Building Confidence, Community, and Cybersecurity Skills in Kuwait

Cybersecurity Leaders Program Kuwait

For many professionals interested in cybersecurity, knowing where to begin can be the biggest challenge. The Cyber Security Leaders Program, delivered through a partnership between SANS Institute, the Kuwait Institute of Banking Studies (KIBS), and the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), was designed to help individuals build both the technical skills and confidence needed to pursue cybersecurity careers.

Through hands-on training, globally recognised GIAC certifications, and opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and industry professionals, the program is helping participants across Kuwait discover new career pathways and become part of a growing cybersecurity community.

“Meeting the other participants and especially the other women in this program has been excellent. There aren’t many other women in this field, and I’ve enjoyed meeting and learning from others who are driven to develop their careers.”

Finding Direction in Cybersecurity

Maryam Salah Madid joined the program while working at the Ministry of Public Works, having recently transitioned into the Department of IT after three years with the organisation.

Although she had a strong interest in cybersecurity, Maryam often felt uncertain about where to begin developing her skills and had limited opportunities to apply her knowledge in practice.

“I felt stuck in my current position, unable to progress or specialise,” she explained. “The Cyber Security Leaders Program has helped my professional development a lot, helping to give me a clear idea of which areas and roles within cybersecurity to focus on.”

The structure of the training allowed Maryam to gradually build her knowledge and confidence. Beginning with SEC275 before progressing to SEC401 and SEC504 helped bridge gaps in her understanding and introduced more advanced concepts in a manageable way.

“The SANS training material was structured in a good way, and with the support of the SANS instructors, I was able to build my knowledge. The program has given me the confidence to ask for new tasks at work, and I feel more comfortable analysing and diving deeper into identifying cyber threats.”

Building a Supportive Community

Beyond the technical training, one of the most valuable aspects of the program for Maryam was the opportunity to connect with other participants, particularly other women pursuing cybersecurity careers.

“Meeting the other participants and especially the other women in this program has been excellent. There aren’t many other women in this field, and I’ve enjoyed meeting and learning from others who are driven to develop their careers.”

The community built throughout the program also became an important support network.

“The program has also given me access to a community of people I can turn to for support and answers. For anyone not in the community, it is more difficult to find answers.”

It has helped being able to achieve the GIAC certifications; I have heard from many of my peers that adding the SANS training and GIAC certifications completed through the program has opened new career opportunities for them.”

Empowering Growth Through Community and Confidence

Maryam’s experience demonstrates how the Cyber Security Leaders Program supports participants beyond technical development alone. Through structured learning, peer collaboration, and access to a supportive cybersecurity community, participants gain the confidence to take on new responsibilities and pursue specialised career paths.

By creating opportunities for networking, mentorship, and hands-on learning, the program is helping build a stronger, more connected cybersecurity workforce across Kuwait.