Global Cybersecurity Forum and US Telecoms Training Institute Announce Women In Cyber Leadership Program 2026

The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) and the United States Telecommunications Training Institute (USTTI) have announced the 2026 edition of the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber program, with training sessions set to take place across cities in the US and Saudi Arabia as part of broader global efforts to advance women’s leadership in cybersecurity. 

The program falls under the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) global initiative, instated by HRH 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 helping close the global cybersecurity talent gap. 

Women in mid to upper management roles from the public or private sector who are working in cybersecurity or seeking to transition into the field are encouraged to apply.  

The second edition of the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber program will feature four in-person training sessions, reflecting rising global demand for leadership-focused cybersecurity capacity building. Three sessions will be held in the US, starting on April 15, June 14, and July 27, followed by a fourth session in Saudi Arabia running from September 27 to October 9. 

Delivered through immersive, in-person formats across both countries, the program combines leadership development, peer learning, and mentorship, while also enabling participants to build lasting professional networks. During its first year, the initiative trained 63 officials from 39 countries, representing regions across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. 

The program’s expansion comes against the backdrop of a significant global talent shortage. According to the 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce report published by GCF and Strategy and advisory firm Boston Consulting Group, the global cybersecurity sector faces a shortfall of 2.8 million professionals, with women accounting for only 24 percent of the workforce. In response, the Empowering Women to Leadership in Cyber program provides women professionals with access to targeted training and mentorship, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to lead in an increasingly complex cyber landscape. 

The training initiative is a core pillar of WEC’s wider mission to expand the pipeline of women entering and advancing within cybersecurity, underscoring GCF’s long-term commitment to strengthening global cyber resilience. By supporting women’s progression into decision-making roles, GCF aims to foster a more inclusive and future-ready cyber ecosystem that supports the security and prosperity of societies, economies, and nations worldwide.  

Interested applicants can apply here, with applications remaining open until the day before each cohort begins.