Code. Protect. Empower. Workshop Inspires 47 Female HTL Students to Explore Cybersecurity Careers
At the end of June, forty-seven female HTL students from across Austria participated in the two-day Code. Protect. Empower. – Cyber Security for Female Students workshop, gaining practical, hands-on experience in cybersecurity while exploring education and career opportunities in the field.
Organized by Shecurity, in collaboration with Cybersecurity Austria and SBA Research, the event was hosted by HTL Rennweg and supported by Österreichische Staatsdruckerei.
The workshop combined interactive technical sessions, practical exercises, and direct exchanges with cybersecurity experts from research and industry. Participants had the opportunity to experience cybersecurity beyond theory, including hands-on Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges that introduced real-world security concepts in an engaging environment.
© SBA Research
“I came without any prior knowledge, but I had the chance to experience cybersecurity firsthand instead of just learning about it. The CTF challenge was especially fun and showed me how exciting and diverse this field is. I would definitely participate again,” one participant shared.
Feedback from the students highlighted both their enthusiasm and a growing interest in cybersecurity education. Many expressed a desire for longer practical sessions and suggested introducing dedicated cybersecurity courses as part of the regular HTL curriculum.
Stephanie Jakoubi, Head of Shecurity, emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for young women to discover cybersecurity in an inclusive environment.
“Our goal was to inspire young women to explore cybersecurity and provide concrete insights into education and career paths. The fact that participants wanted to continue the workshops demonstrates the strong demand. Creating a safe and supportive environment was especially important, allowing participants to ask questions, experiment, and build confidence.”
The BSides Vienna visit gave students the opportunity to attend technical talks, connect with cybersecurity professionals, and gain first-hand insight into the vibrant security community, further reinforcing the workshop’s goal of showcasing real-world career paths and networking opportunities.
Through initiatives like Code. Protect. Empower., Shecurity, Cybersecurity Austria, and SBA Research continue to promote diversity in cybersecurity by supporting women and FINTA* individuals through training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The initiative aims to strengthen the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and help build a more diverse and resilient digital future.