New York, U.S., 01 October 2026: Four organizations have been recognized for outstanding progress in advancing women’s participation, leadership, and impact in the global cybersecurity workforce at the Women in Cyber Awards 2026 ceremony in New York. The ceremony was held during a High-Level Convening on Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity, on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly.

The Women in Cyber Awards were launched this year by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), with the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and UN Women, as a part of the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) global initiative, instated by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, and implemented by GCF.

Amid a global shortage of 2.8 million cybersecurity professionals, where women account for only 24% of the workforce – according to GCF’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report – the WEC initiative aims to strengthen global cyber resilience by increasing women’s participation in the cybersecurity workforce, supporting capacity-building, and contributing to efforts to close the global cybersecurity talent gap.

Applicants for the inaugural edition of the Awards spanned four continents and included organizations from the public and private sectors, academia, and non-governmental organizations, ranging from startups to SMEs and large enterprises. 

Following evaluation by an expert panel and final selection by a high-level international jury, United Cybersecurity Alliance (UCA), Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Sri Lanka CERT, and CYBERLEAD were announced as the winners of the inaugural edition, with one organization recognized across each of the four award tracks.

Together, the four award tracks recognize a range of efforts that strengthen women's participation, advancement, and long-term success in cybersecurity: building early interest and pathways into the profession, strengthening visibility and recognition, enabling women to enter, grow in, and remain in cybersecurity roles, and supporting their advancement into leadership and entrepreneurship.  

• Pipeline Builder Award: Presented to the United Cybersecurity Alliance (UCA), for initiatives including its “100 Women in 100 Days Cybersecurity Career Accelerator” that have delivered cybersecurity training and career support to women globally, with a focus on those from underserved communities.
  
  
• Advocacy Champion Award: Presented to SABIC, for enabling women to lead cybersecurity mentorship and talent development, supporting women’s higher education, and increasing women’s representation in its operational technology and industrial control systems (OT/ICS) roles from 26% to 86%.
  
  
• Cybersecurity Workforce Enablement Award: Presented to Sri Lanka CERT, the country’s National Centre for Cyber Security, for delivering internships, professional development, and technical certification, enabling women to enter, progress, and remain in cybersecurity roles.
  
  
• Leadership & Entrepreneurship Award: Presented to CYBERLEAD for equipping women for cybersecurity leadership roles through an executive education program, the Women in Cyber Leadership Scholarship, and access to a network of leaders and mentors.