Sonia Kumar

What does receiving Edinburgh Napier University's Excellence Award mean to you?   "It's a huge honour because it comes from a university that played such an important role in my life.  "Edinburgh Napier wasn't simply where I earned a degree. It's where I became independent, discovered who I was, and met people who are still important to me today.  "To receive recognition from an institution I care about so deeply means a great deal."

What first inspired you to study Biomedical Sciences at Edinburgh Napier University?

My interest in science started when I was very young. My uncle gave me a toy doctor's kit, and I became fascinated by how the human body works and how things in general functioned.

I’m from Edinburgh, and when it came to choosing a university, I wanted to stay close to my friends and family. Studying at Edinburgh Napier was one of the best periods of my life. It was where I discovered independence, built lifelong friendships and developed the resilience and self-discipline that have served me throughout my career.

Did you have a clear career plan when you graduated?

Not at all; my only aim was to leave Edinburgh and experience more of the world.

After graduating in 1997, I took part in a youth travel and international work exchange programme supported by the University. I secured a housekeeping job for the summer at an inn in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA. It was next to the water so after finishing work each day, I would spend my time jet skiing and enjoying life on the beach.

That experience wasn’t about building a career. It was about personal growth and experiencing life beyond Scotland.

What did you do when you returned to the UK?

I was raised by my Indian grandparents, who were quite traditional, so I needed a plan that they would support.

I wasn’t ready to return to Edinburgh. Instead, I secured one of just six places on a masters programme in toxicology and experimental pathology at Imperial College London, and I moved to London with just £20 in my pocket. Although I completed the course and research work, I didn’t turn up for my final viva assessment which meant I didn’t complete the degree.

Looking back, there are some regrets, but it taught me an important lesson: one setback does not define your future. My grandparents never found out I didn’t pass either!

How did you begin your professional career?

At the time I was working in a pub in West London. At this point I wanted to start building a career.

I spotted a job advert in New Scientist for the Forensic Science Service, which at the time conducted forensic work for police forces across England and Wales. I applied and successfully secured one of a handful of highly competitive positions.

I started in the laboratory before training as a trainee expert witness specialising in DNA interpretation and sexually motivated crimes. It was fascinating work and provided an excellent grounding in analytical thinking, investigation and problem-solving.

How did you move from forensic science into counter-intelligence?

I was walking home one night and saw a billboard with a cryptic recruitment advert for the UK Government. This was around the time Spooks was on television, so public interest in intelligence and security work was high.

I applied as a bit of a joke but I ended securing a role in counter-terrorism. My responsibilities included maintaining national security interests, including public safety during the London 2012 Olympics.

I joined the intelligence service in 2003. In 2014 I was offered an opportunity within the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to design and deliver counter-intelligence training for the armed forces. I created a 14-week programme and led its delivery. I remained with the MOD for a further two years.

Tell us more about your journey into cyber security?

"When I was with the MOD, cyber security was emerging as a significant national security challenge. I found the subject fascinating and decided it was a field I wanted to explore further, so I undertook a postgraduate diploma to develop my knowledge and skills.

"Halfway through my postgraduate studies, I applied for a cyber role at Vodafone despite having no direct cyber experience. To my surprise, I was offered a position at the company within their cyber defence operations. It was a major career change and, if I'm honest, quite daunting. But I've always believed in taking opportunities when they present themselves; sometimes you just have to give things a go.

"When I first mentioned that I wanted to move into cyber security, people told me, "you'll never be able to do that." I'm quite stubborn and when someone says something like that to me, my reaction is always, "Right, I'm going to prove you wrong"."

How did your career progress at Vodafone?

"I joined Vodafone in 2016 at a more junior level than I'd previously worked at, but that was fine because I was entering a completely new industry and I wanted to learn.

"Because of my intelligence background, I was initially placed within the cyber threat intelligence team. However, I'd done similar work before and wasn't feeling challenged. Then, a job came up to be the first UK based a cyber incident manager within Vodafone’s Global Cyber Defence operations. Several colleagues queried my fit for the job and highlighted that I would be working with people more experienced than me, but this just made me more determined, so I applied anyway and got the job.

"Their reaction did knock my confidence, but I had something to prove, and I focused on delivering results. A year and a half later I progressed to Senior Manager, leading teams across cyber threat intelligence and incident management. I'm incredibly grateful to Vodafone for giving me the opportunity and placing their trust in me.

"In total I was at Vodafone for just under seven years. One of the most valuable lessons I learned was how to build high-performing teams. I deliberately recruited people from non-cyber backgrounds and focused on developing their potential. Building successful diverse teams became one of the aspects of leadership I enjoyed most."

Tell us more about your most recent roles.

"I moved back to Edinburgh during the pandemic while continuing to work for Vodafone. I was then approached with a job opportunity by a former colleague to join Element Materials Technology Group, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification. In 2023 I took on the role of Global Head of Cyber Defence and later became Director of Cybersecurity for EMEA.

"In 2025, I was contacted by Analog Devices and invited to apply for a newly created senior leadership position. Today, I serve as Senior Director of Cyber Defence and Resilience, leading teams across North America, the UK and the Philippines. My teams focus on preventing, detecting and responding to cyber threats, helping to protect the systems, data and intellectual property that underpin one of the world's leading semiconductor companies."

Mentoring has been an important theme throughout your career. Why does it matter so much to you?

"I'm proud of my career, but I’m even more proud of the teams I've built and the people I've helped develop. Seeing others grow and succeed is what gives me the greatest satisfaction.

"I have been involved with various initiatives to mentor and empower young people, young professionals and women in the industry. At Vodafone, mentoring junior staff became one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. I also previously sat on the University's Court and was also an external Lay Director at Edinburgh Napier Students' Association where I was able to use my experience and expertise to help the university fulfil its strategic objectives.

"I have benefited from great mentors myself. During my fourth year at Edinburgh Napier, Professor Ken Donaldson invited me to join his thesis project research team. He's a world-renowned expert in toxicology, and my immediate reaction was, "Why me?” There were much smarter people in the class.

"Years later, he told me that he knew I wasn't working as hard as I could and that inviting me onto the project was his way of challenging me to achieve more.

"Ken was one of the first positive male role models in my life and became an important mentor. We've remained in touch over the years, and I now regularly see him and his wife, Jen. That's one of the reasons I think Edinburgh Napier is such a special place."

What advice would you give to current students and recent graduates?

"Don't expect your career to follow a straight line. Mine certainly didn't.

"I absolutely love what I do, but I never planned on working in cyber security. Many of the best opportunities in my career came from simply being open to trying something new.

"Focus on what genuinely interests and excites you. Don't be afraid of setbacks, and if someone tells you that you can't do something, use it as motivation. Above all, just have a go."