Women with at least two-year of experience in any field seeking an entry into cyber security will benefit from a mentorship programme aimed at bridging the gender gap in the sector.
The programme launched by Standard Chartered in conjunction with Strathmore University targets 100 women residing in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
It will enhance access to support, skills, knowledge and networks necessary for professional growth.
It also seeks to increase the interest and adoption of cybersecurity roles by women in the region.
Speaking during the launch, Standard Chartered Bank CEO Kariuki Ngari said technologies are coming together to create a new and convergent world occasioning different ways of interacting.
“This new world has seen a dramatic increase in cyber activities with Africa emerging as a favourite target of cybercriminals. This mentorship seeks to build capacities critical for survival in this new world order,” Ngari said.
Globally, there is a shortage of almost four million Cybersecurity professionals with Africa only having 10,000 certified ones.
Women account for 24 per cent of the overall workforce, with Africa and the Middle East having the lowest representation, at 10 per cent.
The partners say this is a journey started to ensure the country and the world is safer and that women who are always marginalised are well represented and ready to serve in the space.
Cyber threats have been on the rise in the country. A recent National Cybersecurity Report shows that during the period October to December 2020, the cybersecurity trusted point, National KE-CIRT/CC detected over 50 million cyber threat events.
This is a 59.8 per cent increase from the numbers recorded the previous period.
“As such, and with limited talent in the workforce, we need to break entry barriers and provide technological and systemic structures that support the growth and competitiveness of cybersecurity professionals,” director @iLabAfrica- Strathmore University, Joseph Sevilla said.
The world’s cybersecurity workforce is projected to grow by almost 65 per cent this year to effectively defend organisations' critical assets.
This enhances the need for more capacity building in cyberspace.
Ranging from penetration testers, ethical hackers, cybersecurity engineers, architects and risk professionals among others, the programme intends to expand job and career opportunities for women.
