Hello from WiCyS Minnesota
An Affiliate Chapter of Women in CyberSecurity
WiCyS National Announces 2024 Conference
Nashville, TN
April 11–13, 2024
Make a Donation to WiCySMN
Help change the cybersecurity work force gap
What is WiCyS?
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) is the only non-profit membership organization with a national reach that is dedicated to bringing together women in cybersecurity from academia, research and industry to share knowledge, experience, networking and mentoring. WiCyS helps build a strong cybersecurity workforce with gender equality by facilitating recruitment, retention and advancement for women in the field. The initiative was created through an NSF grant (Award #1303441) by Dr. Ambareen Siraj at Tennessee Tech University six years ago, and has grown into a wonderful alliance among academia, government and industry.
“WiCyS offers mentoring, learning, networking and career development to women at all stages of their cybersecurity careers.”
How Companies Benefit from Engagement with WiCyS
Companies need to have access to a pipeline of qualified candidates for cybersecurity jobs—both senior-level and students in the field—who can join through apprenticeships and internships. It also makes perfect sense to hire women into these jobs, because it’s been proven that workforce diversity improves productivity and also enhances external perceptions. Promoting women into senior, thought leadership positions also adds tremendous value to companies’ positioning with stakeholders and customers.
We also seek funding for the organization’s mission in the form of Strategic Partners. WiCyS’ founding partners are Facebook, Cisco and Palo Alto Networks. The Board of Directors has representation from senior level cybersecurity experts from Facebook, Cisco, Tennessee Tech University, University of Texas Dallas, Naval Postgraduate School, CERT, George Washington University, Lockheed Martin and Palo Alto Networks.
“Promoting women into senior, thought leadership positions also adds tremendous value to companies’ positioning with stakeholders and customers.”
How Women Benefit from Participation in WiCyS
WiCyS offers mentoring, learning, networking and career development to women at all stages of their cybersecurity careers. Whether you are a student just considering a career in cybersecurity, or an experienced leader in the cybersecurity workforce, WiCyS provides tangible benefits and a supportive community. Be sure to join as a WiCyS member and start receiving benefits immediately. Be empowered and join WiCyS National today and help us change the cybersecurity work force gap.
The Women in Cybersecurity Minnesota (WiCyS MN) is a regional affiliate that covers these geographic areas: Minnesota with outreach into Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota. As a WiCyS Affiliate, we will undertake activities to promote recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity.