Cyber Light Society’s Post

On 26 September 2024, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) co-hosted the Women in Cyber Diplomacy Meeting with Diplomáticas ALC en Bruselas in Brussels, bringing together a remarkable group of women diplomats from the LAC region. The meeting focused on fostering cross-regional collaboration to advance gender mainstreaming in cybersecurity across the Global South. During the meeting, Luanda Domi, our Gender Mainstreaming and Cyber Skills Development Manager, presented the Women in Cyber Capacity Building Network (WiCCB) and how it is working to increase gender diversity in cybersecurity, enhance cyber skills development, and create a more inclusive global cyber ecosystem. This event served as a follow-up to the WiCCB session in Washington, D.C., titled Actionable Pathways for Gender Mainstreaming in Cybersecurity, where we discussed strategies for securing investment in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly in under-resourced regions, and addressed the challenges of attracting and retaining women in the cybersecurity workforce. The Brussels discussion focused on how these strategies could be applied to the LAC region and the Global South. The event featured Cristina Camacho, Minister of Ecuador’s Mission to the EU & Chair of the GFCE Foundation Board and Yulia Stark, President of the European Women Association, who provided valuable insights on advancing gender inclusion in cyber diplomacy and entrepreneurship. This event was a significant step towards building stronger, more inclusive cybersecurity frameworks through the lens of diplomacy and cross-regional partnerships. We look forward to continuing these efforts with our partners across the LAC region and globally. #WiCCB #WomenInCyberCapacityBuildingNetwork # #LACRegion #CyberSecurity #GenderInclusion #CyberSecurity

Her CyberTracks is being offered specifically to women residing in targeted countries in Africa and Europe/CIS regions. With an approach concentrating on regional participation, the programme aims to provide women with support in their local cybersecurity communities. A limited number of sponsorships are available per region to support participants in their travels to on-site formats (e.g. face-to-face trainings and networking meetings). Target countries: Europe/CIS: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine. Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. https://lnkd.in/d8wc_aDd

As we commemorate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it is imperative to underscore the critical role that African nations must play in bolstering their regional cybersecurity standing. In a world increasingly interconnected and reliant on digital technology, safeguarding our cyberspace is paramount to our socio-economic development and regional security. Additionally, the African Union's Agenda 2063, a blueprint for the continent's development, emphasizes the importance of building a knowledge-based economy and fostering innovation. Cybersecurity is a fundamental pillar of this vision. By investing in robust cybersecurity infrastructure and developing a skilled workforce, African nations can create a conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. It is important to note that a strong cybersecurity posture is essential for protecting critical infrastructure, such as power grids, transportation systems, and financial institutions. Cyberattacks can have devastating consequences, leading to disruptions in essential services, economic losses, and even political instability. By working together, African nations can share best practices, intelligence, and resources to mitigate cyber threats and ensure the resilience of their economies. The spirit of ubuntu extends to the fifth domain - cyberspace. The field of cybersecurity offers a wealth of opportunities for women, particularly those seeking flexible work arrangements. Many cybersecurity roles can be performed remotely, making it an ideal profession for young women starting families. However, there remains a significant gender gap in the industry due to limited access to training and education. To address the skills shortage in cybersecurity, it is essential to inspire young people to pursue careers in this field. There are numerous online resources and free courses available that can provide a solid foundation in cybersecurity and emerging technology concepts, that can be accessed by a simple web search. By investing in cybersecurity, African nations can protect their digital sovereignty, promote economic growth, and enhance regional security. Let us unite in our efforts to build a more resilient and prosperous Africa. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth #AfricanUnity #DigitalSovereignty #WomenInTech #CybersecurityTraining #AUAgenda63 #CybersecurityLawyer #WTM

#DPA is proud to support Team Europe at the Kunoichi Cyber Games 2024! 🌐 We’re excited to announce that Team Europe will be competing in the Kunoichi Cyber Games on November 14-15, 2024, as part of the Code Blue Conference in Tokyo! This prestigious event is dedicated to showcasing and empowering women in cybersecurity, celebrating their skills in an industry where diversity and inclusion are essential. 🏆 About the Kunoichi Cyber Games: *   Named after “Kunoichi,” or female ninja, this international competition highlights the role of women in cybersecurity, encouraging growth and collaboration within a traditionally male-dominated field. *   Supported under the EU-Japan Digital Partnership, the event also aligns with shared objectives to bridge cybersecurity skill gaps and promote global cooperation. 👥 Meet Team Europe: Five skilled cybersecurity professionals from across Europe, with support from ENISA, will represent the EU, bringing their talent and teamwork to the global stage. We’re honored to support Team Europe’s participation through the EU Delegation to Japan and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and look forward to contribute advancing digital resilience across borders, which is a key area of focus of the EU Digital Partnerships. #KunoichiCyberGames #TeamEurope #WomenInCybersecurity #CodeBlueConference #DigitalPartnership #CyberSecurity #DigitalPartnerships #DPA For more info about the event: https://lnkd.in/g-Bj-YZv EU Digital & Tech EU Science, Research and Innovation European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) EPRD Ltd. Inspiring Futures Gianluca Misuraca Karl McFaul Peter Fatelnig AI4Gov_EU Re-Imagine Europa EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation Japan Business Council in Europe Europe Asia Business Council EU Cyber Direct – EU Cyber Diplomacy Initiative

Did you know that as of 2023, women comprised less than 26% of the global cybersecurity workforce? Key barriers to women entering this male-dominated field include unequal access to training opportunities, a lack of strong female role models, and low awareness of exciting career options in cybersecurity. 🚀 Thus excited to share an amazing opportunity for #women in #cybersecurity! https://lnkd.in/eThyEwej #HerCyberTracks 2024 an incredible initiative organized by ITU, UNODC, and GIZ, is here to empower women in the field from Europe (Eastern Partnership countries and Western Balkans) and African countries.  It offers a tailored learning journey for women with three specialized tracks: 📌#CyberPolicy & #Diplomacy 📌#Incident Management 📌#Cybercrime You can apply either as a participant or as a mentor until Wednesday, May 15th. 👉 Apply here to become a participant: https://lnkd.in/dh22kdei 👉 Apply here to become a mentor: https://lnkd.in/dDPdgd-j #HerCyberTracks2024

📢 Partnership update! 🚀   As part of the Joint Declaration between ITU and USAID to promote gender equity and inclusion in cybersecurity across Asia and the Pacific, we're thrilled to highlight the release of USAID’s final report on women’s participation in Southeast Asia’s cybersecurity sector. 👩💻🌏   Covering Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, and Thailand, this report delves into the current cybersecurity workforce, identifies key gaps, and offers recommendations to prepare these five countries for the future of cybersecurity. It also highlights women's vital role in the sector across these diverse geographies. 💼🔒   🔗 Access the full report on [Final Report on Women’s Participation in Southeast Asia’s Cybersecurity Sector here at (https://lnkd.in/gsRdmZQS)   🔍 Learn more about the ITU and USAID Joint Declaration here: - ITU at https://lnkd.in/gUjq8TAM - USAID at https://lnkd.in/guXF9mAG International Telecommunication Union | USAID | Atsuko Okuda, Ph.D | Kishore Babu Yerraballa | Calvin Chan |

Isabella Santos: "H4Diplomacy gave me a greater understanding of what I want to do. I now know without a doubt that a career with the Department of State is what I want to do; and I now have the pathway by which to do it." If you're a university student considering taking Hacking for Defense® (H4D) Hacking for Diplomacy or Hacking for Homeland Security (H4HS) -- or you're a government official wondering how to recruit a new generation of talent -- there is no better explanation of these programs than Isabella's: https://lnkd.in/gwRGmHf4 Hats off to Vanessa Zabala Cooper Hoffmeyer Gharun Lacy Tamika Abbott Fiona Meghan Twomey Doug Briller Andrew McHale, JD Ron Stuart, Anthony Hickey, Dan Bergin, Richard Ferrel, and many more for making H4Diplomacy possible!

Tomorrow Is Late! We're connecting people and ideas once more, this time inviting the forefront of technology and cyber diplomacy to the CIP Forum VII 2024 - International Forum on Critical Infrastructure Protection and Cyber Diplomacy in Romania 🇷🇴. 📅 Dates: April 16-17-18, 2024 📍 Location: Parliament Palace, Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴 🌟 Event Highlights: * Global threats & cooperation for protecting critical infrastructures in our interconnected world. * The practical role of innovative technologies in safeguarding critical infrastructures. * Examining our reliance on critical space infrastructures and its wide-reaching implications. * The pivotal role of cyber diplomacy and relations. 🔍 Why Attend? A gathering of industry leaders to enact pivotal changes in critical infrastructure protection. 👥 Who Should Attend? Technologists, industry leaders, academics, bureaucrats, diplomats, investors, and students involved or interested in technology should not miss out. 🚀 The protection of critical infrastructures against emerging cyber threats is more vital than ever in our rapidly digitalizing world. For more details, contact us at info@paraph.io #TomorrowIsLate

🚀 Transforming Lives Across Africa! 🚀 Our journey towards inclusive and safe digital access in Africa continues to gain momentum! In 2023, we've empowered thousands through our initiatives, creating lasting change in underrepresented communities. I am personally inspired by the following achievements: - Powerful success stories not just of our alumni landing employment but also of those creating jobs by chasing their cybersecurity entrepreneurship dreams. - Global training partnerships with Infosec, arcX, Hack The Box, ISC2, Security Blue Team, Microsoft, EC-Council, ISACA, PolicyWizard, etc. - Partnership with the CCISONFI to drive cybersecurity awareness to millions of Nigerians. - Equipping 59,900 women and girls with digital skills, driving economic independence and resilience through our DigiGirls initiative. Strategic collaborations with global organizations like Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and features by The World Bank Group , expanding our reach and enhancing impact. 🙌 Join us in celebrating these achievements and read more about our impactful work in our 2023 Impact Report. #Cybersecurity #informationsecurity #africa

📢 Partnership update! 🚀   As part of the Joint Declaration between ITU and USAID to promote gender equity and inclusion in cybersecurity across Asia and the Pacific, we're thrilled to highlight the release of USAID’s final report on women’s participation in Southeast Asia’s cybersecurity sector. 👩💻🌏   Covering Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, and Thailand, this report delves into the current cybersecurity workforce, identifies key gaps, and offers recommendations to prepare these five countries for the future of cybersecurity. It also highlights women's vital role in the sector across these diverse geographies. 💼🔒   🔗 Access the full report on [Final Report on Women’s Participation in Southeast Asia’s Cybersecurity Sector here at (https://lnkd.in/gsRdmZQS)   🔍 Learn more about the ITU and USAID Joint Declaration here: - ITU at https://lnkd.in/gUjq8TAM - USAID at https://lnkd.in/guXF9mAG