SheSecures Competition seeks to empower women in cybersecurity

The SheSecures Jamaica cybersecurity competition has been lauded for its role in helping to bolster the country’s cyberresilience and empowering women in the growing cybersecurity sector.

The Ministry of National Security, in partnership with the Organization of American States (OAS), hosted the second staging of the virtual competition, which ran from September 12 to 14.

Addressing the virtual launch, chief technical director in the ministry, Shauna Trowers, said “it is through competitions like this that Jamaica continues to strengthen its reputation as a leader in advancing cyberresilience, innovation, and inclusive participation in technology”.

She noted that the initiative “exemplifies the vital role women play in security and leadership inspiring us all to foster a more inclusive and resilient Jamaica”.

Trowers expressed confidence that the ideas, solutions, and passion demonstrated throughout the competition will contribute significantly to the country’s national security efforts, and urged the participants to use the opportunity to further develop their skills.

“Do not just leave this competition as competitors, but use this opportunity to build relationships that will take you beyond the screens of our computers, laptops, or phones. Let us continue to support and uplift women in cybersecurity, recognising their invaluable contribution,” she said.

Cybersecurity section chief, OAS, Kerry Ann Barrett, in her remarks, highlighted the need to equip women with the skills to participate in the cybersecurity sector.

She cited a recent report published by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) which indicated that women represent only 25 per cent of the global workforce.

“This statistic is alarming, especially considering that there are three million cybersecurity professionals worldwide that are needed,” she noted.

She said it is in response to this disparity that, over the past two years, the OAS has collaborated in the staging of the SheSecures competition, which is hosted on the cybersecurity training and certification platform, Hackrocks.

Some 290 participants registered for the cybersecurity competition.

– JIS