Inside the Journey: Growing with a Cybersecurity Startup in the UAE

Meet Shamsa, our Digital Transformation Consultant who’s passionate about turning ideas into impact.

When you picture life inside a cybersecurity startup, you might imagine a fast-paced, high-pressure environment filled with technical jargon and tight deadlines. But for Shamsa Barlas, every day tells a very different story. One centred on trust, growth, and human connection.

Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: a good manager is a ladder their team can climb, not a wall that creates hurdles.

It’s a mindset that has guided her journey from taking a career break to becoming one of the driving forces behind Agile’s collaborative, people-first culture.

Finding Purpose After a Pause

Shamsa’s story began with a pause and a period of reflection. After spending more than a year and a half focusing on her family, she started thinking about what she truly wanted from her career. She knew she wanted to return to something meaningful, something that would help shape the future.

That search for purpose led her to the UAE, a region rapidly becoming a global hub for technology and innovation. Among the many industries transforming the landscape, one field stood out to her: cybersecurity. Constantly evolving, critical to every business, and deeply impactful, it aligned perfectly with her desire to make a difference.

Joining a startup like Agile ManageX was a deliberate choice.
“Startups give you ownership,” she explains. “You get the space to build, experiment, and make real impact, and that’s exactly what I wanted.”

The First Day Surprise

Stepping into the world of tech, Shamsa expected a serious, corporate atmosphere. Instead, she found warmth, openness, and collaboration. On her very first day, she was invited to share her input on an ongoing project, an early sign that Agile was a place where every voice mattered.

That first impression set the tone for everything that followed.

A Culture of Ambition with Empathy

When describing Agile’s culture, Shamsa calls it “ambition with empathy.” The drive for innovation is undeniable, but it’s paired with a genuine care for people. The balance between performance and compassion, she says, is what makes the company unique.

“It’s like trying to build a Titanic with the limited resources of a boat,” she laughs, “but making sure no one gets left behind.”

Values That Drive Every Day

Three words define Agile’s culture: ownership, adaptability, and trust.

Employees are empowered to take charge of their work, adapt quickly when priorities shift, and count on their teams for support. That environment, Shamsa notes, keeps people both motivated and confident.

One Team, One Vision

Agile’s strength lies in its unity. Departments collaborate seamlessly. Marketing with sales, sales with tech, and tech with product. There are no walls, only shared goals.

Shamsa recalls one defining moment during a live client demo that ran into a technical glitch. Instead of panic or blame, everyone immediately jumped into action, the tech team troubleshooting, sales managing communication, and marketing providing backup.

The demo ended successfully, and the client was impressed not by perfection, but by the team’s composure and coordination.

“That’s when I realized the teamwork here isn’t just talk, it’s real,” she says.

A Place That Encourages Growth

At Agile, growth isn’t just about job titles or promotions. Learning and personal development are part of everyday life here. People are encouraged to share ideas, try new things, and make mistakes, because every challenge is seen as a chance to learn and move forward.

Emotional well-being sessions, skill development opportunities, and mentorship are all integral parts of this environment. “That freedom to learn and try new things helps you grow faster than you’d expect,” says Shamsa.

Growing Personally and Professionally

Since joining Agile, Shamsa’s journey has been transformative. What began as a role with limited experience in sales and business development has evolved into leading multiple departments, handling client projects, and mentoring others.

She credits that growth to the trust and exposure she received along the way. “I’ve become more confident, braver, and more vocal about my ideas,” she says. “That’s what a supportive culture does, it helps you discover the best version of yourself.”

Purpose That Fuels Motivation

For Shamsa, motivation comes from the larger mission behind the work. Cybersecurity, she believes, is more than just technology, it’s about protecting people, businesses, and communities. Knowing that her efforts contribute to something that meaningful keeps her driven.

Leadership That Leads from the Front

Strong leadership has played a vital role in shaping Agile’s identity. Shamsa describes Agile’s leaders as approachable, hands-on, and deeply invested in their teams. Whether it’s staying late to brainstorm or celebrating small wins, they lead by example, not from behind closed doors.

“Those everyday gestures mean more than any formal policy,” she says. “They’re what make people stay and grow.”

A Moment That Defined the Culture

One of Shamsa’s favourite memories was preparing for a major industry expo. Teams from marketing, tech, and sales came together with one goal. To make it a success. Even the CEO joined in the hands-on setup, embodying the company’s spirit of shared effort.

“No one said, ‘That’s not my job,’” she recalls. “That moment summed up what Agile is about. Teamwork in its purest form.”

Looking Ahead

As Agile ManageX Technologies continues to grow, Shamsa feels confident that the company’s foundation, built on trust, agility, and openness, will only get stronger. She knows that as the company scales, more structure and processes will come naturally, but she believes the spirit that makes Agile special will always stay the same.

Shaping the Future Together

At Agile ManageX Technologies, every role is more than just a job. It’s a journey filled with learning, collaboration, and purpose. For Shamsa, that journey grows every day, driven by curiosity and a shared mission to make a real difference in the world of cybersecurity.

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