2025 Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Cybersecurity

2025-02-06

The 2025 Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards, organized by Eskenzi PR, promises to be an extraordinary event, honoring exceptional women in the cybersecurity field. The announcement of the shortlist marks a milestone in the awards’ history, with over 250 nominations received, the highest number since the awards began in 2020. This year, for the first time, the shortlist is being unveiled ahead of the event, which will culminate in an exclusive ceremony at the BT Tower in London on February 26, 2025.

The awards aim to recognize women from diverse backgrounds who have made remarkable contributions to cybersecurity. By partnering with leading community groups, including LT Harper’s InClusive InCyber, WiCyS UK & Ireland, WiTCH, and CyBlack, the awards have widened their reach and celebrated the achievements of women from across the globe. The event is free to attend for those shortlisted, thanks to the generous support of sponsors like KnowBe4, BT, Mimecast, Bridewell, Varonis, Certes, and Pentest-Tools.

Yvonne Eskenzi, Co-Founder of Eskenzi PR, expressed her excitement about the overwhelming response, stating that judging the nominees was an incredibly challenging task. The ceremony will feature a networking event, panel discussions, and keynote addresses from industry leaders.

Shortlisted Nominees:

The following women have made it to the 2025 shortlist, showcasing their dedication, leadership, and expertise in the cybersecurity industry:

Didar Gelici, Security Leader at SHe CISO Exec

– Rafah Knight, CEO and Founder at SecureAI

Dr. Valerie Lyons, Chief Operations Officer at BH Consulting
Sophia McCall, Strategic Threat Intelligence Lead at NCC Group
Sharan Kaur Kambo, Cyber Security Sales Specialist at BT
Mamoona Asghar, Lecturer (ATB) at the University of Galway
Kelly Onu, Senior Cybersecurity Engineer at Ernst & Young LLP
Tammi Robson, Director of Information Security and Technology at The Labour Party
Danu Sivapalan, Senior Product Manager, Identity & Access Management, at Sainsbury’s

– Anastasiia Ostravska, Co-Founder & CEO of

The winners will be chosen by a panel of cybersecurity experts and revealed at the awards ceremony.

What Undercode Says:

The “Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards” holds significant value for the cybersecurity industry, particularly at a time when the sector is experiencing an acute shortage of skilled professionals, and women remain underrepresented. The awards play a crucial role in spotlighting the exceptional women who are leading the charge in cybersecurity, breaking barriers, and making lasting contributions.

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, diversity is key to ensuring innovative solutions to complex challenges. Women, particularly those from diverse and intersectional backgrounds, bring unique perspectives to the field. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also serve to inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in cybersecurity. The inclusion of a broad range of nominees from various backgrounds highlights the growing recognition of the importance of diverse representation in the industry.

Another notable aspect is the collaboration with prominent organizations such as WiCyS UK & Ireland, CyBlack, and InClusive InCyber. These partnerships extend the awards’ reach and ensure that they are not only inclusive but also global. With the support of such community-driven groups, the awards amplify the voices of women who might otherwise go unnoticed.

By highlighting individuals like Rafah Knight, CEO of SecureAI, and Dr. Valerie Lyons, COO at BH Consulting, the awards remind the industry of the incredible leadership, innovation, and dedication women bring to cybersecurity. Many of the nominees hold critical roles in organizations that shape cybersecurity strategy, ensuring that the industry evolves to meet ever-growing threats. Whether leading high-stakes security operations, developing cutting-edge technologies, or mentoring the next generation, these women are redefining what it means to succeed in cybersecurity.

Eskenzi PR’s focus on accessibility also deserves recognition. By ensuring the event is free to enter and attend for the shortlisted nominees, the awards make it easier for deserving women from across different socio-economic backgrounds to be part of the celebration, without financial barriers. This approach aligns with the broader goal of promoting equality and accessibility in the cybersecurity field, where the divide between the haves and have-nots can be a significant hurdle to entry.

As for the event itself, it’s more than just an awards ceremony – it’s a powerful networking opportunity for the cybersecurity community. With keynote speeches, panel discussions, and ample time for mingling, the ceremony fosters collaboration and conversation among industry leaders. This is a critical aspect of the event, as cybersecurity is a field that thrives on collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mentorship. The insights shared during the ceremony will undoubtedly shape the direction of the industry for years to come.

In conclusion, the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards are more than a celebration – they’re a call to action for the entire cybersecurity industry to continue prioritizing diversity and inclusion. By uplifting the women on this year’s shortlist, we not only recognize their hard work and dedication but also lay the foundation for a more inclusive, innovative, and secure future in cybersecurity.

References:

Reported By: https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2025/02/07/shortlist-revealed-for-most-inspiring-women-in-cyber-awards-2025-after-record-breaking-number-of-entries/
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