A scholarship to support women of color in pursuing degrees in cybersecurity and related fields will soon be offered in South Africa. The scholarship, worth $5,876 (110,000 ZAR), will be granted by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education in partnership with KnowBe4. The recipient of the scholarship will be the only one chosen to receive the award, which can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, and required electronics.
Applicants who are women of color residing in South Africa and who are pursuing or planning to pursue degrees with a focus on cybersecurity, information assurance, or a similar field at a college or university in the country are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Both full-time and part-time students can apply. The applicants will be evaluated in three categories, including passion, merit, and financial need.
Kelly Barrena, vice president of global talent brand and outreach at KnowBe4, said that the scholarship provides an opportunity to diversify the cybersecurity workforce in South Africa among women and will help support the academic needs and goals of a deserving student. He also added that KnowBe4 looks forward to reviewing applications and selecting the recipient of this scholarship.
According to reports, this scholarship aims to increase the number of women working in the field of cybersecurity. Reports also suggest that the cybersecurity industry, which is currently male-dominated, needs more female representation to address the shortage of skilled professionals in this field. By offering a scholarship to women of color in South Africa, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education and KnowBe4 are taking a step forward in bringing gender diversity to the cybersecurity industry.
Many companies worldwide have come forward to support diversity in the cybersecurity industry. Companies such as Palo Alto Networks and IBM offer scholarships and mentoring programs to women and underrepresented groups in the field of cybersecurity. Similarly, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education and KnowBe4’s scholarship program is a significant milestone towards encouraging women to consider cybersecurity as a career.
Apart from companies, many universities have also made efforts to promote diversity in cybersecurity education. Some universities offer cybersecurity programs or boot camps that focus on promoting diversity in cybersecurity education. These programs are designed to increase the number of female and minority hires in the cybersecurity industry.
In conclusion, the cybersecurity industry needs more women and underrepresented groups to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education and KnowBe4’s scholarship program to support women of color in South Africa is a significant step towards creating a diverse and inclusive cybersecurity workforce. This scholarship program along with other programs initiated by companies and universities should help encourage more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity, contributing to the industry’s growth while simultaneously building a diverse workforce.