Yasmin Abdi serves as the founder and CEO of noHack, a government contracting firm that specializes in cybersecurity services.
Hailing from Somalia, the 26-year-old developed a keen interest in technology and hacking during her formative years.
Despite encountering various obstacles, her early achievements in network infiltration and account hacking hinted at her promising future within the cybersecurity sector.
Upon returning to the United States for her higher education, Yasmin enrolled at the University of Maryland on a Google scholarship, where she established the first all-women’s computer science organization, Ladies of Computer Science (LOCS).
Her commitment to fostering a supportive atmosphere for women in cybersecurity underscores her dedication to dismantling barriers and empowering future generations.
Yasmin’s academic journey led her to pursue a degree in computer science with an emphasis on cybersecurity engineering.
Her remarkable accomplishments opened doors to significant positions at major companies such as Google, Meta, and Snap, where she distinguished herself as one of the first Black women software engineers.
Her victory at the inaugural Snap hackathon during her initial internship, along with her contributions to technological advancements, highlighted her exceptional talents and innovative spirit.
Additionally, Yasmin played a pivotal role as a founding member of Meemo, an AI-driven social finance application that was acquired by Coinbase for $95 million.
Her technological innovations now benefit over 100 million daily active users worldwide.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Yasmin has received notable accolades, including recognition as a contributing author for CyberWire, the largest B2B cybersecurity network globally, and as a keynote speaker for the University of Maryland’s 50th anniversary celebration of its computer science program.
Challenges
Being young, black and a woman, Yasmin has encountered distinct challenges, necessitating her to exert three times the effort to gain acknowledgment.
Nevertheless, her role on the advisory board for BlackGovTech and her commitment to mentoring 50 minority students have significantly influenced the advancement of diversity within the cybersecurity sector.
As the innovative leader of noHack, Yasmin aspires to transform the company into a leading global entity in cybersecurity government contracting over the next decade.
Her objective is to forge essential collaborations with federal agencies, including the DOD, CIA, NSA, and CISA, while also redefining the methodology for security assessments.
Yasmin has noted an increase in serious digital threats, propelled by a rise in zero-day vulnerabilities, malicious insider activities, and critical attacks aimed at the US infrastructure.
“Defending against cyber attacks requires a multi-layered strategy. Some of the key steps include updating software regularly, using MFA, employing firewalls and antivirus software, restricting and encrypting access to sensitive data. However, fundamental to cybersecurity is education; regular awareness training is crucial to prevent phishing attacks and social engineering tactics,” she said.
