The final conference of the ZoomIn4PinkHats (ZI4PH) project, implemented by CARNET's National CERT to promote greater inclusion of women in cybersecurity, was held today at the Hotel International in Zagreb. This significant project, funded through the GÉANT Innovation Program, focuses on current issues of equality and support for women in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to work in this dynamic and rapidly growing sector.
Nataša Glavor, Assistant Director of CARNET for the National CERT Sector, gave an opening address in which she emphasized the importance of including women in cybersecurity.
The current cybersecurity trend shows an increased number of incidents, caused by the accelerated development of technology, which in turn leads to new and sophisticated cyberattack techniques. Due to these factors, it is necessary to invest in the development of a skilled workforce that can keep pace with such challenges and actively work to empower the entire community in order to preserve the cyber ecosystem. Therefore, we cannot afford for the field of cybersecurity to be reserved exclusively for a portion of the population; it must be open to everyone, because through joint efforts, we can achieve the highest level of security. There is a shortage of as many as 4 million cybersecurity professionals in the market, and the fact is that women make up only 25% of the professionals who protect our digital identities and data.
The conference presented concrete project results and research conducted to analyze the interest of female high school students and teachers in the field of cybersecurity. Over six months, the project brought together 14 female mentors from primary and secondary schools in 12 Croatian cities, who introduced the field of cybersecurity to their students and worked with them on innovative mini-projects. During a three-day training camp, the mentors received education in seven areas of cybersecurity and were able to apply the knowledge gained at the camp in preparing students for Hacknite – CTF (Capture The Flag). Capture the Flag) a competition for high schools that the National CERT holds every year as part of October, the European Cyber Security Month. In this year's fifth annual competition, there was a 10% increase in the number of female participants compared to previous years. This increase in the number of girls participating in the competition shows that interest in cybersecurity among girls is growing, which is also the result of the activities carried out as part of the training camp. Research conducted during the project highlights the crucial importance of popularizing gamification methods and CTF competitions in cybersecurity education. It also points to the need to increase the visibility of female role models and to support the education system and its staff in implementing cybersecurity-related activities and topics.
The conference brought together prominent female experts from various sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, A1 Croatia, Algebra, and the National CERT. Through open discussions, participants shared their experiences and challenges in the industry, emphasizing the need to create support networks that will encourage further inclusion of women in cybersecurity.
The panel discussion “Who are the Pink Hats?” enabled participants to focus on professional development and the challenges and successes of women in this field, while the panel “When I Grow Up, I Will Defend the Cyber World” discussed the importance of inspiring young girls for careers in cybersecurity. Participants agreed that the key to success lies in creating an inclusive work environment that encourages diverse perspectives and innovation. Education and mentorship play a crucial role in shaping the career paths of young women, was the main conclusion from the panels. Participants emphasized that practical experience and networking are fundamental aspects that contribute to building trust and self-confidence in girls choosing this profession. They also highlighted the importance of initiatives that would enable continuous collaboration between institutions, educational institutions, and industry, thereby ensuring young women access to the necessary resources and opportunities for achieving success.
In addition to discussions, the conference also featured presentations of works by students and mentors, which showcased concrete results from the ZI4PH project. These works highlighted the skills acquired and opened a discussion on the importance of practical education in schools.
The ZI4PH project creates opportunities for collaboration and exchange of experiences, inspiring girls to develop in the field of cybersecurity. This approach contributes to building a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem in the long term, empowering women and encouraging their active role in addressing the challenges of the digital world.