As cybersecurity threats continue to grow in scale and complexity, the demand for a skilled and diverse workforce is becoming increasingly urgent. In a major move to expand access to high-quality cybersecurity training in the Middle East, EC-Council—the globally recognised body behind the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification—has teamed up with CyberSHE to provide technical training and career development for women looking to enter or advance in the field.
CyberSHE, an initiative introduced by Women in CyberSecurity Middle East (WiCSME), launched its inaugural programme at Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST). This initiative unites experts from government, academia, and private sectors to offer women targeted training, mentorship, and defined career paths in cybersecurity. The programme’s goal is to equip more women with advanced digital skills, enhancing both diversity and capability within cyber teams throughout 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 honoured 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.
The CyberSHE initiative spans four weeks and is anchored in EC-Council’s globally respected certification programmes. Participants engage in technical learning through the Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT), Certified Network Defender (CND), and Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) courses. The intensive three-week practical component is followed by one week focused on career preparation, including mentorship, soft skills enhancement, and industry knowledge sessions.
Dr. Reem Faraj AlShammari, Chairperson of WiCSME, added: “CyberSHE is more than just a programme, 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 programme is directly boosting the National Cyber readiness (Strategic Workforce Development), and is strategically positioned to improve the entire region’s Global Cybersecurity Index rankings.”
Following its successful launch in Kuwait, the CyberSHE programme is set to roll out in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan, and Qatar. Over the coming three years, the initiative aims to train 1,500 women, directly enhancing national cybersecurity infrastructure while promoting gender inclusivity within the tech workforce.
This collaboration underlines EC-Council’s enduring commitment to accessible, practical, and empowering cybersecurity education. Through initiatives like CyberSHE, EC-Council continues to drive forward pathways that uplift women, strengthen digital resilience, and contribute to a safer, more inclusive online world.