Atefeh Mashatan | |
|---|---|
| Academic background | |
| Education | University of Waterloo |
| Thesis | Message Authentication and Recognition Protocols Using Two-Channel Cryptography (2008) |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | Toronto Metropolitan University |
Atefeh Mashatan is a researcher known for work related to cryptography, blockchain technology, and enterprise information security architecture. A faculty member at Toronto Metropolitan University, she is the founding director of the school's Cybersecurity Research Lab.
Mashatan completed her doctoral studies at the University of Waterloo. Following graduation, she was a scientific collaborator at the Security and Cryptography Laboratory at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne's School of Computer and Communication Sciences. Prior to joining TMU, Mashatan worked as a senior information security consultant for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Mashatan has been vocal the shortage of cybersecurtiy experts and has been quoted in the media about the need to diversify the field. She has argued that business and knowledge skills are key requirements for work in cybersecurity and that stereotypes about tech have limited recruitment in the field. At a 2019 event about women in cybersecurity Mashatan said: "The perception that most people have, not just of cybersecurity, but of most technical domains, is that there’s this geek in their basement, and if you’re not a programmer, there’s no need for you. And that’s wrong.”
Mashathan was among the five Women of Influence in Security selected SC Magazine in 2019. In 2024 she was named one of the Top 25 Women of Influence for leadership in cybersecurity expertise and advocacy for women in STEM.