Ethical Hacker Betta Lyon Delsordo Inspires Future Tech Leaders

Betta Lyon Delsordo, a 25-year-old ethical hacker from Montana, is reshaping the perception of tech professionals in cybersecurity. Contrary to the common stereotype of hackers, she embodies a modern, collaborative approach to technology. Delsordo, who works for the cybersecurity firm OnDefend, emphasizes the importance of ethical practices in a field often overshadowed by criminal activity.

With global cybercrime costs reaching trillions of dollars annually, companies are increasingly seeking skilled individuals like Delsordo to protect their systems. “People hire me to hack them,” she explains. “I break into their systems, then I teach them how to protect themselves.” Her work covers a range of industries, including social media and banking, focusing on securing networks against potential threats.

Redefining Hacking Through Education

Delsordo’s expertise lies in artificial intelligence (AI), an area she finds particularly challenging yet rewarding. She notes that while malicious hackers may exploit AI to steal data or compromise systems, her role is to counteract these threats through proactive defenses. Her confidence stems from a robust academic background, including a master’s degree in cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Despite the clear distinctions between ethical and malicious hacking, Delsordo acknowledges that the lines can sometimes blur. “Hacktivists,” or grey-hat hackers, utilize their skills for political activism rather than financial gain, leading to complex ethical dilemmas. For instance, she highlights incidents where hackers have targeted ticket reselling websites to redistribute tickets to fans at no cost, a practice that raises questions about morality in the hacking community.

Delsordo’s journey into technology began at the age of 13, inspired by YouTube tutorials. Initially, she faced significant resistance due to the prevailing notion that technology is primarily for boys. Her parents, skeptical of her pursuits, limited their daughters’ access to technology until their late teens. However, after winning an iPod Touch during middle school, Delsordo’s passion for tech grew, leading her to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in software.

Empowering the Next Generation of Female Hackers

Her involvement in the Technovation challenge, which encourages young girls to develop apps addressing social issues, marked a pivotal moment in her life. Delsordo and her team created an app aimed at connecting individuals in rural Montana with mental health resources, addressing a critical need in her community. This experience not only honed her coding skills but also introduced her to a network of mentors, crucial for her development as a technologist.

Today, Delsordo gives back by mentoring girls participating in the same Technovation challenge that once inspired her. She actively shares resources on social media, guiding young women toward online coding platforms such as Scratch and TryHackMe. “Technology is power right now – it’s money, it’s influence,” she asserts, highlighting the transformative potential of a career in tech for women.

Despite the challenges faced by women in STEM fields, including a significant gender imbalance in the workforce, Delsordo remains optimistic. In the United States, men in STEM roles outnumber women by a ratio of two to one, and statistics from Women in Tech indicate that two-thirds of US recruiters acknowledge gender bias during the hiring process. Yet, she insists that a career in technology is achievable for women, countering stereotypes that label hackers as rule-breakers.

“It’s simply not true that tech workers need to conform to a particular profile,” she explains. Delsordo encourages girls to recognize their unique strengths and contributions to the field. “Being an ethical hacker is a really amazing career because you get to help people,” she emphasizes, noting the rewarding nature of her work.

As she reflects on her own path and the obstacles she has overcome, Delsordo is determined to inspire the next generation of female technologists. “What’s cooler than being a hacker?” she asks, embodying the excitement and potential of a career that is both impactful and innovative.