Cybercriminals regularly seize on popular news items and world events in order to take advantage of public fears. The COVID-19 pandemic has become particularly susceptible to abuse, spurring ransomware, malware, viruses, bots, and more.

While cybersecurity teams battle an expanded attack surface due to the shift to teleworking, COVID-related scams are reportedly costing Americans up to $134 million. In addition, as of April 2020, more than 18,000 COVID-related scams have been reported, with almost 10% of COVID-related resource site being malicious or suspicious.

“A deep sense of belonging is the cornerstone of Booz Allen’s culture. We invest in these events to be the place where you can be your authentic self now and well into the future.” -Anne Muindi-Shemenski, Multicultural Business Resource Group Leader

April is Celebrate Diversity Month. But Booz Allen has been making inclusion a priority year round through its Unstoppable Together series.

Booz Allen’s employees are technology experts, engineers, and analysts—and parents, veterans, teachers, and lifelong learners who bring their unique perspectives and passion to their jobs every day.

Meet three of the people who used their backgrounds to innovate, inspire, and drive change around the world in 2019.

Lifting, learning, and growing

Shana Millspaugh is a mother, military spouse, and an intel analyst with Booz Allen’s Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP). She’s also an award-winning weightlifter.

Millspaugh won Gold for her weight/age category in the 2019 Worlds Championship in Montreal and took Silver in the 2018 World Masters Championship in Barcelona.

Setting a powerful example

Despite this winning track record, the prospect of failure is Millspaugh’s greatest fear. “But it also motivates me to move forward and grow,” she said.