The Second Edition of Women in Cyber

The 2nd edition of Women in Cyber 2024 (WIC 2024) took place on 25th April 2024 at The Everly Hotel in Putrajaya. Organised by the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) Malaysia and Co-Organized by Alpine Integrated Solution Sdn. Bhd. (AIS), this exclusive, invitation-only event aims to cater to individuals at various career stages within the cybersecurity realm across Malaysia. From students to industry players, attendees will engage in immersive discussions addressing challenges and exchanging best practices within the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity.

The conference's primary objectives are to empower and inspire women in cybersecurity to excel in their careers, foster a supportive and inclusive community, and bridge the gender gap in the industry. WIC 2024 showcased a transformative experience, contributing significantly to the crucial goal of bridging the gender gap in cybersecurity and encouraging more women to enter this dynamic and vital industry.

Beyond the conference, WIC offers a comprehensive exploration of cybersecurity, featuring exhibitions and training workshops.

Highlights of WiC 2024

Having successfully organised the inaugural Women in Cyber luncheon in 2023, as well as key security industry events such as the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2023 and the CYDES series, AIS, the strategic partner for NACSA, was able to ensure that WiC 2024 delivered on all counts. The WiC 2024 conference welcomed approximately 400 cybersecurity stakeholders, comprising both men and women, alongside esteemed VIP guests including the Deputy Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development, the Director General of National Security, NSC, Ir. Dr. Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, Chief Executive of NACSA, and Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Khairul Adib Abd Rahman, Group Chairman of AIS.

Addressing the imperative challenge of effectively mentoring women in the cybersecurity workforce, distinguished local and international speakers convened for the first Panel Session titled “Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future: Mentoring and Empowering Women in the Current Workforce,” sponsored by Amazon Web Services.

Following a networking lunch, Miss Lata Bavisi, President of EC-Council University, delivered a keynote address titled “Fostering Women Inclusivity: A Path to Innovation,” highlighting the significance of gender diversity in driving new perspectives and innovative solutions within the cybersecurity industry.

The second Panel Session, sponsored by Microsoft Malaysia, delved into the effects and impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the cybersecurity landscape, titled “Cybersecurity and AI: Opportunities and Threats.” Panellists engaged in discussions on the dual nature of AI as both a potential threat and a tool for advancing cybersecurity efforts.

Another notable aspect of WiC 2024 was the workshops on combating cybersecurity threats led by Dr. Meisam Eslahi, Director of Cybersecurity at EC-Council Global Services, a leading provider of cybersecurity certification, education, training, and services.

Throughout the event, organisations such as NACSA, Women in Tech, MyDigital ID Sdn Bhd, EC-Council, CrowdStrike, Asia Pacific University (APU), University Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Microsoft, Association of Information Security Professionals (AiSP), and Detekcam showcased their offerings at the exhibition, contributing to a comprehensive exploration of cybersecurity advancements and solutions.

Chief Executive of NACSA, Ir. Dr. Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, highlighted the significance of WiC 2024, stating, “Women in Cyber 2024 is reinforcing the foundations that will empower women to play a more important role in upholding the Malaysian cybersecurity sector. It also marks the kick-off of The CYDES Series of Events 2024, leading up to CYDES 2025 – the premier integrated cyber defence, cybersecurity, and emerging technology event. I am confident that the success of WiC 2024 will pave the path for the success of CYDES 2025.”

For more information at WIC2024 https://cydes.my/nacsa-cybersecurity-summit