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CURRENT PROGRAMS
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Connect. Grow. Lead in Cybersecurity.
The WiCyS Austin Affiliate Mentorship Program empowers women in cybersecurity through meaningful connections, guidance, and community. Whether you’re just starting out or advancing into leadership, mentorship helps you build confidence, skills, and a strong professional network.
Why Join?
Cybersecurity is challenging and fast‑moving. You don’t have to navigate it alone. The WiCyS Austin Affiliate Mentorship Program provides trusted support from professionals who understand the journey.
What the Program Offers?
Thoughtful mentor–mentee matching across career stages and disciplines
Career guidance, skill development, and industry insight
A supportive, inclusive community committed to growth and resilience
For Mentees
Gain clarity and confidence in your career path
Learn from experienced cybersecurity professionals
Expand your network within the WiCyS Austin Affiliate community
For Mentors
Give back and shape the future of cybersecurity
Develop leadership and coaching skills
Make a lasting impact on women in the field
Be Part of the Community!
Mentorship strengthens individuals—and the entire cybersecurity ecosystem. Join the WiCyS Austin Affiliate Mentorship Program and grow alongside women who support, inspire, and lead.
Academic Program Mission
The WiCyS Austin Affiliate Academic Program advances the mission of Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) by building strong partnerships with Austin-area universities and community colleges that offer cybersecurity degrees and continuing education opportunities, as well as with K-12 schools and educators across the region. Through these collaborations, the program promotes inclusion, professional growth, and the advancement of women and girls in cybersecurity at every stage of their journey.
Aligned with the national WiCyS commitment to recruitment, retention, and advancement, the Austin Affiliate fosters intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on technical learning. The program supports local university and community college students by providing access to technical presentations on relevant cybersecurity topics, professional development opportunities, exposure to emerging technologies, and support in completing certification programs.
The Austin Affiliate also invests in the next generation of cybersecurity talent by reaching out to elementary, middle, and high school students to spark early interest in the field. Through age-appropriate workshops, classroom visits, mentorship, and hands-on activities, the program introduces younger students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity and computational thinking — building confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging long before they reach college. These efforts aim to widen the pipeline of future women in cybersecurity by meeting students early and nurturing their interest over time.
Key initiatives include mentorship opportunities at every educational level, technical experiences such as Capture the Flag competitions and hackathons, early career support through résumé reviews and interview workshops, and K-12 outreach programs designed to demystify cybersecurity for younger audiences. Students and educators alike benefit from engagement with experienced industry professionals and access to exclusive networking events that encourage connection, feedback, and community building.
Through these efforts, the WiCyS Austin Affiliate contributes to a stronger, more diverse cybersecurity workforce — one that starts building talent, confidence, and interest from elementary school through career — while reinforcing the national WiCyS organization's goals and impact.
SPEAKER AND TOPIC IDEAS - 2026
Got a talk you’re hungry to hear or give? Tell us what would serve you best in 2026!
Send your talk or topic ideas to austin-affiliate@wicys.org
Use CODE: 2026 IDEA in your subject line.
Format: 2026 IDEA – <Your Talk or Topic>
What we’re looking for:
Technical deep dives (cloud, IAM, detection engineering, threat modeling, red/blue/purple)
AI in security (LLMs, guardrails, evals, SOC copilots)
Career & leadership (break-in stories, interview drills, salary/negotiation) Sector spotlights (healthcare, fintech, gov, startups)
Hands-on workshops (Burp, SIEMS, Sigma/Detection-as-Code, lab nights) Please include: preferred format (talk / panel / workshop), level (intro / intermediate / advanced), and ideal month/data/time.
PREVIOUS PROGRAMS
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