Women in tech: Aliona Geckler, SVP business operations and chief of staff at Acronis

The year 2022 was a year of consolidation and re-evaluation of priorities. This is evident by a wide uptake and the hypergrowth of our flagship product Acronis Cyber Protect, which natively integrates data protection and cybersecurity, allowing service providers to reduce costs and optimise operations.

On the human side, the Covid-19 pandemic and recent world events prompt workers to reassess their priorities, looking for better work-life balance, mental health, and earning opportunities, while taking advantage of new remote work opportunities.

We, at Acronis, are working hard on ensuring our staff has a safe work environment and support to advance their career.

We offer mentorship programmes, regional #CyberWomen network groups, clear career paths to retain our talent, and encourage diverse applicants to transfer skills to IT from other verticals.

For 2023, I predict the current trends that we see this year will continue.

Tech consolidation and market defragmentation will accelerate as service providers continue to seek new ways to reduce costs and grow business.

Service providers will continue moving away from transactional vendors to companies like Acronis, which offer more than just a licence key.

Next year we’re also expecting to see more and more of the human side of IT.

Initiatives such as women in tech, mentorship and flexible work environment will be key points that attract and retain talent while encouraging progress and growth.

In my many years as a woman in the tech industry, I have identified several different challenges that women face in progressing in their careers. These include lack of mentorship, absence of female role models, gender bias and unequal pay to name just a few.

Here at Acronis, we take it very seriously to ensure that women have not just equal but equitable opportunities to grow and be recognised.

We run mentorship programmes and training workshops for women, teaching them how to speak up and make themselves heard in an industry that historically ignored women.

We have multiple nationalities, accents, genders and orientations on a majority of our team calls.

We create a safe environment and encourage everyone to speak and be heard. This is the major step in overcoming the challenges and giving everyone an opportunity to reach the top.

Hiring more women is just the first step, however. Equal career opportunities, equal pay, a flexible work environment, and positive work culture are some of the biggest aspects that attract women to enter tech jobs.

It’s not enough to attract women to apply for jobs, it’s also important to train hiring managers to give all applicants an equal opportunity to reach the interview process. The employer needs to demonstrate to potential employees what they can expect during and post-application process.

To those looking to progress in their tech careers, I advise you to speak up and be heard. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Find a mentor who can lead you through the process, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go in this industry.

Read: Women in tech: Muna Issa, sales director – High Velocity, UK, Ireland, MEA at HPE