Hacking for Good

Sherri Davidoff helps keep you safe . . . by breaking into devices.

November 2026

by Alex Lim-Chua Wee

Part of Sherri’s job involves teaching others about the importance of cybersecurity.

The street you live on. Your parents’ names. Your age and birthday. These aren’t just random facts about you. They’re types of personal information. It’s likely your school has this info on file. Your doctor’s office probably does too. But chances are you wouldn’t want strangers to get hold of it. So how do you make sure it’s kept safe?

Sherri Davidoff would know. She works in cybersecurity. Her job involves helping businesses protect their information. One way she does this is through ethical hacking. (That means legally breaking into a computer system.) We asked Sherri about her fascinating job.

Why would an organization want you to hack it?

Criminals try to break into companies, schools, hospitals and other places. They may want to steal information or money. I help organizations find weak spots in their security and fix them.

How did you get into this type of work?

This is a pretty new type of work! When I was a kid, cybersecurity didn’t exist. In college, I saw a flyer looking for people to monitor the school’s computer network and keep it safe. I had never done something like that before. But I decided to try it out, and I really enjoyed it! Now I’ve been in security for 25 years.

Build Knowledge

Identity Theft

Cybercriminals want personal details like your full name, age, date of birth, and address. Why? They can use these details to take out loans or credit cards in your name. This is called identity theft.

What would someone be surprised to know about you?

I love to mountain bike, go on long hikes, and spend time in nature. My job involves working with a lot of screens. It’s important for me to be away from my computer and get outside.

Do you have any advice for our readers?

Don’t be afraid of trying things you’ve never done before. When I started in security, it was a new field. I had to figure a lot of things out on the way. Doing that can be scary sometimes. But it can also be rewarding.

How can teens stay safe online?

Slow down! Think before clicking. If you feel like something isn’t right, listen to your gut.