High above Tokyo, inside a Shinagawa skyscraper overlooking the city’s lights, the conversation at Cybersecurity Woman of Japan (CSWJ) 2025 felt unusually grounded. Cybersecurity wasn’t treated as a background technical function, but as something far more consequential: a public good tied directly to trust and societal stability. That framing set the tone for an evening that felt focused and honest about what’s at stake.
I attended CSWJ 2025 as both a participant and keynote speaker. The event brought together cybersecurity leaders and supporters with a shared goal: recognizing the impact of women in security while pushing the broader conversation forward around responsibility. What stood out immediately was the consistency of the message. Cybersecurity was not discussed as an internal company issue, but as a societal obligation with real consequences beyond the enterprise.
As DreamHost continues to expand globally, particularly across Asia, these conversations feel especially timely. Trust does not automatically scale across borders. It has to be earned with technical rigor, cultural awareness, and a long-term commitment to protecting digital freedom and users wherever they are.
A Room Full of Purpose
The energy at CSWJ was focused and engaged in a way that is rare. Attendees brought real expertise and a clear intent to learn from and recognize one another’s work. There was a strong sense of shared mission without posturing or performative debate, which made the discussions more honest and impactful.
Recognition played an important role throughout the event. Cybersecurity work is often invisible and demanding, and acknowledging those doing it matters. Visibility matters in a field that carries both high responsibility and high stakes.
Proud to Support as a Platinum Sponsor
DreamHost was proud to serve as the Platinum Sponsor of CSWJ 2025. Supporting this event reflects our belief that trust is built locally, through engagement with the communities shaping regional security priorities. The leaders recognized through CSWJ are shaping the future of the industry and showing the next generation across Japan that cybersecurity is not a routine job, but a calling.
As we grow our footprint across Asia, partnerships like this allow us to engage and invest in people who understand the cultural and societal context in which security decisions are made.
Cybersecurity Is Foundational
In my keynote, I focused on a simple idea: cybersecurity is no longer a niche. It is foundational. Privacy as we understood it is gone, but trust is still achievable. In a surveillance-driven world, cybersecurity professionals enable freedom through thousands of quiet decisions most people never see, but that carry global impact.
That message resonated with a room navigating rising expectations from users and regulators worldwide.
A Global Lens on Trust
One of the most compelling aspects of CSWJ was the perspective from Japan. Cybersecurity was frequently described as a public good, with an emphasis on long-term trust and societal stability rather than speed at any cost. After more than a dozen visits to Japan, I have learned how deeply culture shapes the way business decisions are made and how technology is deployed. That understanding was reflected throughout the evening. Compared to what I often see in the U.S., the approach felt more integrated. Security was not treated as a separate discipline, but as something embedded in how organizations operate.
For companies expanding internationally, these perspectives are invaluable. They challenge assumptions and help ensure growth does not come at the cost of user trust.
Before closing, I want to thank Carmen Marsh, President and CEO of United Cybersecurity Alliance, and her team for delivering such a standout evening at the SEGA SAMMY HOLDINGS INC. headquarters in Tokyo. With Natsue Ishida (title) and Kato Takaharu (title) as gracious hosts, and Jonathan Hiroshi Rossi (title) and Natsue Ishida (title) energizing the room as emcees, the evening never lost momentum.
CSWJ 2025 reinforced something I deeply believe: quiet, principled work matters. Cybersecurity succeeds most when no one notices it at all. That invisible success is exactly what makes the work so critical as we continue to expand our reach worldwide.