A powerful journey of faith, resilience, and leadership in cybersecurity, following a Ghanaian woman's transformation from facing family hardships to becoming a influential professional, while balancing motherhood and mentoring others in the tech industry.
Her Story
About Deborah
Deborah Narh, CISM is an accomplished cybersecurity professional with a specialized focus in cloud security, IT risk management, governance, and compliance. With over a decade of experience in both public and private sectors, Deborah has led initiatives to develop and implement security frameworks aligned with industry standards such as NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. She currently serves as a Governance, Risk, and Compliance Analyst at the Clark County School District, where she plays a critical role in safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Deborah holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Ghana. Her diverse background allows her to bring both technical and behavioral insights to her work, enhancing her ability to manage risk and influence organizational change. Prior to joining the school district, she held key cybersecurity roles at GoHealth, Credit One Bank, and CDW, where she successfully led projects involving vulnerability assessments, policy development, and third-party risk management.
Beyond her professional achievements, Deborah is a passionate advocate for ethical technology use and education. She currently volunteers with ISACA as a Global Achievement Award Reviewer, supporting excellence in cybersecurity leadership worldwide. Known for her integrity, strategic mindset, and collaborative approach, Deborah remains dedicated to advancing secure digital environments and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Deborah
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a clear focus on building experience and continuously evolving within the field of cybersecurity. I began my career in desktop support, where I identified a need for efficiency and created a guide to address common technical issues — an initiative that significantly reduced help desk calls. That proactive mindset carried through as I earned my Security+ certification and transitioned into roles as an information security analyst, system administrator, and ultimately a security and compliance analyst. Over time, my interests shifted from purely technical problem-solving to understanding and applying regulatory frameworks across sectors like finance, healthcare, and education. What’s driven my growth is the desire to contribute at a strategic level — protecting organizations through thoughtful governance, risk management, and compliance.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to stay consistent with my passion and area of expertise, rather than trying to be a jack-of-all-trades. By focusing deeply on what I love and committing to mastering it, I’ve been able to grow into a true expert in my field. That consistency has been key to building credibility, opening new opportunities, and making a meaningful impact.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the cybersecurity and compliance field is to develop a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and always be willing to take a deep dive into the details. Success in this industry comes from hard work, persistence, and a genuine passion for protecting systems and data. Stay curious, stay focused, and never stop learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the cybersecurity field right now is the growing gap between job titles and actual opportunities—especially for analyst roles. While there may appear to be many openings, not all positions offer meaningful growth or align with long-term goals. The focus should be on roles that provide real impact, skill development, and career advancement—not just checking a title off the list. The opportunity lies in finding positions that truly challenge you and allow you to contribute to broader organizational security objectives.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are integrity, accountability, and impact. I take pride in being able to work well under pressure and stay organized, especially when it comes to high-stakes responsibilities like pre-audit preparation or improving security posture. One of my most meaningful accomplishments was reviving and implementing a long-delayed security awareness program—something our CIO had been eager to see launched. Knowing that my efforts have helped organizations avoid costly fines and strengthen their overall security is what motivates me to continue making a difference.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Deborah
Walking in Faith and Leading in Cybersecurity: My Journey as an Influential Woman
From Faith and Resilience to Cybersecurity Leadership: A Ghanaian Woman's Journey of Transformation and Purpose
When I reflect on my life, I see a story built on faith, resilience, and courage. Growing up in Ghana, I watched my family face unimaginable challenges. My father’s stroke left him disabled, and my mother’s health battles tested us in every way. But I also witnessed miracles—moments when faith turned despair into hope, and prayer brought healing against all odds. Those experiences planted in me an unshakable belief: no matter the struggle, with God, discipline, and perseverance, transformation is possible.
That lesson carried me years later, when, as a mother of two toddlers, I made the decision to return to school. It was 2020, a year already filled with uncertainty, but something inside me refused to settle. I wanted to build a future that honored my children, my faith, and my calling. Balancing motherhood, late-night studies, and a demanding schedule wasn’t easy. But it was worth every sacrifice. Earning my Master of Science in Cybersecurity became not just an academic achievement but a personal testimony: with resilience and discipline, women can thrive even in spaces that feel overwhelming.
Professionally, my journey led me into cybersecurity, a field that demands both precision and purpose. Over the past six years, I’ve specialized in governance, risk, and compliance, working across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and education. I’ve developed security programs, led risk assessments, overseen audits, and created awareness initiatives that not only protect organizations but also safeguard individuals. My certifications, including CISM and CompTIA Security+, have strengthened my foundation; however, what truly drives me is the opportunity to mentor and lead others, especially women and minorities who may not see themselves represented in the tech industry.
Being an influential woman in cybersecurity is about more than controls, frameworks, or policies. It’s about using my voice to open doors for others, to show that you can be a woman of faith, a mother, an immigrant, and still rise in one of the most competitive and male-dominated fields in the world. I’ve learned that leadership is not just about what you achieve but about how you lift others along the way.
For me, influence means mentoring young professionals, volunteering with ISACA, or simply encouraging women who doubt whether they belong in cybersecurity. It appears that she is fully showing up as Deborah, the Ghanaian-born girl who persevered through hardships, the woman who built a career in risk and compliance, the mother who chose resilience, and the professional who believes security is about people first.
If there’s one truth my journey has taught me, it is this: your story is your strength. The trials you’ve faced, the faith that carried you, the career you’ve built, none of it is wasted. It all shapes you into the leader you were meant to be. And if my story inspires even one woman to rise, to believe, to step into her own influence, then I know I’m living out my purpose.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.