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In an era where cyber threats grow more sophisticated by the day, Europe is taking a bold step to address both the talent shortage and the glaring diversity gap in cybersecurity. A new EU-funded training initiative, She\@Cyber, aims to equip aspiring professionals—especially women and underrepresented groups—with foundational cyber knowledge and globally recognized credentials to break into this fast-evolving field.
Supported by Erasmus+ and major players like ISACA, She\@Cyber is more than just another training course. It’s a gateway into a career that has traditionally been dominated by men and closed off to those without expensive qualifications or technical backgrounds. This free, flexible, self-paced program is now open to all EU citizens and already gaining momentum across five countries: Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Ireland.
Let’s explore how this initiative is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape and why it’s a game-changer for diversity, talent development, and Europe’s digital resilience.
Bridging the Cyber Gap: The She@Cyber Initiative
She\@Cyber is a newly launched, beginner-level cybersecurity training course with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion.
Funded by the European
The initiative is coordinated by Vernian RTI, with curriculum support from ISACA, a globally respected authority in IT governance and certification.
Participants who complete modules receive certificates aligned with ISACA’s Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate, tailored for those from non-technical backgrounds.
The training covers five key cybersecurity areas:
1. Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Business Resilience
2. Emerging Technologies and Cybersecurity Challenges
3. Cyber Attack Theory and Defense Mechanisms
4. Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications
5. Professional Skills for Cybersecurity Careers
The self-paced format is designed to accommodate career switchers, full-time workers, and others with limited availability.
SMEs, startups, and microenterprises are encouraged to use the program as a recruitment pipeline for cybersecurity talent.
Open to all EU citizens, with a special invitation extended to women and disadvantaged communities.
The program is already being implemented across five European countries.
According to an October 2024 study by Socura, women hold only 17% of cybersecurity jobs in the UK.
An April 2024 ISACA report found that only 4% of cyber teams globally have a female majority, and 11% have no women at all.
Barriers to entry remain steep: high cost of certification, long experience requirements, and exclusionary hiring practices.
ISACA’s Chris Dimitriadis highlighted the urgent need for diverse talent pipelines and practical upskilling solutions like She\@Cyber.
The launch coincides with upcoming efforts at Infosecurity Europe 2025, where women leaders in cyber will take center stage.
At this year’s Women in Cybersecurity event (June 3–5, 2025, London ExCel), panelists will discuss empowerment, leadership, and strategies for inclusion.
Industry names such as BAE Systems, LexisNexis, and Akamai will be represented in this influential gathering.
Attendees will get access to networking, mentorship, and role models in cybersecurity’s upper echelons.
Infosecurity Europe 2025 also marks the 30th anniversary of the conference, reflecting on progress and setting new goals.
As Europe prioritizes digital resilience, the program represents a major leap in inclusive talent cultivation.
She\@Cyber isn’t just about filling job vacancies—it’s about redefining who gets to be part of cyber’s future.
What Undercode Say:
The She\@Cyber program is more than a timely initiative—it’s a long-overdue response to the chronic lack of diversity plaguing cybersecurity. At its core, the industry demands resilience, adaptability, and foresight—qualities that are not bound by gender, ethnicity, or neurotype. Yet systemic barriers have prevented capable individuals from entering the field, resulting in a homogenous workforce that’s increasingly out of step with today’s global, digital society.
Cybersecurity needs fresh perspectives. Threat actors are evolving, and defenders must evolve too. Bringing underrepresented voices into cyber is not only a moral imperative—it’s a strategic one. Studies have consistently shown that diverse teams perform better, especially when navigating complex problems like digital security, ethics, and risk management.
The structure of She\@Cyber addresses the issue on several fronts:
Accessibility: By removing tuition costs and offering self-paced learning, it invites participation from individuals who might otherwise be excluded by financial or logistical constraints.
Recognition: Aligning with ISACA’s certification path gives participants a credible, industry-approved credential—a necessary stepping stone into the job market.
Relevance: The five-module curriculum is not just technical; it integrates real-world skills, legal awareness, and professional development. This holistic approach is what modern cybersecurity roles demand.
Scalability: Operating across five nations, with the potential to expand EU-wide, this project can serve as a template for future initiatives that aim to close both the skills and equity gaps.
Community Impact: Encouraging SMEs and startups to tap into this talent pool fosters organic growth and workforce diversification within local economies.
But there’s also a deeper cultural transformation required. The presence of top female cybersecurity leaders at Infosecurity Europe 2025 sends a powerful signal: the door is open, and the seats at the table are expanding. Programs like She\@Cyber may act as an entry point, but sustained mentorship, hiring reform, and community-building are the engines of long-term change.
Organizations must be ready to hire based on potential, not just experience. The days of gatekeeping via arbitrary degree requirements must end. Instead, practical certification, demonstrable skills, and lived experience should guide recruitment.
If Europe wants to secure its digital future, it must cultivate talent not only from the traditional pipelines but also from the untapped reservoirs of creativity, diversity, and resilience found in underrepresented groups.
The question is no longer why diversity matters in cyber. It’s how fast we can build the infrastructure to make it happen.
Fact Checker Results:
Women represent only 17% of cybersecurity jobs in the UK (Socura, Oct 2024).
Globally, 11% of cybersecurity teams have zero women (ISACA, Apr 2024).
The She\@Cyber program is confirmed to be free, EU-funded, and focused on inclusivity through ISACA’s curriculum.
Prediction:
Within the next 3–5 years, initiatives like She\@Cyber will contribute to a measurable shift in the demographic makeup of entry-level cybersecurity roles across Europe. Expect to see a rise in female and minority representation, with companies increasingly relying on alternative certification paths over traditional
References:
Reported By: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
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