The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) and the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) have established a joint program to increase the representation of women in cybersecurity leadership positions globally. The announcement was made during Meet GCF New York, held on February 18 at the UN HQ, where GCF convened international leaders and diplomats to hear insights on addressing key opportunities and challenges in cyberspace.
According to GCF’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report, there is a shortage of 2.8 million cybersecurity professionals and women account for only 24% of the workforce. GCF’s research, Empowering Women to Work in Cybersecurity is a Win-Win, has also found that 22% of female STEM students could be drawn to a career in cybersecurity if provided with sufficient information and training. However, a lack of female mentors and sponsors remains a key barrier to entry.
Under the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber program announced today, USTTI, GCF, and partners from industry, civil society, and academia will deliver high-impact in-person global training programs for emerging female leaders in cybersecurity from across the world. The sessions will be held in the US and Saudi Arabia. These efforts will contribute to fostering a culture of cybersecurity while building a supportive community of professionals who inspire more women to enter the sector.
The Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber program supports the objectives of the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity initiative, instated by Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, crown prince and prime minister of Saudi Arabia, which seeks to strengthen global cyber resilience, addressing the shortage of cybersecurity professionals worldwide through efforts to empower more women in the sector.
“Our partnership with GCF aims to empower talented female professionals in advancing their careers and driving innovation in cybersecurity leadership roles,” said USTII CEO Jim O’Conner. “Through our world-class training, participants will gain the skills and expertise to advance their careers and inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.”
“We welcome this global partnership, uniting GCF with USTTI to advance women’s leadership in cybersecurity, foster cross-border knowledge sharing, and increase cyber resilience worldwide,” said GCF’s Alaa M. Alfaadhel. “Empowering women’s leadership in cyber is essential to addressing the global cybersecurity workforce shortage, where women remain significantly underrepresented, and to strengthening cyber resilience for all.”
