The
Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) has announced the launch of the Women in Cyber
Awards, with the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and
UN Women, to recognize excellence in advancing women’s participation, leadership,
and impact in cybersecurity.
The
2026 edition will launch with the “Women’s Cyber Empowerment Champion”
category, recognizing organizations across the public and private sectors,
academia, and non-profit sector for strengthening the participation,
advancement, and long-term success of women in cybersecurity through measurable
and sustainable initiatives over the past two years.
The
2026 Awards will recognize significant impact across four tracks: Pipeline
Builder Award (early talent development); Advocacy Champion Award (visibility
and recognition); Workforce Enablement Retention Award (upskilling & middle
management support); and Leadership and Entrepreneurship Award (executive
growth & women-led ventures).
Abdurahman AlHassan, CEO of GCF, said: “Women’s meaningful participation and
leadership in cybersecurity is essential to shape a safe, inclusive Cyberspace.
The Women in Cyber Awards aim to shine a global spotlight on the organizations
driving change and building recognition that a more diverse
workforce strengthens cyber resilience and prosperity worldwide.”
The
Awards are part of the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) global
initiative, instated by H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and
implemented by GCF. Through WEC, GCF collaborates with international partners
like the ITU and UN Women to strengthen global cyber resilience by increasing
women’s participation in cybersecurity and contributing to efforts to close the
persistent talent gap facing the cybersecurity sector worldwide.
Globally,
women represent only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce despite a shortfall of
2.8 million professionals, according to research by GCF and BCG. Recognizing
the urgency of building an inclusive, sustainable talent pipeline and advancing
more women to leadership, GCF, ITU, and UN Women are partnering to raise
recognition and awareness of effective efforts to support women’s career
progression in cybersecurity.
"With
millions of cybersecurity roles unfilled worldwide, bringing more women into
the field is both an economic and security imperative in today's increasingly
digital world,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Through the
Women in Cyber Awards, ITU is proud to spotlight organizations creating real
pathways for women to enter and lead in cybersecurity.”
Sarah
Hendriks, Director of Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division at UN
Women, emphasized the significance of the Awards: "The future we’re building is
digital—and cybersecurity is what keeps that future safe, open, and possible.
Women represent the largest untapped force to further advance the cybersecurity
sector. When women rise in cybersecurity, so does our ability to shape a more
secure world for everyone.”
Following a jury selection process, the winners in each of
the tracks will be announced at the GCF Annual Meeting 2026, which will be held
at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh from October 7-8. The event will convene global leaders,
decision-makers, and experts to advance
systems-led, institutional collaboration on critical Cyberspace
issues.
Applications
and nominations can be made on the official GCF website in due course.
