Gradiant and Hi Coruña conclude the 2024 edition of “Technologists of the 21st Century” with Araceli Goiriz, an expert in security and privacy
Araceli Goiriz, a computer engineer and industrial cybersecurity specialist, shared her experience in the Security and Privacy area at the Technology Center, focusing on projects identifying threats and vulnerabilities in industrial networks using honeypots.
“Technologists of the 21st Century” featured various talks led by engineers from Gradiant with the goal of raising awareness of women leaders in the tech sector.
This initiative closed the 2024 edition this afternoon with a series of sessions addressing technological evolution, from eHealth to cybersecurity, helping to inspire the new generations of women in the ICT sector.
The “Technologists of the 21st Century” talk series, promoted by Gradiant and Hi Coruña, concludes its 2024 edition with a presentation by Araceli Goiriz, a professional in the Security and Privacy area at Gradiant. Following the talks by Shaila Calvo (eHealth) and Aurora Paz (Advanced Communications and 5G), this session dives into the world of industrial cybersecurity, discussing the importance of anticipating threats to critical organizational networks and systems.
Trained in Computer Engineering in A Coruña and holding a master’s in Cybersecurity from UNIR, specializing in industrial environments, Araceli stands out for her work on projects identifying threats and vulnerabilities in industrial networks through honeypots. These simulated industrial network systems act as decoys to attract and log cyberattacks. The information obtained from these “smart traps” is analyzed using machine learning and advanced analysis techniques, allowing for the identification of patterns, classification of threats, and ultimately predicting future attacks.
“Security in industrial environments is not just about protecting data, but ensuring the continued operation of essential services for our society. Understanding the attackers’ tactics gives us the opportunity to stay ahead and reinforce defenses before real damage occurs,” Araceli pointed out during her talk.
The engineer highlighted that her interest in computer science began at the age of 10 when her parents bought the first family computer. That early curiosity, combined with her desire to improve people’s lives through technology, led her to choose a profession where problem-solving and constant innovation are the norm. “Since I was a child, I was fascinated by finding solutions to small daily challenges. My father, always inventive, showed me that every difficulty is an opportunity to create something new. That philosophy is what I apply in my work today: I try to anticipate and mitigate risks in critical infrastructures,” she shared.
Araceli also discussed the importance of having female role models in the tech sector, emphasizing the need for new generations to see that women can and should occupy key roles in cutting-edge areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or data analysis. “When I was studying, there was little talk of women scientists, and it seemed like Marie Curie was the only distant example. Meeting professionals like Amparo Alonso or Pilar Vila during my university years marked a turning point in my career, and it showed me that cybersecurity was a viable path for me. Today, thanks to these contemporary role models, we know that the glass ceiling can be shattered through talent, effort, and visibility,” Araceli affirmed.
This final session of “Technologists of the 21st Century” solidifies Gradiant and Hi Coruña’s commitment to showcasing women leaders in strategic technological fields. With this conclusion to the 2024 edition, the role of professionals in building a safer, more inclusive, and diverse digital future is highlighted. If the challenge of the 21st century is constant innovation, the presence of women capable of leading the way in cybersecurity, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, or eHealth will drive a more balanced ICT sector that is sensitive to society’s needs.
About Gradiant
Gradiant is a private TIC technology center focused on the needs of industry and specialized in the following technologies: cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced communications (5G-6G), quantum technologies, drones, and smart industry. A provider of innovation with more than fifteen years of experience in technology incubation, over 230 professionals on its team, and presence in 30 countries with more than 400 clients.
In recent years, Gradiant has quintupled the licensing agreements for its innovation projects, which now amount to 150 licenses in 18 countries. Some of the most recent international public references include Telefónica, Vodafone, Samsung, Stellantis, NATO, Indra, NTT Data, Avincis, and Boeing.
