Her Story
About Shivani
Shivani Shetty is a Senior Infrastructure Security Engineer at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where she has been advancing cybersecurity since October 2024. In her current role, she specializes in AI/ML-driven security automation, streamlining workflows to reduce false positives and ensure that critical resources focus on high-impact tasks. Shivani’s professional journey in cybersecurity formally began in August 2023, following her Master’s in Cybersecurity from Stevens Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from Gogte Institute of Technology. Prior to her work in security, she spent several years as a software developer in India and later trained emerging cybersecurity professionals through consulting roles at Nearshore Cyber and CyberArts.
Beyond her technical expertise, Shivani is deeply committed to mentorship and community building. She has guided over 400 mentees through ADPList, offering free career advice and support to young women and professionals transitioning into cybersecurity. Her mentorship efforts have earned public recognition, including a feature on a Times Square billboard, highlighting the tangible impact of her guidance as many of her mentees have successfully landed roles in the field. Shivani also actively engages with professional communities, including Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), where she contributes to networking, education, and advocacy for inclusion in tech.
Shivani’s career is marked by both technical achievement and a dedication to fostering growth in others. At Blue Cross Blue Shield, she has implemented cloud-native security measures, automated incident response workflows, and enforced zero-trust access policies, achieving measurable reductions in threats and operational risk. Complementing her corporate work, she has led cybersecurity initiatives such as designing Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges and overseeing Discord community engagement through Gold Star Gamers. Shivani’s accomplishments—including earning multiple GIAC certifications through a competitive SANS Institute scholarship—reflect her relentless pursuit of excellence, her commitment to education, and her drive to make cybersecurity more accessible and inclusive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shivani
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my mentor, who was helping me throughout everything. I was someone who used to be afraid of things, but then she gave me a perspective of life, wherein I became more confident and a better version of myself. That surely helped me to be the person who I am today. You just need that one person to believe in you - they see something that not many people see, and you just grow on it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mentor, who encouraged me to face my fears, adopt a broader perspective, and truly believe in myself — guidance that has fueled my confidence and growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One advice would be don't be afraid of stepping into something that you aren't aware of. Just be who you are, and you will figure it out. So, just go with the flow.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are mentorship, collaboration, and helping others, driven by a strong desire to support and grow the community of women in cybersecurity.
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