Standard Chartered Bank has forged a partnership with Microsoft India and the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) to place 18 young women professionals from tier II and tier III cities in India in cyber security roles as part of the CyberShikshaa (cyber education) program. The program is aimed at skilling young women graduates who come from communities away from India’s major population centers. Graduates with an engineering degree but with lack of access to opportunities are considered and trained to be job-ready and employable in the industry. Keshav Dhakad, Group Head and General Counsel, Microsoft India, said the company is deeply committed to bridge the gender gap in technology and to create viable career pathways for women in technology. The partnership with DSCI on the CyberShikshaa program is a strong step in that direction. Standard Chartered has committed to hire cybersecurity talent who have completed their training program. Yuval Illuz, Group Chief Information Security Officer & COO, Trust, Data & Resilience, Standard Chartered, said attracting women to take up cybersecurity careers require a range of efforts. More importantly, increasing women’s participation in cybersecurity is not just good for women, it’s absolutely important for the business and our society, he added.
