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The world of cybersecurity is rapidly evolving, and so is the recognition of the remarkable women shaping its future. This year, the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards returns, shining a spotlight on female leaders, innovators, and change-makers who are redefining the cybersecurity landscape. Sponsored by BT, Fidelity International, Plexal, and Bridewell, and supported by WiCyS UK&I, WiTCH, and Seidea, the awards celebrate talent, determination, and vision. With a judging panel of industry heavyweights, the shortlist highlights women who not only excel professionally but also inspire the next generation of cybersecurity talent.
The judging process was rigorous, with points-based evaluations determining the top candidates from a highly competitive pool. Judges included Yasemin Mustafa of BT, Adam Haylock of Fidelity International, Rebecca Taylor of Sophos, Adaora Uche representing Seidea, Joanne Elieli from Stephenson Harwood LLP, Diane Gilbert of Plexal, Jennifer Cox from Tines, Hannah Arnold of WiTCH, and Yvonne Eskenzi, founder of the awards. Their expertise ensured that the shortlist reflects true leadership and innovation across the cyber domain.
The shortlist of 50 exceptional women includes executives, researchers, consultants, and founders from global organizations and startups alike. Some of the standout nominees are:
Helen Caldwell, Director of IT and Cyber Security at The Rowans Trust
Meera Tamboli, Digital Forensics and Incident Response Analyst at AVEVA
Adele Harrington, Information Security Officer at Fidelity International
Lucy Burnford, CEO and Founder of Coc00n
Indu Sajeev, CISO of ASOS
Moona Ederveen-Schneider, Founder of Resilia Connect
Charlotte Wilson, Head of Enterprise Business UKI at Check Point Software
Rebecca Lindley, Senior Cyber Consultant at Deloitte Ireland
Harriet Farlow, CEO and Founder of Mileva Security Labs
Evin McMullen, CEO and Co-Founder of Billions Network
The nominees span a broad spectrum of cybersecurity roles, including penetration testers, compliance leads, cyber educators, security strategists, and startup founders. Their collective achievements underscore a growing movement: women are not just participating in cybersecurity—they are leading, innovating, and shaping the future of digital safety.
The awards ceremony will take place at the iconic BT Tower in London on Thursday, 26th February 2026, where the 20 winners and five Ones to Watch will be officially announced. This event promises to celebrate achievements, inspire aspiring cybersecurity professionals, and foster a stronger, more inclusive community in the industry.
What Undercode Say:
The 2026 shortlist reveals several noteworthy trends in the cybersecurity landscape. First, there is a strong presence of women in leadership roles, from CISOs like Indu Sajeev of ASOS to founders of cybersecurity startups such as Lucy Burnford and Moona Ederveen-Schneider. This indicates a shift from traditional gender roles in technology, showcasing female-driven innovation across both corporate and entrepreneurial environments.
Second, diversity in specialization is evident. Nominees include digital forensics experts, compliance leads, cybercrime researchers, penetration testers, and educators. Such breadth reflects the increasing complexity of cybersecurity threats and the need for multidimensional skills. Women are emerging not just in management, but across technical, operational, and strategic functions, demonstrating holistic expertise.
The involvement of globally recognized companies like Fidelity International, Adobe, Check Point, and ASOS highlights that organizations are actively investing in female talent pipelines. Partnerships with institutions like UWE Bristol and Polytechnique Montreal show academia’s role in nurturing cybersecurity professionals, bridging the gap between research and applied security practices.
The awards also emphasize community building and mentorship, with several nominees founding initiatives that promote cybersecurity education, leadership, and support for women. For instance, Kerlyn Manyi’s CyberFoundHer initiative and Harriet Farlow’s Mileva Security Labs provide platforms for skill development and career advancement, which are critical for fostering inclusivity in the field.
Finally, the geographic diversity of nominees—from the UK and Europe to Pakistan and Nigeria—underscores cybersecurity’s global dimension. Women across continents are contributing to knowledge sharing, cross-border collaboration, and the creation of tools and frameworks that protect digital infrastructure worldwide.
Overall, this year’s shortlist reflects an industry undergoing transformation: one that values diversity, innovation, mentorship, and leadership. Recognizing women in cybersecurity not only celebrates individual achievements but also strengthens the ecosystem by inspiring future talent to enter and thrive in this high-stakes, fast-evolving sector.
Fact Checker Results:
✅ The event is sponsored by BT, Fidelity International, Plexal, and Bridewell, with confirmed support from WiCyS UK&I, WiTCH, and Seidea.
✅ The shortlist contains 50 women nominated across diverse cybersecurity roles, as confirmed in the official announcement.
✅ The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, 26th February 2026, at the BT Tower in London.
Prediction:
🌟 The increasing visibility of women in cybersecurity is likely to accelerate gender diversity in tech leadership roles over the next 5 years.
🌟 Initiatives like CyberFoundHer and Mileva Security Labs will continue to expand mentorship networks, boosting female representation in technical roles.
🌟 Companies may increasingly tie diversity and inclusion metrics to cybersecurity innovation, recognizing that diverse teams drive more creative and resilient security solutions.
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References:
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