Recommendations for Women in Cyber. State Institutions Level

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF CYBERSECURITY AT THE LEVEL OF STATE INSTITUTIONS

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MOTIVATION BY ECONOMIC FACTORS 1.1. Encourage women who want to start their own cybersecurity business: • Develop free educational programs on entrepreneurship and business management • Provide affordable loan programs for women starting a cybersecurity business for the first time • Provide a tax grace period for such enterprises 1.2. Create and offer government grant programs for the development of businesses started by women in the cybersecurity sector 1.3. Provide opportunities for women-led cybersecurity businesses to enter the international market:

• Invite such enterprises to participate free of charge in comprehensive national stands at international exhibition events.

• Provide grants for women founders of Ukrainian cybersecurity businesses to attend and speak at international industry forums, conferences, meetings and summits • Disseminate information about the opportunities of international chambers of commerce for such businesses

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SUPPORT FOR PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES AND NATIONAL INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS 2.1. Support women's associations in the cybersecurity sector: •

Take an active part in public events, discussions, roundtables, working groups organised by such associations to share best practices and expertise in the field of cybersecurity

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Invite representatives of such organisations to public discussions of draft amendments to legislation and other important changes in the state policy of cybersecurity regulation

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Provide grants and targeted funding to support the projects of such associations

2.2. Share the stories of successful women, including those in leadership positions, in the cybersecurity civil service in Ukraine and globally 2.3. Develop and implement information campaigns on the diversity of cybersecurity professions, focusing on gender equality, unacceptability of gender bias, bullying or ageism in the field

Recommendations for overcoming obstacles to women's professional development in the field of cybersecurity at the level of state institutions

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIELD OF CYBERSECURITY AT THE LEVEL OF STATE INSTITUTIONS

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CREATION OF STATE PROGRAMS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF REGULATION 3.1. Diversify the existing Specialty “125. Cybersecurity and Information Protection” for Ukrainian higher education institutions 3.2. Develop a state program of career guidance in the field of cybersecurity for students in grades 9-11 of Ukrainian educational institutions with an emphasis on equal opportunities for girls and boys in this field 3.3. Develop and implement nationwide state programs to develop a culture of gender equality in all spheres of life and professional communities in line with global analogues 3.4. Conduct regular cybersecurity market research: • Collect statistics and monitor the dynamics of gender equality in cybersecurity • Conduct sociological research, including the study of changes in public opinion on this issue at all levels: academic education, employers and government agencies • Monitor the economic performance of the cybersecurity market and its correlation with the development of gender equality in this area 3.5. Provide state programs for legal and psychological support for women in cybersecurity who face discrimination based on gender, age or other characteristics in the workplace 3.6. Provide other opportunities for women in cybersecurity: • Create and offer retraining programs • Create new jobs and businesses • Promote the involvement of Ukrainian cybersecurity professionals in international missions and projects

Recommendations for overcoming obstacles to women's professional development in the field of cybersecurity at the level of state institutions