Her Story
About Alisha
Alisha Smith, CCP, is a Cybersecurity Consultant with expertise in cybersecurity engineering, SOC operations, and regulatory compliance within the CMMC ecosystem. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity Engineering from Colorado Technical University and has built a strong professional foundation in securing systems, supporting compliance initiatives, and helping organizations strengthen their overall security posture. Her work focuses on ensuring data integrity, operational resilience, and adherence to industry and government security standards.
Her journey into cybersecurity began with a lifelong curiosity for technology and problem-solving, starting in childhood when she developed an interest in building computers and understanding how systems function. Over time, this evolved into a deeper focus on cybersecurity after recognizing the increasing importance of digital safety and witnessing early exposure to security vulnerabilities. Although her path included periods outside the field, she consistently returned to cybersecurity, ultimately pursuing formal education, earning her degree, and building her career through networking, certifications, and continuous professional development. She is also a Certified CMMC Professional (CCP), contributing to compliance and assessment efforts that support secure and regulated environments.
Before transitioning into cybersecurity, Alisha gained diverse professional experience across multiple industries that strengthened her communication and analytical skills. She earned a liberal arts degree in sociology and later became a licensed optician after completing specialized training in New Jersey, where she developed a talent for simplifying complex information for clients. She also worked as a licensed insurance agent with USAA, holding credentials across all 50 U.S. states as well as Guam, China, and Germany. These varied experiences shaped her ability to translate technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance. Outside of her professional life, she relocated to Colorado, where she built a life with her wife and their four rescue dogs, embracing both personal growth and community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alisha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to never taking no for an answer when it doesn't make sense. When someone says 'No, you can't do that because you're a girl,' I ask why. Why can't I do that? Why can't I be in that field? If a bunch of boys can do it, I can do it too. I just don't accept limitations that don't have a real basis, especially when they're based on gender stereotypes.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to just don't stop. It's going to sound cliche, but don't stop at it. For example, I failed my CCP two other times before achieving it the third time. The mental battle you go through is intense because it's not only emotionally draining, you have to pay for the test each time and it's like a thousand dollars. So failing three times really tests you. But the advice was just don't give up, because you can do it. You just have to keep doing it. When you try it once, okay, now you have the experience. You try it again, okay, now you have more experience plus you know the methods. You know, you can focus on what it really is. And then the third time, if you don't get it, maybe try again, or maybe it's time for you to try in a different way. But the key is to never stop.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
In this industry, I would say be tenacious. You've got to show your personality, because this field is more than just coding and knowing how to do a certain thing a certain way. It's about how you can talk to somebody in addition to knowing what you know. If you know how to talk to someone and you know how to code, you're five steps ahead of everybody else, because most people in the field do not know how to talk to people. And that's what the barrier is a lot of the time. They don't know what to ask and they don't know how to ask it, so there's a lot of gray matter when you're trying to help people, and then they just go with the most familiar thing without ever hearing you. So communication skills combined with technical knowledge will set you apart.
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