On December 17, 2024, the 32nd meeting of the National Cybersecurity Cluster was held on the topic: “The Role of Women in Ensuring Ukraine’s Cyber Resilience: Challenges and Prospects.” The event was organized by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) together with the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF Global), with support from the U.S. Department of State and with the assistance of the Women’s Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Foundation (WLSIF) and the Parkovyi Data Center.
“Engaging women in the field of cybersecurity significantly strengthens our ability to counter cyber threats. Women have a unique way of thinking that complements men’s approaches, creating a synergy that enables us to successfully solve the most complex tasks. We must facilitate more women and girls finding their place in the cyber sphere, because their potential can enhance our capacity at all levels—from operational actions to strategic planning and the making of key decisions,” said Serhii Demediuk, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, opening the event.
The event brought together representatives of the public, private, and educational sectors, civil society and donor organizations, as well as the media community working in the field of cybersecurity. Participants discussed the key challenges and prospects for expanding women’s participation in strengthening national cyber resilience, as well as ways to engage youth in the cyber sphere through education, professional programs, and career growth, which will help enhance Ukraine’s human capital and technological development.
“During Russia’s full-scale invasion, engaging women in the field of cybersecurity is not merely a matter of equality or compliance with international standards. It is a vital necessity for strengthening national security and ensuring the state’s resilience. Women have always played an important role in the development of our country, and today their contribution is becoming even more significant,” noted Nataliya Tkachuk, Head of the Information and Cyber Security Service at the Office of the NSDC of Ukraine, Secretary of the NCSCC.
Special attention during the event was paid to practical tasks that participants carried out within group sessions. The ideas and proposals developed will be incorporated into the national initiative to enhance gender equality and to engage women in strategic and operational tasks in Ukraine’s cyberspace.
