I’ve already mentioned the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) initiative in the United States and its focus on recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in the field through professional development programs, mentorship, and conferences. Similarly, Craig Newmark’s Foundation has invested in programs such as Black Girls Hack, Girls Who Code, and VetsinTech, which focus on training and supporting women and underrepresented groups in cybersecurity.
In Canada, the Women CyberSecurity Society (WCS2) offers flexible training options, scholarships, job placement services, and community support to help women enter and excel in cybersecurity. Within the European Union, Women4Cyber promotes gender balance in cybersecurity by creating a registry of European women in the field, offering mentorship programs, and organizing conferences.
Mattingly concluded, with a piece of advice that I think is spot-on for CISOs, CIOs, and all who are currently in the world of cybersecurity: “The door is open, but we must do more to help young women walk through it confidently. That means starting earlier, providing the right support, and ensuring they see cybersecurity as an equally promising and rewarding career path.”
