She@Cyber launches free online cybersecurity training for women

Enrolment has opened for She@Cyber, a Europe-wide training programme to provide women and underrepresented groups with practical cybersecurity skills.

The She@Cyber initiative is part of the Erasmus+ programme and seeks to address the skills shortage and gender disparity in the cybersecurity sector. It is coordinated by Vernian RTI and delivered with the support of partners including ISACA, Innovation Hive, Geinnova, and Exeo Labs.

The programme offers open-access, self-paced online training, specifically designed for beginners and those from non-technical backgrounds. Participation is available to learners across Europe, focusing on building a European-wide community of individuals equipped to contribute to the cybersecurity workforce.

According to organisers, the curriculum comprises five key modules: Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Business Resilience, Emerging Technologies and Cybersecurity Challenges, Cyber Attack Theory and Defence Mechanisms, Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Cybersecurity, and Professional Skills for Cybersecurity Careers. Learners who complete modules receive certificates of participation.

The core of the curriculum includes ISACA's Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate, offering foundational credentials recognised by the industry to facilitate entry or transition into cyber roles.

Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA, said, "Cybersecurity urgently needs skilled talent and diverse perspectives. She@Cyber is not only about upskilling—it's about creating real, inclusive pathways into a sector that's critical for Europe's digital future. This initiative builds on the impact of ISACA's SheLeadsTech programme, extending our commitment to empowering women in digital trust across Europe."

The launch coincides with ongoing workforce challenges in the technology sector. ISACA's 2025 Tech Workplace & Culture Report found that 87% of global technology professionals acknowledge that gender disparities persist. It also revealed that nearly three-quarters (73%) of IT workers in Europe report experiencing burnout, often attributed to the shortage of trained talent.

She@Cyber aims to alleviate this pressure by widening access to vocational education in cybersecurity. Organisers say this could strengthen the overall pipeline of qualified professionals in the field. The training is free and accessible online to any interested learner in Europe.

As part of the wider launch, ISACA Europe has reaffirmed its commitment to skill development and diversity in the sector by becoming the first organisation to renew its pledge to the EU Cybersecurity Skills Academy. This renewal, which will remain active through December 2026, commits to regular progress updates to the European Commission and underscores ISACA's broader efforts, including its SheLeadsTech programme supporting women in digital trust and cybersecurity sectors.

The She@Cyber training is targeted at a diverse group, including women from non-technical backgrounds, job seekers and career changers interested in cybersecurity, individuals from disadvantaged groups such as neurodiverse people, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, VET and professional trainers, and SMES, startups, and microenterprises seeking cybersecurity talent.

Organisers say the project represents a new approach to cybersecurity education that is inclusive, flexible, and tailored to real-world needs. Its goal is to build both individual skills and broader sectoral resilience.