Ukraine has significant achievements in the development of women's leadership in cybersecurity

The Head of the Information and Cybersecurity Service of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Secretary of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center, Natalia Tkachuk, participated in the OSCE seminar on gender aspects in the field of cyber/ICT security, which took place on March 25-26 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The event, organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department with the support of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the United Kingdom, was an important step towards promoting gender diversity and empowering women in cybersecurity.

The two-day seminar brought together experts and representatives from political departments in the field of cybersecurity from Eastern and Southeastern European countries, who discussed strategies for integrating gender perspectives into national cybersecurity policies.

In her speech, Natalia Tkachuk shared practical steps taken by Ukraine under the auspices of the National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity to strengthen women's participation in cybersecurity.«For Ukraine, increasing the role of women in critical areas of national security and the economy, in order to ensure their sustainable functioning during wartime, is a matter of national survival. One of these key areas is ICT and cybersecurity, - emphasized Natalia Tkachuk. - Therefore, we have united the government, business, civil society, youth, and international partners within the framework of the National Initiative launched by the NCCC, and step by step, we are overcoming the gender gaps in cybersecurity».

The participants of the event highly appreciated Ukraine's achievements in promoting the role of women in cybersecurity, emphasizing that Ukraine's experience and comprehensive approaches can serve as an example to motivate other countries in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.The seminar included practical exercises aimed at exploring the integration of gender aspects into the 16 OSCE Cyber/ICT Security Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and the importance of diverse perspectives in countering cyber threats. The discussion also highlighted regional and international initiatives focused on empowering women in cybersecurity, showcasing best practices in the political, economic, social, and technical spheres.

The workshop created a dynamic environment for cooperation, highlighting the value of regional partnerships in combating the cross-border nature of cyber threats. By promoting gender diversity, the event confirmed that increasing women's participation in cybersecurity contributes to stability and the development of more inclusive policies.

The NCCC invites you to join the National Initiative for Developing Women's Leadership in Cybersecurity, launched by the NCCC in September 2024 to strengthen the role of women in cybersecurity. Contact us at the e-mail address: womenincyber@ncscc.gov.ua.