In the past couple of years, there’s been a sharp uptick in cyberattacks in the Middle East, with many companies in the Middle East suffering larger losses than other regions. Cybersecurity has become a top priority for business leaders and governments in the region.

Interestingly, a recent Boston Consulting Group and Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) poll found that over 90% of Middle Eastern women undergraduates taking STEM courses are considering getting a degree in cybersecurity.

Globally, only a small percentage of women work in the field – only 25% of cybersecurity workers worldwide are women at the moment.

The study Empowering Women to Work in Cybersecurity is a Win-Win focused on women undergraduates taking STEM courses in six different regions and 26 different countries. It intends to shed light on the obstacles women interested in STEM must overcome and their long-term career prospects in cybersecurity.

The Middle East had the greatest interest rate compared to the other six international regions, at 94%, in getting a degree in cybersecurity. With 88% of women reporting knowledge of cybersecurity programs available at their schools, the region also leads the nation in cybersecurity awareness.

Initiatives and partnerships head at GCF Alaa Al-Faadhel stated that the report demonstrates that women are ready to close the skill gap in the cybersecurity profession.

“With the right encouragement from a young age, women can not only begin to enter the industry but also become leaders in their field. By bringing together the leading voices and minds of cyberspace at the GCF, we are confident that we can bridge this gap,” Faadhel said.

Most Innovative Companies comes to the Middle East this October! Click here to know more.