EC-Council Backs CyberSHE to Empower Women in Middle East Cybersecurity

As cyber threats grow more complex, the demand for skilled professionals in the field has never been greater. Recognizing this urgency, EC-Council—the global authority in cybersecurity education and the body behind the acclaimed Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program—has joined forces with CyberSHE to enhance cybersecurity career prospects for women across the Middle East. This collaboration aims to build a more inclusive and capable talent pipeline through accessible, world-class training.

Empowering Women Through CyberSHE

CyberSHE is a pioneering initiative launched by Women in CyberSecurity Middle East (WiCSME), officially introduced at Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST). The program connects key stakeholders from government, academia, and industry to support women in building technical proficiency and advancing their careers in cybersecurity. By equipping women with essential skills, CyberSHE is fostering diverse perspectives and contributing to more resilient cybersecurity teams across the region.

“Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, and the Middle East holds extraordinary untapped potential. At EC-Council, we see education as a catalyst for transformation. Through CyberSHE, we are opening the door to global-standard training, mentorship, and new career pathways for women across the region. This initiative represents the kind of purposeful collaboration that creates lasting opportunity. We are honored to support it, and we believe it is just the beginning of a much larger movement to shape the future of cyber talent in the region.” said Jay Bavisi, Group President, EC-Council.

Hands-On Learning for Real-World Impact

Structured as a four-week immersive experience, CyberSHE’s training is anchored in EC-Council’s globally recognized certifications. Participants receive technical instruction through certifications such as Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT), Certified Network Defender (CND), and Certified SOC Analyst (CSA). The first three weeks focus on intensive, hands-on lab work, while the final phase includes career-building modules, ranging from mentorship and soft skills training to exposure to real-world industry insights.

Dr. Reem Faraj AlShammari, Chairperson of WiCSME, added: “CyberSHE is more than just a program; it represents the power of collective efforts in action. Through CyberSHE, we are uniting key pillars of our society to create a generation of empowered, job-ready women professionals in cybersecurity. By building skilled workforce, the program is directly boosting the National Cyber readiness (Strategic Workforce Development), and is strategically positioned to improve the entire region's Global Cybersecurity Index rankings.”

Scaling Across the Region

Following its initial rollout in Kuwait, CyberSHE is set to expand into the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar. With a bold target of training 1,500 women over the next three years, the program seeks to not only boost regional cyber defense capabilities but also ensure that women are increasingly represented in this critical sector.

A Shared Vision for an Inclusive Cyber Future

This partnership aligns closely with EC-Council’s overarching mission: to make cybersecurity education widely accessible and profoundly transformative. By backing initiatives like CyberSHE, EC-Council continues to foster equitable career pathways, elevate underrepresented voices, and contribute meaningfully to a safer, more inclusive digital landscape.