We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tazin Khan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tazin below.

Tazin, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Imagine you’re navigating your day, checking messages, managing emails, browsing for the next great read, or perhaps clicking on a link shared by a friend. Everything feels routine, safe, and then—suddenly—something’s wrong. The screen freezes, a pop-up warns that your data is compromised, your heart races. In an instant, your sense of security is shattered, replaced by a gnawing fear that your online presence has been invaded. You try to regain control, but it’s too late—access to your social media accounts is gone, and your bank balance reflects transfers you never authorized.

This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a life-altering event. Statistics show that 1 in 4 people will fall victim to cybercrime in their lifetime, and each case leaves a distinct scar, reshaping how people experience their digital lives and personal security. For those affected, cybercrime isn’t just about lost data or finances; it’s about the fear, distrust, and anxiety that linger long after passwords are reset and funds are reimbursed.

At Cyber Collective, we’re acutely aware of the silent aftermath of cybercrime. We’ve seen firsthand how online threats don’t just compromise information—they disrupt mental well-being, erode confidence, and trigger trauma that seeps into everyday life. This realization drives our mission to go beyond technical solutions. We aim to provide a safe, inclusive space for people to access the resources they need, learn how to protect themselves, and understand that they are not alone.

Our commitment is to reshape cybersecurity into something more human-centered, building not only digital resilience but also emotional support systems. We believe cybersecurity education should empower people to rebuild their digital lives with confidence and regain a sense of control. For us, this mission is deeply personal—it’s about protecting people, not just passwords. That’s why we are dedicated to creating a world where all people can experience technology safely,
privately, and with dignity. Our mission is to help people understand the impact of technology so that they can protect themselves and their communities both online and offline.

Tazin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Call it serendipity or a weird series of events, but my way into the industry was anything but “normal.” I was working three jobs at the time, one of which was at Michael Kors, slinging purses for the tiniest commission. On a stormy Wednesday night, a woman walked in. She was stunning, with glossy black hair cut into the perfect, fluffy bob. The man she was with was carrying all her bags, walking cautiously behind her as she confidently strutted into the store. We chatted as I helped her shop, and suddenly, like word vomit, I asked, “What do you do, and how do I do it?”

“I’m in cybersecurity sales. Are you interested? Give me your information, and I’ll contact you.”

I think about my 21-year-old self and feel so proud of her boldness. I feel like most 18-year-olds would have given their information and left it at that, or even worse, gotten the info but never followed up. Not me. I told her, “Give me your email; you look too important to email me.”

I went home that night, whipped up my resume, and emailed her right away. A week went by, no response—then two. I followed up, still nothing. There was silence for months, but I was relentless. “Hey ____, just following up,” I’d say. Still no response. Until, one day, I got an answer. I went in for an interview and was hired that week! That was my entry into the industry, starting as an account manager at a government contracting company, making $34,000 with a $3,000 capped commission potential.

That story is what I’m most proud of, and it’s the resilience I’ve carried with me through all the tough years that followed. 18-year-old Tazin was a badass. She’s the one who inspires me to push through any hurdle, any “no,” any moment of fear. She’s my forever inspiration in everything I do.

It was those early hurdles, along with my culture and passion for people’s well-being, that eventually led me to start Cyber Collective. After years of being the only woman—let alone the only Bangladeshi Muslim woman—in the room, feeling out of place, watching people get left behind in the relentless tech rat race, I knew something had to change.

Cyber Collective was born from that need: to bring people into the conversation and equip them with the knowledge and tools this industry often hides behind technical jargon. We’re about showing people how technology impacts their lives—whether they realize it or not—and giving them a voice in it.

Our latest program, Internet Street Smarts, is a prime example of this mission in action. We launched this course as a 100% free resource, empowering people to safely navigate the digital world on their own terms. It’s a comprehensive program designed to make digital literacy relatable and actionable, providing real-life skills for navigating online spaces securely. We’re offering New Yorkers—and anyone who needs it—a way to gain autonomy and confidence online, with no cost or barriers.

The work we do at Cyber Collective is deeply personal and unapologetically inclusive. We talk about security and tech in a way that actually makes sense, using real language instead of jargon. We dive into privacy, digital autonomy, and online safety from a perspective that centers on community and accessibility. We’re not here to fearmonger; we’re here to empower people to understand tech on their terms. We’re here to make sure no one gets left behind.

What sets us apart is our commitment to the communities who are often excluded from the cybersecurity conversation. We’re not just teaching digital literacy; we’re redefining it to make it feel relevant, accessible, and inclusive. And through all of it, I think back to that 18-year-old me who took a chance, who didn’t back down, and who wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted. She’s my reminder that we all deserve a seat at the table—or the chance to build our own if one isn’t offered.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

What’s helped us build our reputation? It really comes down to the heart of Cyber Collective: our values and the deep commitment to meeting people where they are. From day one, we wanted Cyber Collective to be a space where everyone feels seen and heard, especially those who often get left out of tech and digital safety conversations.

A huge part of our approach is simplicity and clarity. We know tech can feel like a foreign language, and we get that it’s often confusing on purpose. So, we’re here to make things clear and accessible. People have the right to understand how their tech and data impact their lives, so we break down those complex topics into everyday language that clicks. It’s about helping people feel confident, informed, and not overwhelmed.

Safety and belonging are also big pieces of our reputation. Cyber Collective is a woman of color-led organization, and we know firsthand how important it is to create spaces where people feel valued for who they are. We design our workshops, content, and even our community spaces to be places where people can ask questions and show up authentically—no code-switching required. And we don’t just talk about inclusion; we live it in our leadership, our team, and the communities we work with. People tell us they trust us because we show up as ourselves, and they feel they can, too.

Then there’s empowerment. We don’t want people to just learn about digital safety; we want them to feel strong and capable in the digital world. We believe everyone deserves to have agency in tech spaces, so we don’t just teach—we encourage our community to take back control, to advocate for themselves, and even to share what they learn with family and friends. We often say, “If not you, then who?” because we believe in the power of everyday people becoming advocates in their circles.

When people come to our workshops or follow our content, they know they’ll find resources that speak to them, with topics and language that resonate on both emotional and intellectual levels. Every session we host follows a pattern: Educate, Assess, and Analyze. We explain complex tech issues in relatable ways, check in to make sure people are truly understanding, and then we open the floor for discussion. This isn’t just about teaching; it’s about listening to what matters to our community and learning from their insights.

We often say that Cyber Collective is a “favorite corner of the internet” because it’s a space where people feel safe, respected, and genuinely welcomed. And we keep it real. We don’t code-switch, and we’ve created a place where no one else has to either. This authenticity and our community-centered design are what build our reputation. Cyber Collective isn’t just another cybersecurity organization—it’s a place people know they can trust, where they’re a valued part of the mission to build a safer, more inclusive digital world.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Jennifer Armbrust’s The Business Birthing Handbook and her Principles of a Feminine Economy have shaped how we think about building Cyber Collective from the inside out. Her work challenges the typical “move fast and break things” mentality in tech, which often prioritizes speed over depth. Instead, Armbrust offers a slower, more thoughtful model that values inclusivity, sustainability, and creativity.

Inspired by her approach, we’ve structured our project cycles to follow a 29-30 day rhythm, aligning with the natural hormonal cycle that most of our team experiences. This cycle isn’t just a scheduling choice; it’s a way of honoring how energy and creativity flow, allowing space for critical thinking and innovation without the rush. In our industry, it’s rare to find this emphasis on deep, reflective work. But by aligning our process this way, we’ve created an environment where intuition and creativity are central, not sidelined.

The feminine design principles we embrace make space for exploration and authentic dialogue. It’s about building with intention, allowing time for ideas to grow, and respecting each team member’s unique contributions. In an industry focused on disruption, we’re choosing a path that’s collaborative, reflective, and deeply aligned with who we are as a team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cybercollective.org
• Instagram: @tazinkhannorelius and @cybercollectiveorg

Image Credits

Tahmid Chowdhury for two images where I am wearing a blazer