Bridging the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity: SANS Institute and Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Unveil International Women’s Day Scholarship for Cutting-Edge AI Course

The partnership aims to address the underrepresentation of women in cybersecurity by providing free access to cutting-edge AI security training.

Bethesda, MD - In celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2024, the SANS Institute is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) to offer an exclusive giveaway of 20 seats in the AIS247: AI Security Essentials for Business Leaders course. This initiative underscores both organizations' commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the cybersecurity industry by addressing the underrepresentation of women in cyber.

Lynn Dohm, Executive Director of WiCyS, emphasizes the importance of this initiative: "Partnering with SANS Institute for a course giveaway on International Women's Day supports our mission to help bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity. By providing women with access to cutting-edge training, we are not only equipping them with the tools necessary for advancement but also inspiring a new generation to pursue careers in this dynamic field."

This partnership aligns with the broader efforts of SANS and WiCyS, including the Women's Cyber Academy and WiCyS Security Training Scholarship, to provide resources and training opportunities for women in cybersecurity. Participants in the AIS247 course will gain insights into practical applications of AI in the workplace, including content creation, data analysis, software engineering, customer support, and cybersecurity. This hands-on approach ensures learners can directly apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios, advancing their careers while contributing to a more secure digital world.

Heather Mahalik-Barnhart, SANS Fellow and a prominent figure in cybersecurity, also shared her enthusiasm: "The AIS247 course represents more than just a learning opportunity—it's a gateway for women to master the intricacies of AI in cybersecurity. We're not just offering access to cutting-edge education; we're opening doors to innovation, leadership, and empowerment for WiCyS members. It's our belief that through this initiative, women will not just participate but will help lead in the evolving AI landscape. We're beyond excited to bring this transformative experience to the WiCyS community and beyond."

The giveaway will take place via a trivia engagement campaign on LinkedIn, highlighting both SANS and WiCyS's dedication to empowering women already in the cybersecurity field to advance their careers. Eligibility for the giveaway is extended to all WiCyS members, with the opportunity for new members to join on the day and still qualify for a chance to win one of the coveted course seats.

For more information on the AIS247 course, visit: https://www.sans.org/cyber-security-courses/ai-security-essentials-business-leaders/

To learn more about this unique giveaway, visit: https://www.wicys.org/event/win-sans-cutting-edge-ai-scholarship-to-celebrate-iwd-24/

About SANS Institute

The SANS Institute was established in 1989 as a cooperative research and education organization. Today, SANS is the most trusted and, by far, the largest provider of cybersecurity training and certification to professionals in government and commercial institutions worldwide. Renowned SANS instructors teach more than 60 courses at in-person and virtual cybersecurity events and OnDemand. GIAC, an affiliate of the SANS Institute, validates practitioner skills through more than 35 hands-on technical certifications in cybersecurity. The SANS Technology Institute, a regionally accredited independent subsidiary, offers master’s and bachelor’s degrees, graduate certificates, and an undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity. SANS also delivers a wide variety of free resources to the InfoSec community, including consensus projects, research reports, webcasts, podcasts, and newsletters; it also operates the Internet's early warning system–the Internet Storm Center. At the heart of SANS are the many security practitioners, representing varied global organizations from corporations to universities, working together to support and educate the global information security community. www.sans.org