News & Events

eBOS Attended the Conference “Women in Cybersecurity: Challenges, Experiences and Plans for the Future”

On Thursday June 1st 2023, Dr. Elisavet Grigoriou, R&D Program Manager/Researcher attended the conference “Women in Cybersecurity: Challenges, experiences and plans for the future” organised by the Digital Security Authority in Nicosia, Cyprus.

Introductory speeches were made by the Commissioner of Communications, Mr. Giorgos Michaelidis, and the Commissioner for Gender Equality, Ms. Jozi Christodoulou. The conference focused on human resources issues, challenges faced by women in the industry, difficulties, advancement, funding, etc. Presentations were also made by a representative of the European Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) as well as representatives from the Academic, Private and Public Sector from Cyprus and Greece.

The cybersecurity field has become a crucial domain of our modern digital landscape. As technology reliance and cyber threats escalate, the demand for skilled professionals in cybersecurity has reached unprecedented levels. Although traditionally dominated by men, the inclusion of women in this domain has demonstrated transformative and positive outcomes.

One noteworthy benefit of women’s involvement in the cybersecurity sector lies in the diverse perspectives they contribute. Women often possess unique problem-solving approaches, drawing upon their varied experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints. This diversity of thought leads to more comprehensive and innovative solutions when confronted with complex cybersecurity challenges. By involving women, teams gain access to a broader range of ideas, strategies, and creative thinking, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of cybersecurity initiatives. Encouraging women’s participation in cybersecurity helps address the prevalent gender gap in the industry. Historically, women have been underrepresented in STEM fields, including cybersecurity. Encouraging more women to enter and thrive in this domain is a crucial step toward achieving gender equality within the technology sector. By fostering a more inclusive environment, organizations can attract talented women, providing them with opportunities to develop their skills and make meaningful contributions to the field.

The demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to surge at a rapid pace. By increasing women’s participation in this domain, we tap into a vast pool of untapped talent. Expanding the talent pool allows organizations to fill critical skill gaps and meet the rising demand for cybersecurity expertise. With a wider range of perspectives and skill sets, teams can strengthen their ability to safeguard digital assets, detect vulnerabilities, and respond effectively to emerging threats. The inclusion of women in cybersecurity teams also fosters improved collaboration and team dynamics. Research has demonstrated that diverse teams tend to exhibit higher levels of creativity, productivity, and problem-solving abilities. Integrating women into decision-making processes establishes a balance of viewpoints, ensuring a more comprehensive evaluation of risks and a better understanding of end-user needs. Consequently, cybersecurity teams become better equipped to develop robust defence strategies, implement effective controls, and swiftly respond to security incidents.