Nominations for WiCSME2020 Awards is now Closed. Join us for the Awards ceremony on November 15th to celebrate the winners.

Over the last few years, there has been a positive noticeable rise in the percentage of women pursuing careers in cyber security across the Middle East region countries. This is driven in part by state initiatives supporting women pursuing careers in general and in cyber security in particular. Increasing awareness efforts that highlight the value of women participation in this dynamic industry are also creating a positive impact.



More than anytime ever before, we are witnessing women expert profiles in security leadership positions: CISOs, directors, consultants, university professors etc. We are also observing younger generations of girls who are penetration testers, SOC analysts and security governance specialists. Some of them have faced challenges in their path and have courageously overcome them; others are still discovering their right directions.

At WiCSME, we realized the importance to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable women. With this purpose, we are organizing the WiCSME 2020 awards. The awards will help uncover young women cyber talent in the region as well as highlight and recognize the women executives and thought leaders who played a vital role in promoting diversity by being a role model themselves and growing the industry through their efforts.

An esteemed panel of judges that includes international and regional renowned cybersecurity experts and influencers, will be supporting us in independently selecting top three winners from each of six award categories.

Awards self-nominations and third party nominations submissions will be accepted from Sept 10^th till October 10^th, 2020. Winners will be announced on November 15th, 2020.

Award Categories & Criteria

Woman Cyber Security Thought Leader

Criteria

• Demonstrates expertise in one of the cyber security domains or related domains
• Regularly contributes thought leadership through more than one channel (i.e. conferences, publications such as books or articles)
• Contribution has visible impact that is substantiated with at least two examples
• Minimum 12 years of experience in cyber security or closely related industry
• Leadership position preferably either in academic institution or organization or in private/public company

Woman Cyber Security Executive

Criteria

• Minimum 12 years in cyber security
• CISO level in a large organization or partner/director level in consulting firm
• Achievements and impact improving cyber security status whether in own organization or industry at large
• Achievements are to be substantiated by three projects

Woman Cyber Security Consultant

Criteria

• 3-10 years experience in cyber security advisory domain
• Measurable achievements in minimum 3 projects with 3 different organizations in at least two cyber security domains
• Evidence of contribution to cyber security company or community initiatives

Woman Cyber Security Rising Star

Criteria

• 0-10 years experience in cyber security domain (could be a student or a recent graduate)
• Excellent technical knowledge in one or more cyber security domains (demonstrated by awards, certifications, grades)
• extra curricular/work activities participating in cyber security CTFs, initiatives, etc..

Woman Cyber Security Community Supporter

Criteria

• 5+ years experience in cyber security or related field
• Exceptional active participation in cyber security community initiatives (substantiated by examples)
• Evidence of positive impact of efforts and contribution on own local community or in cooperation with international communities
• Would have ideally provided mentoring/coaching to other women in cyber security

Woman Cyber Security Hero

Criteria

• 3+ years experience in any cyber security domain
• Measurable achievements in one or two projects in at least one cyber security domain
• Was able to successfully overcome a major life or work challenge and succeed in spite of it