Widening Excellence and Mentoring in Cybersecurity

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Europe faces a critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, with women representing just 22% of the workforce. This underrepresentation not only underscores inequality but also limits Europe's potential in this crucial sector.WEM Cyber's mission is to boost women's participation and expertise in cybersecurity through targeted secondments, mentorship, and skills development programmes. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, the project aims to build research capacity and facilitate knowledge exchange, equipping participants with the entrepreneurial and leadership skills necessary to excel, and thereby contribute to the mitigation of brain drain in widening countries. Key objectives include funding 38 secondments across 5 organisations, enhancing participants' technical and soft skills through tailored training, and strengthening academia-industry collaboration. Each secondee will follow a personalised development plan, ensuring they gain relevant skills for career advancement and cybersecurity expertise. Some measurable outcomes include 29 research publications, contribution to 10 new cybersecurity solutions and at least 50% of secondees reporting improved career prospects. Additionally, the dissemination of the project's methodology and knowledge will help establish a sustainable, long-term network within the consortium partners and beyond. The WEM Cyber consortium comprises 8 partners from 7 European countries (Türkiye, Greece, Slovenia, Lithuania, Spain, France and Belgium) all with extensive experience in cybersecurity. Bisilim Vadisi will act as coordinator, joined by the University of Maribor, University Pompeu Fabra, University Paul Sabatier, Women4Cyber, Ubitech, Vilnius Tech and Bogazici University. Together, the aim is to create a more inclusive, resilient and innovative cybersecurity ecosystem across Europe, addressing both the gender gap and the cybersecurity skills shortage.