that. I’m usually bouncing between helping analysts with investigations, supporting cyber advisors as they work with customers, and collaborating with the automation team to improve our workflows. Whether it’s refining playbooks to enable faster incident response or enhancing how incidents are enriched for triage, I’m always working to make things more efficient. I also focus on making sure analysts have the training and resources they need—from processes to technical knowledge—and I regularly review their work to support growth and consistency. My role touches people, tools, and data all at once, which keeps things dynamic. But what I really enjoy most is anything that has a “figuring things out” vibe—those challenges that require digging in, thinking creatively, and improving how we do things.

What is one challenge you’ve faced in your cybersecurity career, and how did you overcome it? 

One of the most defining challenges was early in my career, around 14 years ago, when I worked night shifts as an analyst. At that time, the cybersecurity space wasn’t as mature, and resources weren’t as readily available—or accessible during those hours. It often felt isolating, especially as I was one of the very few (often the only) women on the team. I wasn’t always taken seriously until I proved I deserved to be. That experience was tough but pivotal.

I leaned heavily on self-learning—googling, reading, and consuming everything I could about whatever issue I was facing. But I also never hesitated to ask questions when I could. That willingness to admit I didn’t know something and then go figure it out has stayed with me to this day.

Looking back, that period really built my confidence. It taught me to trust my skills, speak up, and never shy away from learning—no matter how experienced I get. 

What advice would you give to women who are considering a career in cybersecurity?

If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be: don’t hesitate to ask questions. I grew up in a culture where women weren’t exactly encouraged to question things, and that mindset took time to break. But asking questions is how you learn, how you grow, and how you build confidence in this field.

Another big myth I hear a lot—especially lately—is that AI will replace cybersecurity jobs. I don’t believe that for a second. AI will enhance what we do, speed things up, make us more efficient—but it’s not replacing human thinking, context, or creativity anytime soon. Not in this space.

One thing that’s really helped me succeed over the years is connecting with people—networking, sharing stories, learning from others’ experiences. I’ve been part of Microsoft’s Women in Cybersecurity community and even participated as a speaker. The conversations we have there—the honesty, the encouragement—it really makes a difference.

Is there a person—mentor, leader, or peer—who has had a significant impact on your career? How did they influence you? 

I’ve been fortunate to have worked with teams that supported, recognized, and challenged me throughout my career. It really shifted once I broke out of my “don’t speak up” habit—I realized how much people want to help when you’re honest and open.

One person who stands out is Gareth Lindahl-Wise, who mentored me as I was growing into more management and leadership responsibilities. He taught me things that still stick with me today: take a breather before presenting, always stick to the facts, and tailor your message to your audience—no deep tech talk with execs, focus on what matters to them. His guidance gave me the confidence to own the room, stay grounded, and lead with clarity.

What excites you the most about the future of cybersecurity and your role in it? 

I’m genuinely excited about the rise of Automation. AI has become a bit of a buzzword, but the real work happening behind the scenes is where the magic is. At Ontinue, I get to work closely with the team building those capabilities, and seeing how AI can reduce the burden on analysts—who are truly the first line of defense—is incredibly rewarding.

Looking ahead, I see my role as someone who bridges experience with mentorship. I want to support the next generation of cyber professionals by sharing what I’ve learned over the past 14 years, while continuing to stay hands-on and technically involved. I’m big on focusing on prevention over just response, and that mindset is only going to grow in importance.

The field is definitely getting more dynamic—and more inclusive, too. Attackers are getting smarter, and AI gives them more tools as well, which means the challenge gets bigger. But that’s what drives me. My curiosity thrives on change, and cybersecurity never stands still. That’s exactly what keeps me going.

Let’s build the future of cybersecurity together!