(ISC)2 Sponsors the Center for Cyber Safety and Education's Cybersecurity Scholarship Program for Women

CLEARWATER, Fla., May 25, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- (ISC)²® ("ISC-squared") and the Center for Cyber Safety and Education (the Center) awarded eight women scholarships to help support their undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity studies. (ISC)²'s sponsorship with the Center is part of a broader initiative to grant cybersecurity opportunities for women and girls.

"By 2022 the cybersecurity workforce gap is expected to hit 1.8 million – it's a source of continued frustration that women still comprise only 11 percent of positions in the industry," says (ISC)² CEO David Shearer. "We simply have to do better. Women offer a diverse set of skills needed to build robust organizations and are well-equipped to solve the industry's greatest challenges. We are dedicated to fostering opportunities for women and girls to contribute to and build a career in a dynamic, growing field."

The recipients of this year's scholarships include:

• Saleema Adejumo, master's student in security and risk management at University of Leicester, UK
• Jan Buitron, doctorate of computer science student at Colorado Technical University, US
• Valerie Chen, undergraduate student in computer science at Yale University, US
• Mudita Khurana, master's student in information security at Carnegie Mellon University, US
• Ai Nguyen, undergraduate student in electrical engineering and computer science at University of California Berkley, US
• Avanthika Ramesh, undergraduate student in electrical engineering, computer science and business administration at University of California Berkley, US
• Serita Sergent, undergraduate student in cyber security, computer science at New York University, US
• Susan Wanja, master's student in cybersecurity technology at University of Maryland University College, US

Award recipient, Serita Sergent says, "It will push me much harder to achieve my goals and help break the stigma for women in STEM, both in my community and all over the world."

The Center and (ISC) ² have granted scholarships to 34 women since 2011 and grants $175,000 in undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity scholarships annually to qualified applicants. To learn more, please visit https://iamcybersafe.org/scholarships/.

About (ISC)²® 
(ISC)² is an international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Best known for the acclaimed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) certification, (ISC)² offers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic, programmatic approach to security. Our membership, over 120,000 strong, is made up of certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals who are making a difference and helping to advance the industry. Our vision is supported by our commitment to educate and reach the general public through our charitable foundation – The Center for Cyber Safety and Education^TM. For more information on (ISC)², visit www.isc2.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook. 

About Center for Cyber Safety and Education
The Center for Cyber Safety and Education (the Center), is a non-profit charitable trust committed to making the cyber world a safer place for everyone. The Center works to ensure that people across the globe have a positive and safe experience online through their educational programs, scholarships, and research. Visit www.iamcybersafe.org.

© 2017 (ISC)² Inc., (ISC)², CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CAP, CSSLP, HCISPP, CCFP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP and CBK are registered marks of (ISC)², Inc.

SOURCE (ISC)2