03 Jun R110,000 cybersecurity scholarship launched for women of colour in South Africa

A cybersecurity scholarship has been launched in South Africa to encourage women of colour to upskill.

The scholarship has been launched by KnowBe4, provider of one of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platforms. It has partnered with the Centre for Cyber Safety and Education to launch the KnowBe4 Women of Colour in Cybersecurity (South Africa) Scholarship.

The recipient of this award will receive an R110,000 ($7,090.68) scholarship on behalf of KnowBe4 as well as an (ISC)² certification education package. The award will be given to a singular student and in future, students may reapply to be considered for another scholarship. Applicants will be scored in three categories; passion, merit and financial need.

The scholarship aims to assist in diversifying the cybersecurity workforce in South Africa among women. Currently, women make up less than 10% of the cybersecurity workforce in Africa. This combined with the high unemployment rate in South Africa at 34.5%, means education is needed more than ever.

Anna Collard, SVP of content strategy & evangelist at KnowBe4 Africa, said: “This new scholarship is part of a broader effort by KnowBe4 to drive opportunities that help to create more diversity throughout the cybersecurity workforce in South Africa and beyond.

“We are grateful for our partnership with the Centre for Cyber Safety and Education to provide this scholarship and are looking forward to selecting a very deserving recipient.”

The application period opens on 1 June 2022 and closes on September 19, 2022.

For more information on and to apply for the KnowBe4 Women of Colour in Cybersecurity (South Africa) Scholarship administered by the Centre for Cyber Safety and Education, visit https://www.iamcybersafe.org/s/knowbe4-women-of-colour-south-africa.