GCF launches ‘Women in Cyber Awards’ with support of ITU and UN Women

Riyadh — The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) announced the launch of the Women in Cyber Awards, with the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UN Women, to recognise excellence in advancing women’s participation, leadership, and impact in cybersecurity. 

The 2026 edition will launch with the “Women’s Cyber Empowerment Champion” category, recognising organisations across the public and private sectors, academia, and the non-profit sector for strengthening the participation, advancement, and long-term success of women in cybersecurity through measurable and sustainable initiatives over the past two years.  

The 2026 Awards will recognise significant impact across four tracks: Pipeline Builder Award (early talent development); Advocacy Champion Award (visibility and recognition); Workforce Enablement Retention Award (upskilling & middle management support); and Leadership and Entrepreneurship Award (executive growth & women-led ventures). 

Abdurahman AlHassan, CEO of GCF, said: “Women’s meaningful participation and leadership in cybersecurity is essential to shape a safe, inclusive Cyberspace.

“The Women in Cyber Awards aim to shine a global spotlight on the organisations driving change and building recognition that a more diverse workforce strengthens cyber resilience and prosperity worldwide.” 

The Awards are 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. Through WEC, GCF collaborates with international partners like the ITU and UN Women to strengthen global cyber resilience by increasing women’s participation in cybersecurity and contributing to efforts to close the persistent talent gap facing the cybersecurity sector worldwide. 

Globally, women represent only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce despite a shortfall of 2.8 million professionals, according to research by GCF and BCG. Recognising the urgency of building an inclusive, sustainable talent pipeline and advancing more women to leadership, GCF, ITU, and UN Women are partnering to raise recognition and awareness of effective efforts to support women’s career progression in cybersecurity. 

“With millions of cybersecurity roles unfilled worldwide, bringing more women into the field is both an economic and security imperative in today’s increasingly digital world,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Through the Women in Cyber Awards, ITU is proud to spotlight organisations creating real pathways for women to enter and lead in cybersecurity.” 

Sarah Hendriks, Director of Policy, Programme and Intergovernmental Division at UN Women, emphasised the significance of the Awards:  “The future we’re building is digital—and cybersecurity is what keeps that future safe, open, and possible. Women represent the largest untapped force to further advance the cybersecurity sector. When women rise in cybersecurity, so does our ability to shape a more secure world for everyone.” 

Following a jury selection process, the winners in each of the tracks will be announced at the GCF Annual Meeting 2026, which will be held at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, from October 7-8. The event will convene global leaders, decision-makers, and experts to advance systems-led, institutional collaboration on critical Cyberspace issues. Applications and nominations can be made on the official GCF website in due course. 

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