2025 IN CTO Clinic

Itza White is the Director of Cybersecurity at Five Star Technology Solutions, where she spearheads efforts to safeguard K-12 schools through robust cybersecurity programs. She focuses on building proactive security cultures that balance protection and usability, emphasizing clear communication and creative solutions tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions.Itza's passion for cybersecurity, particularly for empowering often-overlooked sectors like K-12, stems from a personal journey marked by transformation and resilience. Her path began in a small town in southern Mexico, immigrating to the USA at age eight and growing up in Indiana. After a successful career in retail, she pivoted, taking a leap of faith into cybersecurity, driven by hard work, continuous learning, and a desire for a new challenge.This journey took a significant turn in February 2023 when Itza experienced a stroke, impacting her speech and mobility. Relearning and rebuilding has been a powerful teacher, reinforcing the importance of perseverance, adaptation, and perspective. This life-altering event fuels her commitment to making the most of every opportunity and giving back. As she puts it, "life is what shapes us... sometimes we have to adjust and pivot but the journey is worth it."Driven by her experiences, Itza is dedicated to mentorship and fostering inclusivity within the cybersecurity community. She strives to be "the person she needed when she was coming up,” she is committed to pulling up a chair for the next person and looks forward to continuing her learning journey while helping build a stronger, more inclusive cybersecurity community.