Cyber Innovate Student: Stephanie Wallace Chavanne

“The programme has been everything and more than I could have expected.” 

Stephanie Wallace Chavanne’s career so far has taken her from an undergraduate arts degree through to the financial services sector. Operational risk roles for companies like Stripe, KBC, and PTSB led to her working closely with some of the technical teams, which sparked an interest in cybersecurity that stayed with her.   

“That whetted my appetite for cybersecurity: understanding the dodgy behaviour that can go on in the background, and the innovative approaches of cyber criminals. There’s a wonderful podcast called Darknet Diaries by Jack Rhysider. Some people describe eating true crime for breakfast; I eat Darknet Diaries. He goes into great detail with interviewees who’ve been involved in huge cyber-attacks or people who are hired to pen-test companies’ physical and cybersecurity. And that just inspired me further.”  

In her career, Stephanie had seen how cybersecurity threats were evolving, as cybercriminals tried new approaches and attempted attacks which fuelled a need for innovative, proactive responses. That led her to the Cyber Innovate programme, and she was accepted as part of the first group that began in September 2024.   

Encouraging an open mind  

Right away, Stephanie points out that the programme encourages participants to keep an open mind. “I would say to anybody potentially thinking about the programme, do not go into this with a pre-set plan, because it will definitely, definitely change. And some people might struggle to give up their original ‘baby’ idea, but the programme gives you the opportunity to squirrel out even better, more innovative potential solutions.”  

Stephanie appreciates how the programme puts a lot of importance on user-centred design when developing business ideas. As part of this, Cyber Innovate arranges meetings with professionals working in cybersecurity to understand the challenges they face in their roles. These immersive environment visits take a more practical approach by identifying real cybersecurity problems which eventually leads to developing products and services that organisations like theirs would be interested in buying.   

Applying empathy to product design  

“It’s been a fantastic mix of uncovering unsolved problems, getting people’s first-hand experiences, their insights, what they believe are going to be emerging risks, then coming up with ideas to possibly plug those pain points,” Stephanie explains. “We’re applying empathy, then design, then solutioning. We do concept testing and validation as well, so you get to have this kind of incubation process. You really get to appreciate that you might start from point A and hope that you’re going to be in a linear fashion to point B, but there’s going to be so many iterations and back and forth. You really get a proper appreciation of how much work is involved in creating a startup and providing a real solution to problems.”  

Another phase of the programme gives the participants access to business leaders and entrepreneurs who share their experiences at lectures and events. Stephanie found this stage valuable as the speakers shared their experiences on the various ways to seek funding, build a successful business, and avoid certain pitfalls in trying to spin up a start-up. She also appreciates the broad experience of her fellow students. “There’s a mix: the programme gives great insights, but you’re learning from your peers as well, which has been fantastic,” she says.    

A fast-track to cybersecurity startup  

Stephanie’s current project is a proactive and pre-emptive control to mitigate social engineering risks for corporate employees, and she’s confident that it’s a viable product. With the programme’s mantra in mind, she’s staying open to other possibilities if they present themselves. “I’m 85% optimistic that our idea will grow wings but there have been so many great opportunities just from being in MTU and in the Rubicon centre,” she says.   

On this point, Stephanie encourages anyone taking part to base themselves nearby to get the full benefit of the programme. “There are so many different opportunities just being in here. For anybody based outside of Cork, I moved from Wexford, and I don’t regret it at all. It’s totally worth taking the chance. What you get for those 10 months is invaluable. Don’t hesitate about relocating,” she advises.   

“People who come in to do the guest talks are open to sharing their network with you if you find common ground with them. They’re happy to do soft introductions. You might have met somebody through one of the events who is interested in your idea, gives an expression of intent or wants to beta test your product: those are opportunities you’ll never get anywhere else. It’s a fast-track – this is a foot in the door.”