Former Bahrain resident Meera Tamboli has cracked the code to international success, shattering a male-dominated industry’s glass firewalls to secure a spot amongst the Top 20 Cybersecurity Women of the World 2026.
At just 26, the former Indian School Bahrain student has been featured on a Times Square billboard, built a YouTube community of 50,000 subscribers, and mentored more than 1,000 aspiring professionals.
Recently, at the Cybersecurity Woman of the World Awards, held at Schattenburg Castle in Feldkirch, Austria, the now London-based Indian expatriate who grew up in Bahrain, was recognised amongst the top women in the industry.
“It’s a global award, and they receive thousands of nominations from different countries,” she told the GDN. “Being named among the Top 20 women in the world at my age was a very big thing for me.
“I moved to the UK for my Masters and now work full-time in London. In addition, I have a YouTube channel with 50,000 subscribers, I’ve mentored more than 1,000 people across the world and was also featured in Times Square last year for my efforts and work.
“I think all these things – how I give back to the cybersecurity community, share what I learn, and try to help others grow – helped me get selected in the Top 20.”
Ms Tamboli lived in Bahrain for 17 years, moving to the kingdom in 2002 and completing her primary and secondary education at the Indian School Bahrain.
In 2018, she left Bahrain to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology at the Vishwakarma Institute of Technology. She then went on to complete her Master’s degree in cybersecurity from Warwick University.
Her father Ulhas, mother Shubhangi and brother Ishan still live in Bahrain.
“I still visit Bahrain every year, as my family continues to live there,” the former resident of Manama explained. “Growing up in Bahrain exposed me to different cultures, traditions and perspectives, and that really shaped the way I think.
“Many people living in Bahrain are away from their home countries, so they build close-knit communities and friendships and make Bahrain their home. Growing up in that environment taught me to respect different cultures and perspectives, and understand that everyone sees the world differently.”
The Top Cybersecurity Women of the World Awards take place annually around the world, and Ms Tamboli has earned her place amongst industry leaders from the US, Albania, Jordan and more.
“When you put in the effort and it gets recognised globally, and you get to stand in a room with women who have so many years of experience, it means a lot,” she explained.
“For me, it was a reminder that the work I’m doing – whether that’s creating content, mentoring people, sharing what I learn or giving back to the cybersecurity community – is making an impact.”
As she looks to the future and through the mentoring work, Ms Tamboli hopes to keep going and encourage other women and ambitious college graduates to expand their horizons.
“Cybersecurity is still a male-dominated field, and when I wanted to enter the industry, there were people who told me that I shouldn’t get into it because I wouldn’t really succeed,” she added.
“There are definitely challenges women face, although I do think things are getting better. I’m just trying to be a small part of that change and making things easier for the women who come after me and trying to inspire and motivate them.
“I always try to be the mentor that I never had. I want to show young women and young people out there that if I can do it, so can they.”
naman@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))