While March 8 is recognized as International Women’s Day, there’s no need to limit the celebrations to a single day of the year. There are many organizations that are dedicated and working year round to support women in technical fields like cybersecurity.
Here we’ve collected top resources, organizations, and training from the SANS Institute, our partners, and beyond – all of which were created with a focus on women.
Organizations Devoted to Training, Scholarships, and Community
Here are some top training programs from SANS and partners that are dedicated to women and diversity in the cybersecurity field (in no particular order).
- SANS Women’s Cyber Academy – A United States Cyber Academy program, geared toward closing the skills gap and growing representation of women in cybersecurity. Next application window opens June 1, 2024.
- Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) – A US-based non-profit with the mission to recruit, retain, and advance women in cybersecurity to build a robust and diverse cybersecurity workforce. Find information about its UK affiliate here and here.
- Cyversity – A non-profit with the mission to achieve the consistent representation of women, underrepresented communities, and all veterans in the cybersecurity industry through programs designed to diversity, educate, and empower.
- Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) – A National 501©3 non-profit community focused on empowering women to succeed in the cybersecurity industry.
- ReDI School of Digital Integration Denmark – A non-profit organizations dedicated to empowering women and non-binary people with refugee and migrant backgrounds.
- Women in Cyber Wales – An organization with the main aim to connect women with an interest in cybersecurity with each other.
- Women4Cyber – A non-profit European private foundation with the objective to promote, encourage, and support the participation of women in the field of cybersecurity.
- Million Women Mentors – A network dedicated to encouraging girls and women around the world to pursue, persist, and succeed in STEM careers.
- The Diana Initiative – A conference committed to helping all those underrepresented in Information Security. Next conference date is Monday, August 5, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- ACM’s Women in Computing (ACM-W) – An organization advocating international for the full engagement of women in all aspects of the computing field.
- Women in Technology International (WITI) – Since 1989, WITI’s mission has been in fostering relationships and community, cultivating professional growth and boosting competitiveness. In 2023, WITI merged with Criterion Research to become the new WITI: Workforce Innovation, Trust and Influence.
- Women in Cyber Security Middle East – A group with the aim of promoting and increasing women participation in the field of cyber security.
- CybHER – An organization with the mission to empower, motivate, educate, and change the perception of girls and women in cybersecurity.
- STEM for Her – An organization focused on promoting education to create awareness, excitement, and opportunities among girls and young women to launch successful STEM-related careers.
- National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) – A far-reaching network of change leaders focused on advancing innovation by correcting underrepresentation in computing.
- ISACA Foundation – A foundation advancing equity in the cybersecurity and IT audit professions.
- Black Girls in Cybersecurity – A non-profit that helps women of color transition into cybersecurity, privacy, and STEM careers.
- BlackGirlsHack – An organization offering training programs that were created to help increase diversity in cybersecurity by helping to bridge the gap between what is taught in educational institutions and what is necessary for careers in cybersecurity.
- Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) – A non-profit with the mission to advance women and underrepresented communities to lead the future of privacy and security.
- Women Who Code – An organization providing resources, communities, and support to empower women to excel in technology careers.
- Secure Diversity - A non-profit organization with leaders that think out of the box to create strategies & solutions to increase diversity in the cybersecurity industry. SANS Institute partnered with Secure Diversity in April, 2022 to create a leadership academy in cybersecurity for women and underrepresented genders.
- Last Mile Education Fund (LMEF) - A unique scholarship program that invests in a broad group of students who have already committed to technology and engineering fields, providing support for challenges they face beyond their control, and incubating them to be the next generation of innovators.
- Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst - A partner of SANS Institute based in Canada that offers multiple programs focused on bringing more women into cybersecurity, from high school age students, to reskilling career changers, upskilling those in IT, and developing women executive leaders in cyber.
- Girl Security - An organization working to advance the full participation of girls, young women, and gender minorities (ages 14-26) in national security, in order to ensure a more equitable security future for the US and global community.
- Breaking Barriers Women in CyberSecurity (BBWIC) - A group with the vision to cultivate a future where women in cybersecurity globally lead with confidence, collaborate seamlessly, and inspire lasting impact in the ever-evolving industry.
BONUS CONTENT - Blogs, Newsletters, and Video Streams
There’s been so much inspiring content produced over the past several years in celebration of women, that it’s hard to capture them all. Here are some of our favorite pieces from SANS and other media outlets, again, in no particular order.
- Anyone Can Start a Career in Cybersecurity – by Lodrina Cherne
- Cyber Heroines: African Women in Cyber Defense – by Jennifer E. Santiago
- Women Influence in InfoSec is on the Rise (and That’s a Good Thing) – by Deb Radcliff
- Resources for Women Getting Started in Cybersecurity – by Lance Spitzner
- SANS + International Women’s Day | Women Lifting Women – by Jennifer E. Santiago
- SANS Women in Cybersecurity Presentation – You Are the Prize: How to Hire the Right Boss and Employer for a More Fulfilling Career – by Info Steph
- BIPOC in Cybersecurity Forum: From Inclusion to Equity 2020 – by Camille Stewart
- Marie Claire – Move into the world of cyber security, build a future and make a difference
- ECMEA - Women in Technology feature on SANS Instructor Megan Roddie
- Forward Together: Women in Cyber Leading Change – Moderator Delisha Hodo (watch below)
