Collaboration launches inaugural Women Cyber Leaders Pre-Conference Workshop at 2023 ISC2 Security Congress
Alexandria, Va., September 26, 2023 – ISC2 – the world’s leading nonprofit member organization for cybersecurity professionals – today announced it is expanding its partnership with Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) to further drive the recruitment, advancement and retainment of women in the cybersecurity profession. The extended partnership includes a two-day Women Cyber Leaders Pre-Conference Workshop from October 23-24, taking place ahead of the 13th annual 2023 ISC2 Security Congress at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN.
Despite progress over the years, women represent only 30% of the global cybersecurity workforce under 30. Women are also severely underrepresented in leadership positions, with women making up 10% of C-level executives who are 50 or older and accounting for 35% of all executives in their 30s. As part of a wider diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) effort to further the representation of women in the cybersecurity profession, the Pre-Conference workshop provides the opportunity for women to develop the skills, confidence and mentorship needed to attain or sustain cyber leadership roles.
The workshop brings together a cohort of women cyber leaders to share insights with other cybersecurity professionals, including those looking to advance or become a leader in the profession. Workshop sessions are intended to educate and empower women, exploring topics including transitioning into leadership, emotional intelligence in the workplace, understanding unconscious bias and handling microaggressions.
ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso and WiCyS Executive Director Lynn Dohm will host a fireside chat alongside Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) CEO Mari Galloway to discuss their journeys to landing influential leadership roles. Participants will have the opportunity to share and hear personal experiences among professionals committed to supporting women in cyber leadership.
“We can all learn from the successes, and challenges experienced by women in cybersecurity,” said ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso, CC. “Through our workshop, we’re creating a safe space for women to talk openly about the challenges we’ve faced so we may lead with confidence in the future. Through our ongoing work with WiCyS, we want to encourage more women to take their seat at the table and grow their cybersecurity careers.”
“The pre-conference event at ISC2 is an opportunity for women to convene and form the ecosystem of career advancement support,” said Lynn Dohm, WiCyS executive director. “Through this two-day event, skills will be leveled up, knowledge will be shared and, most importantly, like-minded women in cybersecurity will form a strong bond, strengthening their network moving forward. This community is not only necessary for personal and professional growth but also one that brings an absolute critical component to the cybersecurity workforce — diversity of thought.”
ISC2 and WiCyS have a shared commitment to inspire, support and advance women in cybersecurity globally. Both organizations previously collaborated on their programs, the Certified in Cybersecurity Summer and Winter Camps, aimed at helping women with entry into the field. Furthering ISC2’s commitment to ensuring the representation of women in cyber, scholarships to the WiCys conference were also provided to those who completed the camps. Together, the organizations are helping underrepresented populations to have greater accessibility to cybersecurity educational resources and certifications.
ISC2’s initiatives are part of its wider DEI Strategic Plan, which outlines the organization’s commitment to driving the representation of underrepresented groups in cybersecurity. This includes increasing the number of women who engage with the organization, including speakers and professional development participants, as well as increasing the number of women in leadership roles to ensure equal representation.
At the upcoming 2023 ISC2 Security Congress, there is a 40% increase in women cyber leaders speaking at the conference, compared with the previous year. More than 35 influential women will host and lead sessions, including women of color and advocates for diversity and inclusion in the security industry from the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu, CyberSafe Foundation and WOMCY LATAM Women in Cybersecurity.
To register for the Women Cyber Leaders Pre-Conference Workshops, please visit here.
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About ISC2
ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 500,000 members, candidates and associates around the globe are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educate those most vulnerable. Learn more and get involved at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About WiCyS
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is a nonprofit organization with international reach dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity. Founded by Dr. Ambareen Siraj from Tennessee Tech University through a National Science Foundation grant in 2013, WiCyS offers opportunities, trainings, events, and resources for its members. Strategic partners include Tier 1: Akamai Technologies, Amazon, AT&T Cybersecurity, Battelle, Bloomberg, Carnegie Mellon University – Software Engineering Institute, Cisco, Ford Motor Company, Fortinet, Google, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Optum, Sandia National Laboratories, SentinelOne. Tier 2: Accenture, DeVry University, Intel, JPMorgan Chase & Co., LinkedIn, McKesson Corporation, Motorola Solutions, NCC Group, Navy Federal Credit Union, Nike, Workday, Yubico Inc. To partner, visit http://www.wicys.org/support/strategic-partnerships/.
© 2023 ISC2 Inc., ISC2, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CGRC, CSSLP, HCISPP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSEP, CISSP-ISSMP and CBK are registered marks, and CC is a service mark of ISC2, Inc.
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