How Jana Richens is inspiring the next generation of cybersecurity professionals

The growing global demand for cybersecurity professionals not only requires technical prowess but also demands diverse perspectives, leading to varied solutions. This is one of the many reasons it is crucial to have all voices heard and represented in the field of cybersecurity. As the world and digital landscape become more complex, women and other underrepresented groups should feel empowered to pursue this career path.

One cybersecurity professional doing just that is Jana Richens. A recent graduate of the online Bachelor of Cyber Operations and Resilience program at Boise State, Richens is now Project Coordinator for Infrastructure Security at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a major player in Idaho’s tech industry and a leader in nuclear energy research. 

Richens’s journey provides a lesson in the importance of resilience, mentorship and a great foundational education.

Blazing a trail in the tech world

Richens’s passion for technology began early. However, like many women in technology, her path wasn’t as easy to tread. As a result, Richens headed toward an associate’s degree program in networking. She was the only woman in her classes and the first woman in the program to graduate with a degree in computer networking in 1999, a time when, as Richens said, “The internet was still really new to everybody.”

At a pivotal moment in her life and early career, an instructor told Richens, “Women do not belong in this field.” She had, at first, briefly let this comment sow the seeds of self-doubt. Then, she thought about how technology is for everyone as it’s a gateway to knowledge and human connection. She also thought about how all people should be empowered to be a part of the tech industry. This thought process made Richens more determined than ever to succeed. 

Breaking the glass ceiling

With a renewed sense of purpose fueling her, Richens began her career at Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions as an administrative assistant. What started as an administrative role evolved into much more. Over the next seven years, she had a front-row seat to systems, instrumentation and quality control processes being managed as well as the methods for protecting such vital infrastructure. While her day-to-day work wasn’t directly technical, she developed a strong familiarity with the vital work that went into operating and securing highly-regulated environments.

After gaining valuable experience and growing her skillset at Curtiss-Wright, Richens was ready for a new challenge and set her eyes on Idaho National Laboratory. Richens’s experience with control systems for nuclear power plants made her a perfect fit for INL, where she could begin applying her skills to INL’s crucial mission of securing the nation’s critical infrastructure.

Giving back to the community

Aside from helping defend the nation, Richens inspired others to join the cause. Guided by her passion to help people, she became deeply involved in education and outreach efforts. For example, she started working with INL’s Cybercore summer camp and the United States Air Force’s CyberPatriot program. These programs help middle and high school students learn and develop cybersecurity skills. Richens also found success helping INL interns. Matching interns with the right mentors soon became her “superpower,” enabling her to shape future professionals through meaningful, guided opportunities and mentorship.

During this time, Richens gained a deeper understanding of the types of degrees that aligned best with INL’s capabilities. She learned who the organization was hiring, what skills they prioritized and expanded her knowledge of cybersecurity. Driven by a desire for both personal and professional growth, she began asking herself, “What can I do better?”

That reflection led her to a clear answer: she needed a bachelor’s degree — and she wanted it to be in cybersecurity.

Pursuing higher education

The more Richens worked with interns from different universities, the more she was able to connect with the faculty across the country. One of those connections was with Dr. Sin Ming Loo, founder of the cyber operations and resilience program at Boise State. As she got to know Dr. Loo, she learned more about the program, which was entirely online and asynchronous, meaning it could fit into her schedule and fulfill the requirements of INL’s employee education program. She decided to enroll. 

Richens adored the program immediately since it closely mirrored the work she was already familiar with. 

“Attending Boise State and the cyber operations and resilience program really aligned with what I already knew, but didn’t know that I knew. So, it was almost like doing something backward. I had all this experience, and then I was getting the degree to just really strengthen my knowledge and skills,” she said.

“What I really loved about the program was the instructors. They’re experts in their field and knowledgeable about what’s happening in the industry. Going to school was really fun because I felt like I knew what I was getting myself into, as the classes were always relevant to what I was working on at the moment. I knew that everything I was learning I’d be able to put to use in my career or my future career.”

Advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals

Jana Richens’s journey — returning to higher education later in life, working in a male-dominated field and finding her voice in cybersecurity — shows it’s never too late to pursue your passion. With grit, curiosity and a strong support system, meaningful change is always within reach.

Richens’s advice to students entering cybersecurity is simple but powerful: “Become a lifelong learner, network, find a mentor, gain some hands-on experience, do some self study and don’t be afraid to vocalize your goals. If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.” 

She also reminds us that the path into cybersecurity doesn’t have to be straight. 

“Sometimes it looks like a game of chutes and ladders,” Richens added. 

Still, with the right foundation and drive, underrepresented voices can make a real difference in this fast-evolving field. The cybersecurity world needs diverse perspectives — and there’s room for everyone at the table.

Learn more about the cyber operations and resilience program

Boise State’s online cyber operations and resilience program can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online program is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step. 

Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.

Written By Ashley Furr