In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, one name has emerged as a trailblazer and an inspiration for aspiring professionals—Yasmin Abdi. At just 26 years old, Yasmin is not only the Founder and CEO of noHack, a government contracting company specializing in cyber security services, but also a distinguished technical advisor with a remarkable journey from Somalia to Silicon Valley.
Yasmin’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Raised in Somalia, a country with limited resources, she discovered her passion for technology and hacking at a young age. Despite facing numerous challenges, Yasmin’s early successes in breaking into networks and hacking into accounts foreshadowed her future in the cybersecurity industry.
Returning to the United States for college, Yasmin Abdi attended the University of Maryland on a Google scholarship and founded the first all-women’s computer science club, Ladies of Computer Science (LOCS). Her dedication to creating a supportive environment for women in cybersecurity reflects her commitment to breaking down barriers and empowering the next generation.
Yasmin’s journey continued as she pursued a degree in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity engineering. Her outstanding achievements led her to key roles in industry giants such as Google, Meta, and Snap, where she became one of the first black woman software engineers. Winning the inaugural Snap hackathon during her first internship and contributing to industry advancements showcased her exceptional skills and innovative contributions.
Along Yasmin’s journey, she also was a founding member of Meemo, an AI-powered social finance app acquired by Coinbase for $95 million, Yasmin’s technologies now serve over 100 million daily active users globally. Her leadership and expertise extend beyond the corporate realm, with notable recognitions such as a contributing author for CyberWire, the world’s largest B2B cyber security network, and a keynote speaker for the University of Maryland’s 50th Computer Science anniversary.
Yasmin’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Being a triple minority—young, black, and a woman—she faced unique obstacles, working three times as hard to achieve recognition. However, Yasmin’s mantra, “No means next opportunity,” reflects her resilience in the face of adversity. Serving on the advisory board for BlackGovTech and actively mentoring 50 minority students, she is actively shaping the future of diversity in the cybersecurity industry.
As the visionary leader of noHack, Yasmin Abdi envisions the company as a global cybersecurity government contracting powerhouse in the next 10 years. Her goal is to establish key partnerships with federal agencies such as the DOD, CIA, NSA, CISA, etc., and revolutionize the approach to security assessments. Yasmin observes a rise in significant digital attacks, driven by an increase in zero-day attacks, malicious insider threats, and critical attacks targeting the US infrastructure. “Defending against cyber attacks requires a multi-layered strategy. Some of the key steps include updating software regularly, using MFA, employing firewalls and antivirus software, restricting and encrypting access to sensitive data. However, fundamental to cybersecurity is education — regular awareness training is crucial to prevent phishing attacks and social engineering tactics,” she adds.
Yasmin’s story is more than just a personal journey—it’s an invitation to innovate, inspire, and impact. Through her relentless pursuit of excellence, she exemplifies the transformative power of passion, resilience, and determination.
She advocates for creating opportunities if none exist. “If there is no seat at the table, then create your own table,” she emphasizes. Yasmin’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish noHack, a manifestation of her vision to fortify clients’ defenses in the cybersecurity landscape.”Being prepared is always staying ready. With a constant focus on anticipating system vulnerabilities, defensive security is fundamental to maintaining strong cyber hygiene and through my work with noHack, I assist my clients with evaluating risks, integrating advanced detection software, implementing robust endpoint security, and continually monitoring network behaviors for any signs of suspicious activity,” she highlights.
Continuous learning is another cornerstone of Yasmin’s success. She encourages adopting a mindset of lifelong learning, staying curious, open-minded, and proactive in seeking knowledge. Her journey from not having taken a formal computer science class until college to leading a global cybersecurity engineering team at Snap underscores the transformative power of persistent learning.
