ICT-ISAC's Women in Security SiG Visits Splunk's Former Office: A Vibrant Exchange Among Female Security Professionals

Splunk Japan joined the Information and Communication Technology–Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ICT-ISAC), chaired by Mr. Tadao Saito, in April 2024. Our involvement in this initiative has deepened our understanding of the importance of collaboration within the security domain and highlighted the potential for further engagement. One such special activity born from this commitment is the "Sekijo-SiG" (Women in Security Special Interest Group), which was launched in April 2025.

Recently, as our office prepared for its planned closure in November, we had the pleasure of hosting 23 members of Sekijo-SiG at Splunk Japan's former office on August 22, 2025, for their regular meeting. Join us for a recap of this energetic day! 

What is Sekijo-SiG? 

Sekijo-SiG was established in April 2025 with the aim of supporting the long-term career development of women security professionals active in industries like information, communications, and broadcasting. Ms. Ayaka Miki from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (NTT East), who serves as the coordinator, shared the following insights into Sekijo-SiG's mission: 

"Within the security industry, women returning to work after childbirth and childcare often find limited opportunities to share their experiences. This can lead to younger women expressing concerns about their future career paths. To address this, our SiG hosts regular meetings where participants can openly share concerns and opinions, working to prevent career disruptions due to life events. While primarily focused on women, we also warmly welcome men and management staff who champion our mission, fostering diversity and mutual understanding." 

The Significance of Women Gathering Together

While I personally believe the security industry is relatively accommodating for women, it remains predominantly male in representation. As a woman myself (the author), it's still a noticeable rarity to see other women at external security-related events. When I do, I often feel an unconscious urge to approach them, and our discussions frequently spark lively conversations simply because we share the same gender. 

In this context, the sight of two Splunk conference rooms combined and filled exclusively with female security professionals was a truly remarkable sight, requiring extra chairs to accommodate everyone. What particularly impressed me was that even before the SiG officially began, the venue was already buzzing with radiant smiles and enthusiastic networking, complete with business card exchanges. It was clear that for many participants, gathering with so many women is a rare and exceptional experience outside of this SiG, and everyone was highly proactive in building connections. 

While all attendees represented companies that are members of ICT-ISAC (Sekijo-SiG's parent organization), we asked how many participated exclusively in Sekijo-SiG, as opposed to other ICT-ISAC SiGs. The surprising result: over 80% raised their hands! This revelation was met with a collective sigh of relief and convivial laughter, underscoring the vital need and significance of creating such a dedicated space for women. 

Perhaps it's not exclusive to women, but the meeting immediately took on a unique energy, vibrancy, and open-mindedness that are often characteristic of female gatherings. 

Scenes from the Day

This particular Sekijo-SiG regular meeting was hosted at Splunk, with Splunkers actively participating as speakers. Ms. Fumika Miki (NTT East), the lead for Sekijo-SiG, kicked off the session by sharing her customer perspective on "What I believe are the strengths of Splunk." This was followed by a company introduction from Splunk's Ai Eto, recruiter, and then Yukika Miyamoto, Security Advisor Team Leader, offered insights into her personal career journey and pivotal moments from a female perspective. 

This SiG, originally founded to explore and share perspectives on women's work styles and careers while fostering solidarity, sparked numerous questions and expressions of empathy. Topics ranged from working in security from a vendor's perspective and experiences in foreign-affiliated companies, to the work-life balance of managing both family and child-rearing. The session also touched upon approaches and insights into building a security career centered around English language skills, fostering a dynamic appreciation for Splunk that extended beyond its products and services. 

A Lively Networking Session

Following the formal Sekijo-SiG meeting, we transitioned into a dedicated networking session. Can you sense the vibrant atmosphere from these photos? 

During the networking time, Motomichi Mori, Splunk Japan's Field CTO, shared a powerful message with the security professionals present, drawing from his many years of experience.  

He emphasized, "In Security, the commitment of each and every individual involved is essential." He underscored that "the professionalism you constantly hone is, in itself, the very force that protects your organization and customers, creating value and trust in society." 

Additionally, Kazumi Sejima, Head of Solutions Engineering at Splunk Japan, extended a warm welcome to the visiting Sekijo-SiG members and introduced the newly published "Splunk Engineer's Textbook," released in July 2025. The atmosphere remained lively throughout. 

Furthermore, several members from the ICT-ISAC IT Security Working Group, whose meeting was held concurrently on the same day, graciously made an impromptu visit to the Splunk office and joined us. This facilitated substantial interaction among the various working groups within ICT-ISAC, making it a truly engaging gathering. 

A heartfelt thank you to all ICT-ISAC members who attended! Splunk Japan moved to a new office in November, and we warmly invite you to visit our new location as well. 

Splunk remains committed to actively championing and communicating about women's empowerment, diversity, and work-style innovation. For more on Splunk's commitment to diversity, please refer to the following article. 

• Advancing Diversity and Inclusion at Splunk: An Introduction to Our Womxn+ ERG Community Initiatives