On November 28, 2024, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the fourth meeting of the International Cybersecurity Cluster was held on the topic: “Ukraine’s Experience in Countering Russia’s Cyber War: Lessons for the Balkan Countries.” The event brought together more than 150 participants—representatives of government institutions, the private sector, international organizations, diplomats, and civil society experts.
Anastasiia Ostrovska, Co-Founder and CEO of the Women’s Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Foundation (WLSIF), served as the moderator of a panel discussion dedicated to public–private partnership in the field of cybersecurity. Within the discussion, she also initiated a conversation about the importance of women’s leadership in the cyber sphere, emphasizing the need for active involvement of women in strategic decisions in digital security.
“Leadership means staying true to yourself, being the person you want to see in the mirror, and building a career where you want to be, not where stereotypes try to steer you. Women in cybersecurity are not an exception, but a necessity for a strong and resilient digital world,” noted Anastasiia.
She emphasized that overcoming gender stereotypes in the field of cybersecurity is not only a matter of justice, but also a prerequisite for creating a safe, innovative, and adaptive digital environment.
