Latest news with #WiCSME
Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Women in cybersecurity battle culture, gaps in access, work bias
Women in the UAE face multiple challenges in the cybersecurity field, including cultural, informational, and work environment issues. This was revealed by women cybersecurity professionals during the FutureSec 2025 conference, organised by the Khaleej Times, on Wednesday. Irene Corpuz, founding partner of Women in Cybersecurity Middle East (WiCSME), said women's participation is increasing in government entities. 'Globally, women in the cybersecurity field have now doubled to 25 per cent from around 12 per cent in 2012. But remember, there are those women who experienced burnout and left the organisation. In Dubai, I work with government entities and I can see a lot of women in this field. In one of the Dubai government entities where I work, there are more women on my team than men because they have an Emiratisation programme. "Secondly, they even have KPIs for women in cybersecurity and they are encouraging empowerment for women. You can see how many women ministers ministers are there in the UAE, so it's coming from the leadership,' she said on the sidelines of the conference. She added that WiCSME supports women and young students in capacity building, mentorship, training, internship and partnership. Founded by seven partners from Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the rest from the UAE. The group now has almost 3,000 members, ranging from students to housewives to accountants, who are interested in transitioning to cybersecurity. The group's latest programme, Cybersheet, will empower around 1,500 women for three years in the region through collaboration with partners. Break the wheel While sharing her personal experiences and suggestions, Leen Alhalabi, associate principal cybersecurity consultant at Dragos, said that it is very challenging for women to work in rural areas and offshore platforms because the facilities are not women-friendly. 'We need to break the wheel. Unless that wheel is broken, we can only then start to see more women entering this field. We call out the major players within the ICS industry; please work with us to standardise the site environments, not only in terms of safety and efficiency but also to make them more women-friendly and welcoming, to make us inclusive,' she added. She called for empowering more women to enter this field through meetings, leading discussions, and even engagement. 'I would like to ask companies and organisations to provide more guidance for female graduates.' Badreya AlMehairi, senior assistant vice president of senior data privacy at Mashreq Bank, pointed out that a lack of information and cultural issues were some of the biggest initial challenges she faced when trying to fulfil her dream of studying and working in the IT field. However, she said that after the AI entered her life, it became much easier to find information and made it faster to read and understand.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EC-Council continues its initiative-driven momentum
Following its launch in Kuwait, CyberSHE will expand to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar Kuwait: The cybersecurity industry continues to evolve rapidly, demanding a skilled and diverse talent pipeline to address growing threats. In a strategic effort to expand access to world-class cybersecurity education across the Middle East, EC-Council, the global leader in cybersecurity training and the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, has partnered with CyberSHE to deliver impactful technical training and career development opportunities for aspiring women professionals across the region. CyberSHE, an initiative by Women in CyberSecurity Middle East (WiCSME), was launched at Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST). The initiative brings together leaders from government, academia, and industry to deliver focused training, mentorship, and structured career pathways for women seeking to build technical capability and pursue careers in cybersecurity. By equipping more women with cutting-edge skills, the program is helping to unlock new perspectives and build stronger, more inclusive cyber teams across the region. 'Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, and the Middle East holds extraordinary untapped potential. At EC-Council, we see education as a catalyst for transformation. Through CyberSHE, we are opening the door to global-standard training, mentorship, and new career pathways for women across the region. This initiative represents the kind of purposeful collaboration that creates lasting opportunity. We are honored to support it, and we believe it is just the beginning of a much larger movement to shape the future of cyber talent in the region.' said Jay Bavisi, Group President, EC-Council CyberSHE is a four-week program built around EC-Council's internationally respected certifications. Participants undertake technical training through the Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT), Certified Network Defender (CND), and Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) programs. The hands-on, lab-driven curriculum is delivered over three weeks and is followed by a structured set of career-readiness modules that include mentorship, soft skills development, and industry insights. Dr. Reem Faraj AlShammari, Chairperson of WiCSME, added: 'CyberSHE is more than just a program, it represents the power of collective efforts in action. Through CyberSHE, we are uniting key pillars of our society to create a generation of empowered, job-ready women professionals in cybersecurity. By building skilled workforce, the program is directly boosting the National Cyber readiness (Strategic Workforce Development), and is strategically positioned to improve the entire region's Global Cybersecurity Index rankings.' Following its launch in Kuwait, CyberSHE will expand to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar. Over the next three years, the program aims to train 1,500 women, helping to strengthen national cyber capabilities and promote more inclusive workforce participation. This partnership reflects EC-Council's global mission to make cybersecurity education accessible, relevant, and transformative. By supporting initiatives like CyberSHE, EC-Council continues to shape pathways that empower women, elevate careers, and contribute to a safer digital future. About EC-Council: EC-Council is the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program and a leader in cybersecurity education. Founded in 2001, EC-Council's mission is to provide high-quality training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals to keep organizations safe from cyber threats. EC-Council offers over 200 certifications and degrees in various cybersecurity domains, including forensics, security analysis, threat intelligence, and information security. An ISO/IEC 17024 accredited organization, EC-Council has certified over 350,000 professionals worldwide, with clients ranging from government agencies to Fortune 100 companies. EC-Council is the gold standard in cybersecurity certification, trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and leading global corporations.
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EC-Council continues its initiative-driven momentum, supporting CyberSHE to strengthen women's participation in cybersecurity
Kuwait: The cybersecurity industry continues to evolve rapidly, demanding a skilled and diverse talent pipeline to address growing threats. In a strategic effort to expand access to world-class cybersecurity education across the Middle East, EC-Council, the global leader in cybersecurity training and the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, has partnered with CyberSHE to deliver impactful technical training and career development opportunities for aspiring women professionals across the region. CyberSHE, an initiative by Women in CyberSecurity Middle East (WiCSME), was launched at Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST). The initiative brings together leaders from government, academia, and industry to deliver focused training, mentorship, and structured career pathways for women seeking to build technical capability and pursue careers in cybersecurity. By equipping more women with cutting-edge skills, the program is helping to unlock new perspectives and build stronger, more inclusive cyber teams across the region. 'Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, and the Middle East holds extraordinary untapped potential. At EC-Council, we see education as a catalyst for transformation. Through CyberSHE, we are opening the door to global-standard training, mentorship, and new career pathways for women across the region. This initiative represents the kind of purposeful collaboration that creates lasting opportunity. We are honored to support it, and we believe it is just the beginning of a much larger movement to shape the future of cyber talent in the region.' said Jay Bavisi, Group President, EC-Council CyberSHE is a four-week program built around EC-Council's internationally respected certifications. Participants undertake technical training through the Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT), Certified Network Defender (CND), and Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) programs. The hands-on, lab-driven curriculum is delivered over three weeks and is followed by a structured set of career-readiness modules that include mentorship, soft skills development, and industry insights. Dr. Reem Faraj AlShammari, Chairperson of WiCSME, added: 'CyberSHE is more than just a program, it represents the power of collective efforts in action. Through CyberSHE, we are uniting key pillars of our society to create a generation of empowered, job-ready women professionals in cybersecurity. By building skilled workforce, the program is directly boosting the National Cyber readiness (Strategic Workforce Development), and is strategically positioned to improve the entire region's Global Cybersecurity Index rankings.' Following its launch in Kuwait, CyberSHE will expand to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar. Over the next three years, the program aims to train 1,500 women, helping to strengthen national cyber capabilities and promote more inclusive workforce participation. This partnership reflects EC-Council's global mission to make cybersecurity education accessible, relevant, and transformative. By supporting initiatives like CyberSHE, EC-Council continues to shape pathways that empower women, elevate careers, and contribute to a safer digital future. About EC-Council: EC-Council is the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program and a leader in cybersecurity education. Founded in 2001, EC-Council's mission is to provide high-quality training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals to keep organizations safe from cyber threats. EC-Council offers over 200 certifications and degrees in various cybersecurity domains, including forensics, security analysis, threat intelligence, and information security. An ISO/IEC 17024 accredited organization, EC-Council has certified over 350,000 professionals worldwide, with clients ranging from government agencies to Fortune 100 companies. EC-Council is the gold standard in cybersecurity certification, trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and leading global corporations. For more information, visit:
Mid East Info
12-06-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
EC-Council Continues Its Initiative-Driven Momentum, Supporting CyberSHE to Strengthen Women's Participation in Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity industry continues to evolve rapidly, demanding a skilled and diverse talent pipeline to address growing threats. In a strategic effort to expand access to world-class cybersecurity education across the Middle East, EC-Council, the global leader in cybersecurity training and the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, has partnered with CyberSHE to deliver impactful technical training and career development opportunities for aspiring women professionals across the region. CyberSHE, an initiative by Women in CyberSecurity Middle East (WiCSME), was launched at Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST). The initiative brings together leaders from government, academia, and industry to deliver focused training, mentorship, and structured career pathways for women seeking to build technical capability and pursue careers in cybersecurity. By equipping more women with cutting-edge skills, the program is helping to unlock new perspectives and build stronger, more inclusive cyber teams across the region. 'Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, and the Middle East holds extraordinary untapped potential. At EC-Council, we see education as a catalyst for transformation. Through CyberSHE, we are opening the door to global-standard training, mentorship, and new career pathways for women across the region. This initiative represents the kind of purposeful collaboration that creates lasting opportunity. We are honored to support it, and we believe it is just the beginning of a much larger movement to shape the future of cyber talent in the region,' said Jay Bavisi, Group President, EC-Council. CyberSHE is a four-week program built around EC-Council's internationally respected certifications. Participants undertake technical training through the Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT), Certified Network Defender (CND), and Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) programs. The hands-on, lab-driven curriculum is delivered over three weeks and is followed by a structured set of career-readiness modules that include mentorship, soft skills development, and industry insights. Dr. Reem Faraj AlShammari, Chairperson of WiCSME, added: 'CyberSHE is more than just a program, it represents the power of collective efforts in action. Through CyberSHE, we are uniting key pillars of our society to create a generation of empowered, job-ready women professionals in cybersecurity. By building skilled workforce, the program is directly boosting the National Cyber readiness (Strategic Workforce Development), and is strategically positioned to improve the entire region's Global Cybersecurity Index rankings.' Following its launch in Kuwait, CyberSHE will expand to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar. Over the next three years, the program aims to train 1,500 women, helping to strengthen national cyber capabilities and promote more inclusive workforce participation. This partnership reflects EC-Council's global mission to make cybersecurity education accessible, relevant, and transformative. By supporting initiatives like CyberSHE, EC-Council continues to shape pathways that empower women, elevate careers, and contribute to a safer digital future.
