On November 7-8, Karlstad University hosted the inaugural Security Divas Sweden, a national conference focusing on cybersecurity and information security that aims to spotlight women in these fields. The event was organized by Karlstad University in collaboration with the Compare Foundation.
The conference welcomed eleven female role models who shared key insights on topics such as information influence, data protection and current perspectives on cybersecurity. Among the speakers were Kau alumna and Telia's Head of Security Malin Fransen Kronberg, as well as representatives from Volvo, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency, as well as researchers in cybersecurity. In addition to regional and national speakers, the event featured international guests like Marit Hansen, State Data Protection Commissioner from ULD in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, and Peggy Lill Sandbekken, director of the Center for Cyber and Information Security at NTNU in Norway. Peggy was instrumental in launching Security Divas Norway, now a well-established conference with hundreds of participants.
“Security Divas Sweden is inspired by Security Divas Norway, focusing on elevating non-male pioneers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Celebrating and showcasing these leaders is crucial for inspiring others and challenging societal norms” said Ala Sarah Alaqra, Associate Professor of Informatics and co-organizer of the conference.
Simone Fischer-Hübner, Professor of Computer Science, emphasized the importance of the conference in giving women a voice in cybersecurity:
“Security Divas creates opportunities for female experts and those interested in cybersecurity to connect and network. In Sweden, as in other countries with high gender equality, the share of women in STEM careers or education is disappointingly low. Yet, research has shown that diversity in cybersecurity teams is essential for achieving the highest quality. Initiatives like the CBCC project and Cybercampus Sweden aim to engage more women in cybersecurity, and Security Divas is a key activity toward that goal”, she said.
A successful conference with broad participation
“The conference was a great success, covering a wide range of cybersecurity topics such as risks, data protection, cyber resilience, and current challenges in the field” said Ala Sarah Alaqra.
Security Divas Sweden is envisioned as a platform to highlight and support female talent in the sector, inspire them to contribute to the future of information security, and encourage them to take on leadership roles in the industry.
“It’s fantastic that we were able to gather so many interested and engaged participants for this first conference and network meeting. Interest in cybersecurity is strong, and there is a pressing need for more talent in the field, so showcasing role models is crucial", said Ingrid Ivars, CBCC project leader at Compare and initiator of Security Divas Sweden.
The conference serves as a starting point. Security Divas Sweden is intended to continue not only as a conference concept but also as a network for women in tech and information security.
