If you are not in the position to apply yourself, YOU CAN STILL HELP! Chances are you know a female student who will want to apply, and perhaps be inspired to get into the field. So tweet this, email this, Facebook this, talk about this and let’s work together to nurture the next generation of cyber defenders.
Why is this so important? For one, it’s been predicted that by the year 2020, the world will need 1.5 million more information security professionals. There are signs that this is starting to change—for proof, just watch this video featuring the girls who attended our Cyber Boot Camp 2015, which has gone from zero girls to 40 percent in just three years. Now it’s time to accelerate.
Second, balance is one of the most important factors in continued success of a company. Women bring different perspectives, viewpoints and approaches to problem-solving to the table, in everyday meetings and in the board rooms. This diversity of perspectives is particularly critical for the future of technology, as ESET’s Sr. Security Researcher Stephen Cobb highlighted in his TEDx talk (see the “white male effect” starting at 8:19), as well as for the future of our workforce, as our security researcher Lysa Myers has written.
ESET is proud to support women in STEM-related fields and promote equality in every aspect of the human professional experience. We believe that diversity and equality will only serve to advance cybersecurity and cyber-adjacent industries.
REQUIRMENTS, DETAILS AND HOW TO APPLY
ESET will award a $5,000 scholarship to a female who is pursuing a college-level degree and aspires to have a career in cybersecurity.
How do I qualify for the scholarship?
You must be a female enrolled in or accepted to an accredited undergraduate or graduate program in the United States. (The graduate/undergraduate program does not have to be a “cybersecurity” program; however in your application you should make clear that you aspire to have a career in the cybersecurity industry.)
You must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
You must be a US citizen or permanent resident with a permanent resident ID card.
What is the deadline for submission?
Submissions are accepted from March 1, 2018 – April 1, 2018, at 11:59pm PST
What do I submit / How do I submit my application?
Applicants must include the following as attachments to US-scholarship@eset.com with a subject line of "Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship":
· Application and complete essay questions (DOWNLOAD HERE)
· A copy of an unofficial transcript or acceptance letter as proof of enrollment.
· One letter of recommendation, signed by the recommending party.
Do I need to know anything else?
Essays may be submitted in English or Spanish.
Finalists must participate in a phone interview to be considered for the award.
Finalists may be required to supply additional personal or professional references.
Judging is conducted by a panel of ESET staff including cybersecurity experts.
Finalists may be asked to provide a photo of themselves, which may be used for promotional purposes.
Winner may be asked to join ESET in-person to receive the scholarship on May 3rd, at a cybersecurity event in San Diego, Calif., with expenses for travel and lodging paid by ESET. Ability to travel is not a requirement for the award, and your receiving the award is not contingent upon your ability to travel to accept the award in person.
The $5,000 award will be dispersed over the course of 2 years, with $2,500 the first year and $2,500 the second.
If the application or essays are illegible, it will not be considered.
Immediate family members or dependents of ESET employees are not eligible to participate.
What if I have more questions?
Please email us at US-scholarship@eset.com with any questions and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
When will you announce the winner?
The winner will be informed by April 10, 2018, and will be notified via email and phone.