The aim of CyberWizards, an international cyber camp for girls, is to encourage girls to explore the field of cyber security. This year marks the fourth time the camp has been held, with 93 girls from nine different countries taking part this time round.
According to Tiina Pau, expert-coordinator at the Information System Authority (RIA), the demand for new talent in the field of cyber security is growing, but women remain underrepresented in this sector.
‘The field of cyber security is in increasing need of skilled specialists, and an interest in it often develops as early as at school. The camp gives girls the chance to experience for themselves just how varied, creative, and exciting this field really is. If they leave here knowing that they, too, could choose to study IT or pursue a career in cyber security in the future, we will have achieved our goal,’ said Pau. ‘Our greatest reward is if, a few years later, we hear that a former camp participant has decided to pursue a career in IT and hopes to work in the field of cyber security in the future.’
This year, the camp’s reach extends from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean – in addition to girls from Latvia, Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Ukraine, and Cyprus, girls from the Bahamas and Fiji will be taking part for the first time. 43 girls from Estonia will attend the camp.
According to Ingrid Viinapuu, Telia’s Head of People and Culture, Telia is supporting the participation of five girls in the CyberWizards camp. ‘Although an increasing number of women are now working in the technology sector, their representation in many areas of IT and cyber security remains modest. This change begins as early as during school, when young people make their first choices regarding their education and careers. Telia wants to give girls the opportunity to discover the world of technology in a practical and inspiring way, and to see that a career in technology is open to everyone. Initiatives such as CyberWizards help to build self-confidence, interest, and skills, which will benefit both young people themselves and Estonia’s digital economy as a whole in the future,’ noted Viinapuu.
Over the course of a week, participants will tackle practical cyber security tasks, learn the basics of programming and digital security, take part in workshops, and develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills. As well as gaining technical knowledge, the camp offers the opportunity to learn in an international environment, forge friendships with young people from different countries, and discover that the challenges of the digital world are best tackled through collaboration.
The cyber camp for girls is organised by the Information System Authority. The participation of girls from the Bahamas and Fiji is supported by the LAC4 and EU CyberNet projects, which are funded by the European Union and implemented by RIA. The camp is co-funded by the European Union and the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre.
