Baku, Azerbaijan – 11 October 2025
This Saturday, Baku becomes a hub of regional dialogue and empowerment as it hosts the first-ever Women in Cyber international conference. The conference unites 300 participants from across the region, including experienced cyber experts and policymakers, academics, and rising talents, reflecting the growing strength of the region’s cyber and tech community.
Interest in the conference has exceeded expectations. Registration reached capacity well before the deadline, with strong interest also from men – a clear sign that the conversation about diversity in cybersecurity matters to everyone.
In Azerbaijan, women’s participation in the technology sector has been steadily rising, supported by initiatives promoting inclusion and leadership in ICT and STEM. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the role of women in cybersecurity is gaining recognition as both a national and regional priority. The Women in Cyber conference highlights this momentum by providing a platform for girls, students, and women professionals to connect, share experiences, and explore career opportunities, bridging generations of expertise across the Eastern Partnership region.
Mr Tural Məmmədov, Deputy Head of the General Department of the Special Communication and Information Security State Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SCISSS) and the patron of the event, underlined the importance of promoting women’s participation and leadership in cybersecurity quote from Mr Məmmədov: “Behind every secure system stands a diverse and dedicated team. Women bring unique perspectives, empathy, and precision that enrich the way we defend our digital world. This conference shows that when we empower women to lead in cybersecurity, we invest in a safer, smarter, and more inclusive future for our region. I am proud that Azerbaijan is contributing to this regional movement.”
“Cybersecurity connects people before it connects systems,” said Mrs Elsa Neeme, Senior Cybersecurity Expert and Project Team Lead at the e-Governance Academy (eGA). “Diversity brings strength, creativity, and new ways of thinking – and when women from across regions come together, we build not only skills but also trust and resilience. This conference shows how cooperation and shared purpose can make our digital world safer for everyone.”
Echoing this message, Mrs. Jana Krimpe, Founder of Femmes Digitales, noted: “This is not just a networking event, it’s a movement. Women, and the next generation of girls entering tech, are not waiting for permission to lead, they already are. They are building digital trust, defending critical infrastructure, and ensuring that cybersecurity reflects both strength and inclusivity. This conference is about turning that momentum into action.”
The Women in Cyber international conference marks a decisive step toward recognising that true cyber resilience must include everyone and that women and girls are already leading the way. The event reflects growing international cooperation in cybersecurity across the Eastern Partnership and beyond, promoting not only skills and innovation but also confidence and collaboration.
This milestone gathering is organised by Femmes Digitales – “Supporting Women in Tech” Public Union, in collaboration with the e-Governance Academy (eGA), and hosted as part of the Critical Infrastructure Defence Challenge 2025 (CIDC-2025).
The conference is supported by the Special Communications and Information Security State Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SCISSS) and the Association of Cybersecurity Organisations of Azerbaijan (AKTA).
It is held under the EU-funded initiative “Improving Cyber Resilience in the Eastern Partnership Countries 2.0”, implemented by eGA.
About the Agenda
The regional conference is moderated by Ms Natalia Spinu, Director European Institute for Political Studies in Moldova, Cybersecurity Expert at the e-Governance Academy, who will also bring in the Moldovan perspectives to cybersecurity.
The conference will open with welcoming remarks from distinguished guests, including Dr. Fariz Ismailzade – Vice-Rector of ADA University and Member of Parliament of Azerbaijan; Mr. Tural Mammadov – Deputy CEO of SCISSS; Mrs. Elsa Neeme – Senior Cybersecurity Expert and Project Team Lead at eGA; Mrs. Jana Krimpe – Founder and Chairwoman of Femmes Digitales and B.EST Solutions.
Keynote speeches will follow, addressing the strategic role of women in cybersecurity policy and practice, featuring H.E. Mrs. Amy Carlon – Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy to Azerbaijan and Mrs. Nataliya Tkachuk – Head of the Information and Cyber Security Directorate, Office of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
Two thematic panel discussions will form the core of the event:
Panel I – “Crisis Communication & Cyber Resilience”, moderated by Mr. Klaid Mägi (eGA), this discussion will explore regional experiences in building public trust and digital resilience during crises. Speakers include Mrs. Nino Vadakaria – Eastern Neighbourhood Cyber Programme Manager (Georgia); Mrs. Elsa Neeme – Senior Cybersecurity Expert and Project Team Lead, eGA (Estonia); Mrs. Toomas Vaks -Cybersecurity Expert from Estonia.
Panel II – “Breaking Barriers: Women Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity”, moderated by Mr. Rauf Jabarov – Executive Director of AKTA, this session will showcase the diverse journeys of women in cybersecurity: from law and policy to entrepreneurship and ethical hacking. Speakers include Mrs. Jana Krimpe – Founder and Chairwoman of Femmes Digitales and B.EST Solutions (Azerbaijan); Mrs. Nata Goderdzishvili – Founder of Women in Cyber (Georgia); Dr. Olga Pasichnyk – Senior Expert on Registers for the EU4DigitalUA Project, eGA (Estonia); Mrs. Zari Uslu – Cyber Security Lead, ICT Sector / WiCSME Affiliate (UAE).
The event will conclude with a forward-looking session titled “From Insights to Impact: Your Next Steps Forward”. The session will inspire participants to turn ideas into concrete actions and to help sustain a strong, inclusive, and cross-border community of women cybersecurity professionals.
About the Organisers
Femmes Digitales – “Supporting Women in Tech” Public Union”
A leading public association in Azerbaijan promoting women’s participation in ICT, STEM, and entrepreneurship through mentorship, leadership development, and education.
AKTA – Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan
A national platform uniting cybersecurity stakeholders in Azerbaijan, fostering collaboration, capacity building, and resilience across public and private sectors.
Special Communications and Information Security State Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SCISSS)
The government agency responsible for safeguarding national communications infrastructure and information security, playing a key role in building national cyber resilience.
e-Governance Academy (eGA)
An Estonian-based non-profit centre of excellence advancing digital transformation, cybersecurity, and open governance worldwide. Amongst other projects, eGA implements the EU-funded “Improving Cyber Resilience in the Eastern Partnership Countries 2.0”, which strengthens regional cooperation and capacity building in cybersecurity.
