To mark International Women’s Day, we are featuring a list of nonprofits in cybersecurity that are addressing big issues in the industry like the skills gap, increasing accessibility, cloud computing security, etc. We want to put a spotlight on amazing organizations that create better opportunities for women and women of color in cybersecurity.
To put into perspective just how crucial it is to support nonprofits championing diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity, the Women in Cybersecurity 2022 Report noted that women only hold 25% of cybersecurity jobs globally. The good news is that this is up from 20% in 2019, and around 10% in 2013. In 2021, ISC2 reported that minority representation sat at just around 26%. These types of numbers are a big part of why these nonprofit organizations exist and why you should support them!
So read up and go show them some love!
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) comprises women and allies from all around the world, brought together by their love for cybersecurity. It was established by Dr. Ambareen Siraj of Tennessee Tech University to make sure that all women/allies/advocates grow and gain professional skills in cybersecurity. They do this through programs, conferences, career fairs, and more.
SHe CISO Exec. is a sustainable global training and mentoring platform in information security and leadership
Black Girls in Cyber is all about the growth of #Blackgirlmagic in Cyber. They do this through mentorship, scholarship, training, events, and community outreach. They don’t just want to make sure that women of color gain the same opportunities as everyone else but also equip them with skills that can help their communities.
Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) is a nonprofit cybersecurity community advancing women in security careers since 2012 by promoting networking, education, mentoring, resource-sharing, and opportunities.
Cybersecurity Gatebreakers Foundation is in the business of closing the cybersecurity demand gap by providing free resources and guides to cybersecurity teams to have a better system for making use of great entry-level cybersecurity talent. They also aim to create a change in the mindset of hiring managers and leaders in cybersecurity, highlighting the importance of training, mentoring, and hiring new talent.
Raíces Cyber -focuses on empowering more people of color to join the industry. Their story is in their name, Raíces stands for Heritage and means Roots in Spanish. They picked the word as it shows their Hispanic roots. Raíces is an all-inclusive community where Hispanics, Latinos, and allies come together to encourage more diversity in cybersecurity.
Latinas in Cyber (LAIC) provides mentorship, career development opportunities, and support for women pursuing cybersecurity careers. According to the organization, only 2% of Latinas work in the U.S. cybersecurity industry. By mentoring, networking, supporting, and representing Latinas in cybersecurity, LAIC aspires to create an inclusive and equitable community.
The Women CyberSecurity Society (WCSS) is a networked community focused on providing support, resources, mentorship, guidance, and training. WCSS currently has seven chapters globally.
Girls Hack Village (mini-conference) was introduced at DEF CON 30 to highlight gender-diverse points of view of the work, challenges, triumphs, and issues facing women/girl hackers. The organization creates a space affecting girls in cybersecurity and includes talks, hands-on workshops, discussions, and panels. They also hold conferences that open the floor to talk more in-depth about how the lack of gender equality in the field affects the culture and experience of women in the industry.
Ladies of London Hacking Society provides opportunities for women of all skill levels to develop the technical skills critical for success in cybersecurity.
Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) focuses on education, mentoring and networking, advancement, and leadership.
The Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) started in 2015 to integrate women who felt isolated from organizations and tertiary education institutions with other people who have the same things in common. They inspire and educate women about security, and give them the tools they will need to get into the industry.
WiTCH (Women in Tech & Cyber Hub) volunteers work tirelessly to promote their mission – To make magic in cyber & tech by championing, empowering, and supporting women in order to revolutionize the industry. By providing community, support, and resources, they aim to catalyze transformative change and foster diversity to create a more inclusive and innovative future for all.
Women in Cyber Security Middle East is building and increasing a network of passionate female cybersecurity professionals in the Middle East and African countries.
Breaking Barriers Women in CyberSecurity (BBWIC) is on a mission to create opportunities for women to gain educational scholarships, participate in training programs for professional & personal development, and generate job and other learning opportunities for members via company/expert collaborations.
The Women’s Security Alliance (WomSA) provides mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the cybersecurity workforce. The alliance was founded by well-known UK women in cyber.
CErcle des Femmes de la CYberSécurité (CEFSYS) offers webinars, masterclasses, and exclusive events as well as the opportunity to participate in specialized cybersecurity mentoring programs as a mentor or mentee.
CybHER is all about providing resources for girls from middle school through college programs and into professional careers. While CybHER’s mission is to promote STEM and technology for females, CybHER is open to everyone.
Women Leading Privacy is where many of today’s top privacy professionals come to give and get career support, to help advance women in the field, and to expand their personal and professional networks with a slew of opportunities created just for them.
Cyversity aims to increase the representation of women and minorities in the industry through empowerment, networking, and creating long-lasting relationships with people who have the same dreams and aspirations as them.
The Diana Initiative celebrates diversity and supports women, and provides scholarships to students through their annual conference.
Women4Cyber has a mission to identify and link the community through contacts, visibility, and networking. They also want to develop and grow the community and shape local, national, and EU policy and actions with the support of the Women4Cyber network.
Executive Women’s Forum (EWF) provides education, mentorship, and leadership development programs for women at every level of their careers as well as a national conference attended by over 500 emerging and accomplished leaders.
Youth for Technology created a program called Girls4Tech to motivate young girls to pursue STEM careers through a fun, engaging curriculum that includes topics such as encryption, biometrics, fraud detection, and more.
Girl Scouts Cyber Security Patch and Game Program is a program and game that teaches Girl Scout Juniors (ages 9-11) how to safely and defensively navigate the internet.
Girls Go CyberStart Initiative encourages high school girls to explore career opportunities in the cybersecurity field as well as join the global cybersecurity community by creating a platform where they can focus on creative thinking and problem-solving in a safe environment.
InfoSecGirls aims to get more women interested in information security by encouraging them to get involved in cyber events like security conferences & community meet-ups.
League of Women in Cybersecurity (LoWiCyS) focuses on increasing the presence of women in the cybersecurity workforce. Their focus areas include low-cost, hands-on cybersecurity education, real-world experience, workforce re-entry support, and mentoring.
SANS CyberTalent Immersion Academy for Women is a training program that provides training and certifications to quickly and effectively launch careers for women in cybersecurity. They are scholarship-based, at no cost to participants.
SEIDEA – BME Women In Cybersecurity aims to close the cybersecurity gender gap faced by black and other minority women through community projects, events, and campaigns.
Uniting Women in Cyber hosts multiple events that unite women in cyber, and they also celebrate female leaders in cybersecurity.
WOMCY – LATAM Women in Cybersecurity is a non-profit organization made up of women with a focus on the development of Cybersecurity.
Women in Defense (WID) supports the advancement and recognition of women in all aspects of national security. In 2004, Women In Defense became a proud affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).
Women In Technology (WIT) has about 20,000 members in Georgia, 48,000 members worldwide, and a team of more than 250 volunteers delivering professional development and networking opportunities to more than 4,000 students for free.
Please get out there and show support for these organizations and their amazing work! If you’re aware of a nonprofit that’s not included on our list, or if you represent one yourself, please send the organization’s name, description, and website address to jen [at] cybersecuritymarketingsociety [dot] com and we’ll get them added to the list.
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