Cybersecurity executive Heather Phelps recognized for service and leadership

Heather Phelps, a U.S. Navy veteran and director of information security at Ribbon Communications, is being recognized for a career that blends cybersecurity leadership with military service and community work. Her profile highlights how she is navigating fast-changing technology while mentoring women, veterans and other professionals.

Why it matters: - Heather Phelps represents a growing leadership profile in cybersecurity: technical depth paired with military discipline, community service and people management. - Her career spans global communications infrastructure, a field where security lapses can affect networks, operations and customers. - Her perspective on AI, automation and regulation points to the changing skill mix cybersecurity teams will need next.

What happened: - Heather Phelps, MISM, was recognized by Influential Women for her work in cybersecurity, telecommunications and community leadership. - Phelps serves as Director of Information Security and Security Operations at Ribbon Communications. - Phelps is a U.S. Navy combat veteran and former in-flight avionics technician. - Her civilian career has included leadership roles at Grainger, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Fortune Brands Innovations and Ericsson.

The details: - At Ribbon Communications, Phelps leads cybersecurity risk management, compliance, security operations and strategic security initiatives. - Her work supports critical global communications infrastructure. - Phelps says her career has been shaped by honesty, integrity, courage, commitment, curiosity and a willingness to keep learning. - Her military background built technical discipline, accountability and resilience. - Her education includes a Master of Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Technical Management and Electrical Engineering from DeVry University. - Her credentials include Fiber Optics Certified Technician and Installer, CISA, CISM, CMMC Certification, CyberAB Registered Practitioner, ITIL Foundations and other specialized certifications. - She also completed the Leading for Impact Program. - Outside her corporate role, Phelps serves as Commander of Forney Memorial VFW Post 9180, Senior Vice Commander for Texas VFW District 30 and a member of the District 30 Honor Guard. - She is also involved with Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, ISACA, WiCyS, IIA, CompTIA, Electronic Technicians Association, IAPP and Project Management Institute. - More information is available through Heather Phelps' Influential Women profile.

Between the lines: - Phelps frames leadership as service, not title. - She says trust, authenticity and consistent results matter more than fitting a narrow stereotype in technology. - Her advice to younger women entering cybersecurity is to stay curious, keep learning and avoid changing who they are to succeed. - She argues that femininity and empathy can strengthen teams rather than weaken authority. - Her view of the future is that automation will remove many routine tasks, making judgment, communication and trust-building more valuable.

What's next: - Phelps expects cybersecurity professionals to adapt to faster AI adoption and a more complex legal and regulatory environment. - She sees mentorship, community and service becoming more important as organizations adjust to new technology. - She says future leaders will need to understand both systems and the people who rely on them.

The bottom line: - Heather Phelps' profile is as much about leadership philosophy as it is about cybersecurity credentials. - Her career links military service, technical expertise and community involvement into a single message: protect systems, but never lose sight of people.