“The training took participants deep into real-world cybersecurity practices – from incident response and digital forensics to threat intelligence and malware analysis. This hands-on format, filled with simulations, mentoring and capture-the-flag challenges pushed boundaries and built confidence. This kind of practical and collaborative learning is essential for regional resilience: strengthening individual skills and networking directly contributes to building collective cyber resilience and capacity.” – Liina Areng, Director of LAC4.

The agenda also included site visits to CSIRT-RD and Dominican Defence CSIRT at C5i, mentorship sessions and practical workshops on OSINT, threat hunting and digital forensics, showing the everyday work and tools of incident handlers and investigators.

This training was part of Her CyberTracks programme which this year brought together more than 250 women from 42 different countries for a intensive five-month trainings designed to equip women with skills and mindset for success in cybersecurity.

Her CyberTracks is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany and the European Union and co-implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in partnership with the Global Programme on Cybercrime of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for the Criminal Justice CyberTrack and the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4) for the LAC region. 

Participants’ Feedback

“Malware analysis, omg, I survived! Learned about different tools to identify malware and I’ll be looking further into the process to understand the big picture.”

“I learned that I CAN do hard stuff!”

“The practical exercises were super fun and the energy in the group – amazing!”

“An extraordinary experience with really good teachers that help you learn – and learn well!”

“Exciting experience! I had lots of fun and definitely want to take part in many more CTFs.”

“It helped to bring girls together with similar goals in life and built a lot of self-confidence.”

“An amazing experience – I can’t believe how challenging (in a good way) it was! I learned so much this past week and I’m leaving inspired, with a lot of tools and concepts to keep exploring.”

• Meet all participants here: https://www.lac4.eu/her-cybertracks-empowering-women-to-shape-the-future-of-cybersecurity/
• Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCwEnZ