WiCyS Launches 2025–2026 Professional Mentorship Program to Empower Women in Cybersecurity

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), the global nonprofit advancing the representation of women in the cybersecurity field, has announced the launch of its 2025–2026 Professional Mentorship Program, a nine-month initiative designed to strengthen career growth, leadership, and confidence among women professionals.

Expanding Opportunities for Women in Cybersecurity

The mentorship program returns this year with a refreshed structure and expanded benefits, providing a more personalized experience for participants. Research highlights the transformative impact of mentoring: mentees are promoted five times more often, while mentors themselves are six times more likely to advance in their careers.

Dual-Track Structure for Career Stages

For the first time, WiCyS has divided the program into two tailored tracks:

• WiCyS Professional Mentorship Program – now open for enrollment.
• WiCyS Aspiring Professional Mentorship Program – set to launch in December 2025.

This model ensures that both early-career professionals and seasoned practitioners gain relevant guidance aligned with their career stage.

Program Highlights and Curriculum

Thanks to strategic support from Google, the program will provide a robust mentorship framework. Over nine months, participants will engage in monthly small-group virtual sessions, covering themes such as:

• Goal setting
• Negotiation and influence
• Leadership and communication
• Career development strategies

Additional features include resume reviews, quarterly fireside chats, and access to curated resources for both mentors and mentees.

Enrollment Details

The program officially kicks off on September 17, 2025, with sessions running from October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Enrollment is open until August 27, 2025, for WiCyS members aged 19 and older who are currently employed or within one year of starting full-time work.

Interested applicants can learn more and apply at: WiCyS Mentorship Program.

About WiCyS

Founded in 2013 by Dr. Ambareen Siraj at Tennessee Tech University with support from the National Science Foundation, WiCyS is committed to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cybersecurity worldwide. Its ecosystem is supported by leading strategic partners, including Google, Cisco, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, and Accenture, among others.