Ramona Ratiu- MS, CISA, CISM, GCCC, GSTRT
Adjunct Professor- IT Risk Management- DePaul University
Cybersecurity Program Manager- Zurich Insurance
Board Strategic Advisor/ Past President- ISACA Chicago Chapter
Faculty Advisor- DePaul ISACA Student Group
Ramona Ratiu is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with a focus on effective risk planning and cyber resilience strategies. Currently serving at Zurich Insurance Group, she spearheads transformative cybersecurity projects to build on the organizational resilience.
With a background encompassing information security, governance, audit, risk management, and compliance, Ms. Ratiu has honed her expertise in developing and implementing technical and procedural solutions. These solutions facilitate stakeholders in achieving and sustaining compliance across various standards efficiently.
Equipped with a bachelor's degree in finance and a Master of Science in Information Security and Compliance from DePaul University, Ms. Ratiu holds several prestigious certifications, including Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), GIAC GCCC and GSTRT.
Industry engagements:
Teaching Certifications Review Courses (7+ years): As an APMG Accredited Trainer, Ramona Ratiu has instructed CISM and IT Risk Fundamentals courses for the ISACA Chicago Chapter.
Global Teaching Engagements (2022-2023): Ramona extended her expertise globally, teaching IT Risk courses to students in Sri Lanka, UK, Romania, and underrepresented students from Africa through the CyberGirls program. She serves as an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University, lecturing students on IT Risk Management principles.
Mentorship and Leadership Roles: Ramona served as President of the ISACA Chicago chapter for 2 consecutive terms (4 years). She acts as a mentor for the Chicago GROW mentorship program and serves as a Professional mentor for the TechWomen program focused on Emerging Leaders. Additionally, she founded the "SheLeadsTech with... Expertise" program, dedicated to increasing women's representation in technology leadership roles. Ramona also serves as a Global SheLeadsTech Ambassador.
Advocacy and Awards: Ramona's dedication to the ISACA Chicago Chapter led to significant achievements, including the 2020 J Wayne Snipes Best Chapter Award and the 2021 Innovative Chapter Award for the #CollectiveResilience program. She was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Chapter Leader award and the 2023 Inspirational Leadership Award for her inspiring work, education, mentorship, and guidance to advance current and future generations of technologists and advocating for women worldwide. In 2024, she led the SheLeadsTech Chicago program to win the Innovative Award for Education.
Recent Publications: Ramona continues to contribute to the industry's knowledge base with articles and publications such as "Blueprint for Ransomware Preparations and Defense," "Strengthening Collaboration for Cyber Resilience,” “Securing the Future: Enhancing Cybersecurity in 2024 and beyond,” and “Applying Zero Trust principles” - published by ISACA.
Ms. Ratiu's extensive experience and qualifications position her as a key figure in the realm of cybersecurity, driving resilience and preparedness within organizations.