All-Ukrainian Women’s CTF Competition SHE DEFENDS: CYBER & OSINT – a practical space for developing cyber resilience and women’s leadership in cybersecurity

The All-Ukrainian Women’s CTF Competition SHE DEFENDS: CYBER & OSINT was held in Ukraine, aimed at developing women’s practical cyber skills and strengthening the cyber resilience of the national security and defense sector amid modern hybrid and cyber threats.

The event was organized in cooperation with the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, together with the technical partner Cyber Unit Technologies, and with the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and CRDF Global.

About 150 specialists from 25 teams participated both online and offline. These included professionals in IT and cybersecurity from the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Police of Ukraine, the National Bank of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, NEC “Ukrenergo”, the State Border Guard Service, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the company Amonsul, and other authorized state bodies, as well as students and young cybersecurity specialists from higher education institutions, including the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute”, the State University of Information and Communication Technologies, Zhytomyr Polytechnic, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, Lviv Polytechnic, Odesa Polytechnic, Khmelnytskyi National University, Zhytomyr Military Institute named after S.P. Korolyov, Vinnytsia National Technical University, National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, KNUBA, SET University, the Institute of Special Communications and Information Protection, and ISZI KPI named after Igor Sikorsky.

SHE DEFENDS: CYBER & OSINT is not only a learning experience but also a space where participants apply their knowledge in conditions as close as possible to real cyber threats.

“In today’s environment, cybersecurity is an integral component of national security. There are false stereotypes that cybersecurity is only for men. In fact, gender balance is not only a matter of equality but a strategic necessity for strengthening Ukraine’s defense capability. We support initiatives like SHE DEFENDS because they contribute to the development of professional capacities and attract new specialists to the system protecting our country,” said Valeriy Churkіn, Coordinator for Digitalization, AI, and Cybersecurity of the Secretariat of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, while opening the event.

SHE DEFENDS: CYBER & OSINT aims to promote gender diversity in cybersecurity, enhance interagency cooperation, and create an environment for knowledge exchange between experienced specialists and future professionals.

“Cybersecurity is one of the most important areas of modern defense where Ukraine and Canada see opportunities to expand partnership. Supporting women in cybersecurity is an investment in the resilience of democratic institutions. Canada is proud to support projects that change Ukraine’s security and develop human potential,” emphasized Her Excellency Natalka Tsmoț, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine.

The main goal of the event is to develop practical skills in cyber threat analysis, strengthen collective cyber resilience of Ukraine’s security and defense bodies, enhance coordination among involved structures, and support the professional growth of women in cybersecurity.

“Less than a year and a half ago, we launched a National Initiative to strengthen the role of women in cybersecurity by creating a culture of participation in such competitions — and today we already have impressive results. Thanks to you, we will continue developing this culture, not only increasing the number of women involved in cybersecurity but also strengthening women’s leadership in this field,” emphasized Nataliya Tkachuk, Head of the Department of Information Security and Cyber Protection of the NSDC Secretariat, Secretary of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Center.

We sincerely congratulate the winners:

1st place – team “dcc,” representatives of NTUU KPI named after Igor Sikorsky;

2nd place – team “milworms,” representatives of the Institute of Special Communications and Information Protection;

3rd place – team “Hexalith,” a combined team of representatives from NEC “Ukrenergo,” the National Bank, GUR, DSSZI, and the company Guaaninfo.