In a strategic push to expand access to cybersecurity education across the Middle East, EC-Council, creator of the internationally recognized Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, has announced a partnership with CyberSHE, a pioneering initiative aimed at upskilling women in the region.
Launched under the umbrella of the Middle East Women in Cybersecurity Association (MEWIC), CyberSHE is designed to deliver technical training, career mentorship, and pathways to employment for women entering the cybersecurity workforce. The program, which recently debuted at the Kuwait College of Science and Technology, unites regional leaders from government, academia, and industry to promote inclusivity and resilience in national cybersecurity ecosystems.
“Cybersecurity is among the fastest-growing fields globally,” said Jay Bavisi, Group President at EC-Council. “The Middle East holds immense untapped potential. With education as a powerful catalyst for change, our partnership with CyberSHE aims to unlock world-class training and career opportunities for women across the region. This is just the beginning of a broader movement toward sustainable, inclusive cyber talent development.”
Four-Week Program to Build Cyber Talent
The CyberSHE initiative offers a rigorous four-week training course co-developed by EC-Council. Participants engage in practical, lab-based instruction for the first three weeks, followed by a week of career readiness workshops. The technical tracks include:
- Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT)
- Certified Network Defender (CND)
- Certified SOC Analyst (CSA)
The final week focuses on soft skills development, cybersecurity trends, and professional mentoring—crucial elements for young professionals launching careers in this competitive sector.
Closing the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity
Dr. Reem Faraj Al-Shammari, President of MEWIC and visionary behind the CyberSHE program, underscored the initiative’s impact on both workforce development and regional security:
“CyberSHE is more than a training program—it’s a movement. By uniting our core communities, we’re building a generation of women ready to secure the digital future of our nations. Empowering women in cybersecurity directly enhances national readiness and contributes to improving our standing in global cyber indices.”
Scaling Across the Gulf and Beyond
Following its Kuwait launch, CyberSHE is set to expand across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar. The initiative’s three-year roadmap targets the training of 1,500 women by 2028, aiming to bolster national cyber capacities and close the gender gap in the tech workforce.
The EC-Council-CyberSHE partnership reflects EC-Council’s global commitment to inclusive cyber education, particularly in emerging markets. By investing in skill-building and mentorship, the organization seeks to empower women, reduce the cybersecurity talent shortage, and contribute to a safer digital future for all.
