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34 I in today's rapidly evolving legal technology landscape, the ability to understand, articulate, and showcase one's skills is more critical than ever. Recognizing this need, the Women in Security Committee at the International Legal Technology Association (ILTA) launched a transformative initiative: the Skills Matrix. This dynamic, interactive tool helps professionals in legal cybersecurity identify, validate, and communicate their capabilities with clarity and confidence. At the heart of this initiative is Maryna Yasyns'ka, a former lawyer from Ukraine who transitioned into data analytics. Her unique blend of legal expertise and data visualization skills has been instrumental in shaping the Skills Matrix into a powerful resource for women navigating careers in legal cybersecurity. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN This story really begins with ILTA's Women Who Lead initiative, which, over four years ago, formed several subcommittees to address the lack of representation and support for women in legal IT security roles within the legal technology industry. These grassroots efforts were born out of candid conversations about the challenges women face in this space, including limited mentorship opportunities and a lack of resources. The Skills Matrix began with a simple question: How can we help women showcase their strengths to advance in or into IT security roles? The subcommittees quickly set ambitious goals: to develop mentorship programs, host networking events, and create educational resources for women in the legal sector. Among these efforts, the idea for a Skills Matrix emerged—a centralized resource designed to help women assess their skills, identify areas for growth, and advocate for themselves in professional settings. The first version of the matrix was built in Smartsheet, laying the groundwork for what would become a much more sophisticated and interactive tool. EMPOWERING WOMEN IN LEGAL TECH AND CYBERSECURITY THROUGH THE SKILLS MATRIX by Maryna Yasyns'ka FEATURES

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