I grew up in a family that valued hard work, ethics, and persistence. Logical thinking and non-stop curiosity were core to my upbringing, and have always helped me in my daily tasks.
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field. It requires curiosity to keep up with new threats and the defenses against them. The rapid pace of change, the thrill of the chase, and the challenge of solving the most complicated cybersecurity problems—those are the reasons I'm so passionate about my job.
Anna Loshkareva is a leader in Booz Allen’s advanced cyber defense business. She and her team are developing and delivering the next generation of converged security solutions, combining advanced vulnerability and threat management, threat intelligence, attack surface management, and security testing. In addition to working directly with client leadership to implement the latest integrated security solutions, Anna is responsible for team development, talent growth, and capabilities build-out.
Prior to joining Booz Allen, Anna worked for the Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU), where she was responsible for the cybersecurity program, including security engineering, encryption management, vulnerability and patch management, regulatory compliance, and identity and access management for both employees and consumers.
Prior to NFCU, Anna led global security engineering and operations for Marriott International, where she helped build and manage an enterprise-wide security program that protected 7,000 locations, 600,000 user accounts, and $1.2 billion in credit card transactions. She has also held numerous security consulting roles with Accenture and Sun Microsystems.
Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in IT with a specialization in security from George Mason University.
What are the greatest challenges in cybersecurity today, and how can we best meet them? The nation's adversaries are advancing faster than defense mechanisms can be stood up. It feels like we're always working against the clock to stay ahead and adequately protect environments. At the same time, companies are embarking on technology transformation journeys that challenge the way cybersecurity has traditionally been thought of. We must continue evolving and maturing our advanced cyber defense capabilities to meet not only today’s challenges, but those of the future.
How does your work change the world? The proliferation of digital services and the increasing reliance on an interconnected world have really changed the way we live. Gone are the times of the handwritten letter. We can now instantaneously connect with anyone globally via text and video messaging. Things that used to be nice to have, like cell phones or email, have become must-have critical assets throughout the world. The work that I do protects and safeguards digital services and consumers on a global scale. I help to ensure that all of us can transact business worldwide, engage with the global community, and expand our vision in a safe, secure, and ethical way.
What is your strategy for inspiring your teams to do excellent work? Be authentic and approachable. Lead by example. Be present and listen with intent. I build my teams up by recognizing everyone’s strengths and letting them shine.
