GCF and USTTI scale global impact as the ‘Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber’ programme enters its second year – Intelligent CISO - Intelligent CISO

GCF and USTTI scale global impact as the ‘Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber’ programme enters its second year Sarah Weston | 3 February, 2026 Expanding global efforts to strengthen women’s leadership in cybersecurity, the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) and the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) have announced the next edition of the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber programme in cities across the US and Saudi Arabia in 2026. The programme is part of the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) global initiative, instated by H.R.H. Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and implemented by GCF. WEC aims to strengthen global cyber-resilience by increasing women’s participation in the cybersecurity workforce, supporting inclusive capacity building and contributing to efforts to close the global cybersecurity talent gap. The second edition of the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber programme will include four training sessions, reflecting the growing global demand for leadership-focused capacity building in cybersecurity. Three sessions will take place in the United States, starting on 15 April, 14 June and 27 July, followed by a fourth session in Saudi Arabia from 27 September to 9 October. During its first year, the programme trained 63 officials from 39 countries across diverse regions, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean. Delivered through immersive, in-person sessions across the United States and Saudi Arabia, the programme combines leadership development, peer learning and mentorship with the opportunity to build lasting professional networks. The 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce report published by GCF and BCG revealed a global talent shortfall of 2.8 million cybersecurity professionals, with women making up just 24% of the cybersecurity workforce. In response to these gaps, the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber programme provides women professionals with access to training and mentorship, equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead in an increasingly complex cyber landscape and expanding their representation in the cybersecurity workforce. This training programme is central to the wider WEC initiative’s mission to expand the pipeline of talented women in cybersecurity, underscoring GCF’s long-term commitment to strengthening global cyber-resilience. By equipping women with the skills, networks and opportunities to advance into decision-making roles in cybersecurity through WEC, GCF is enabling a more inclusive and future-ready cyber ecosystem – one that underpins the security and prosperity of societies, economies and nations worldwide. Who Should Apply: Women in mid to upper management positions, employed in the public or private sector, who are working in or seek to transition into a career in the cybersecurity sector are encouraged to apply. Applications for the 2026 cohorts are now open.