The General Women’s Union (GWU), in collaboration with the UAE Cyber Security Council and the Khalifa Empowerment Programme (Aqdar), continues to take significant steps towards empowering women and families in the field of cybersecurity through its Cyber Pulse Initiative. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, this initiative aims to strengthen digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness across the UAE by equipping women with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect themselves and their communities from cyber threats.
The second phase of the Cyber Pulse Initiative involves an intensive series of workshops designed to train 129 female candidates, who will serve as future trainers, reaching thousands of individuals through courses and lectures focused on safe digital practices.
The Cyber Pulse Initiative was launched with the purpose of fostering a safe digital environment for women and families. As part of the second batch of the initiative, 129 participants are being prepared to become cybersecurity ambassadors, helping to disseminate crucial information on how to stay safe in the digital age. These women will be instrumental in delivering workshops and educational sessions to ensure that the community at large benefits from this initiative, particularly focusing on underserved populations.
During the first phase of the second batch of the initiative, participants receive training on a variety of essential cybersecurity topics, including:
- Understanding Cyber Threats: Participants are taught to identify common cyber threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware.
- Securing Devices and Passwords: The importance of strong, unique passwords and regular device updates are emphasized to mitigate the risks of unauthorized access.
- Safe Social Media Practices: The workshops focus on raising awareness of social media risks, teaching safe practices, and protecting personal information online.
- Incident Reporting Mechanisms: Attendees learn how to identify and report cybersecurity incidents, ensuring rapid response to potential breaches.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) Risks: With AI becoming increasingly prevalent, the initiative explores the cybersecurity risks associated with its use, especially in the context of data protection.
The initiative’s impact is vast. In its previous phase, the goal was to reach 50,000 participants, but it surpassed expectations by engaging over 115,000 people. For the second batch, the initiative aims even higher—seeking to impact 300,000 beneficiaries from various community groups through 150 workshops, courses, and lectures.
In addition to individual training, the initiative brings together over 30 participating entities, including nine federal entities, 17 local entities, five higher education institutions, and two private sector organizations. These partners have nominated a select group of women who will be trained to lead this critical national effort to promote cybersecurity awareness.
The initiative’s ultimate aim is to spread a culture of responsible digital behavior across the UAE, ensuring that women and families are equipped with the tools they need to navigate the digital world safely. The program also seeks to build a network of female cyber experts, helping to close the gender gap in the field of cybersecurity and empowering women to take leadership roles in this vital industry.
10 Tips to Prevent Future Cyber Threats:
- Strong Password Management: Use unique, complex passwords for different accounts and change them regularly. Utilize password managers to store them securely.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA on all accounts that support it to add an additional layer of security.
- Regular Software Updates: Ensure your operating systems, applications, and antivirus software are up-to-date to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities.
- Beware of Phishing: Always double-check suspicious emails and links. Verify senders before sharing sensitive information.
- Social Media Privacy Settings: Set social media accounts to private, and avoid oversharing personal information that could be used by cybercriminals.
- Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Use strong encryption settings on home Wi-Fi networks and avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions.
- Backup Data Regularly: Create regular backups of critical data to prevent data loss in case of a cyberattack.
- Educate Family Members: Promote awareness among family members, especially children, about the importance of online safety.
- Monitor Financial Accounts: Regularly check financial statements for suspicious activity and report any anomalies immediately.
- Report Cyber Incidents: Familiarize yourself with official channels to report cybercrimes and encourage quick response to mitigate the impact of security breaches.
Conclusion:
The Cyber Pulse Initiative is a shining example of the UAE’s commitment to securing its digital future by empowering women and families with the tools they need to stay safe online. By building a strong network of trained cyber experts, the initiative is not only strengthening cybersecurity across the country but also fostering a culture of digital responsibility. With ambitious goals to reach 300,000 participants, the initiative continues to inspire and uplift the nation’s efforts in achieving cyber resilience.
As digital threats continue to evolve, initiatives like Cyber Pulse demonstrate the UAE’s proactive approach to cybersecurity education, ensuring that its citizens remain vigilant, informed, and protected.
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