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The Organization of American States and Trend Micro promote in Latin America the first edition of the security workshop "Cyberwomen Challenge"

Cyberwomen Challenge provides real-world cybersecurity training and knowledge

Washington, June, 1. 2018 – The Organization of American States (OAS) and Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, announced today the launch of the OAS Cyberwomen Challenge. There is a notable and growing shortage of trained professionals in cybersecurity, with room to grow diversity as the workforce is built up. This initiative is focused on developing cybersecurity skills in women in the ICT industry throughout Latin America to help bridge the diversity and skills gap and is part of a collaboration agreement between organizations to promote initiatives that contribute to a more secure and inclusive insurance in the field of cybersecurity.

Local governments, through their respective Ministries of Telecommunications, will join OAS and Trend Micro to help attendees improve their practical skills in cybersecurity through a cyberattack simulation based on real scenarios. Participants will solve “attack and defense” challenges with the guidance of an expert.

“The cybersecurity threats targeting organizations today, and the cybercriminals who develop and deploy these threats, make up a truly global enterprise of operations,” said Eva Chen, chief executive officer for Trend Micro. “Reflecting this diversity in the white hat workforce is a necessity to not only block, but also get ahead of the adversaries. This event facilitates a more diverse group of professionals in the security industry and fosters critical discussions among engineers that may not otherwise collaborate. Therefore, Trend Micro is proud to support the OAS Cyberwomen Challenge, and it supports our mission of making the world safe for the exchange of digital information.”

“Cybersecurity is already one of the main challenges facing the countries of the hemisphere. The transnational nature of the threats facing cybersecurity is a fundamental element of the countries' global agenda." At the same time, cybersecurity incorporates challenges that are present in other professional areas, such as inclusion and diversity. Today women represent a small part of this sector, and it is everyone's responsibility to turn around this situation. Collaborations such as developed by the OAS with Trend Micro boost the role of women in cybersecurity, without a doubt, contribute to reduce this gender gap”, declare Claudia Paz y Paz, Secretary of Multidimensional Security.

The number of women in cybersecurity is growing, but still remains at a low 11 percent around the world and in Latin America is lower, only 8 percent according to a study by Frost & Sullivan. To counter this, Trend Micro and the OAS want to encourage women to enhance their knowledge of cybersecurity and motivate them to pursue a career in the industry, and in leadership positions in the future to empower more diversity in their organizations.

The OAS Cyberwomen Challenge will take place in 10 countries in Latin America, starting in Colombia (Bogota) on June 2nd, followed by Guatemala and Chile in July, Mexico and Uruguay in August, Peru in September, Dominican Republic and Colombia (Medellin) in October, Argentina and different cities of Brazil in November and, finally, Costa Rica in December.

Women interested in participating in the OAS Cyberwomen Challenge must have basic knowledge of Windows and Linux, networks, threats, firewall, and intrusion prevention systems (IPS). This initiative is a full day event. For further information, please visit the website or send an email to cyberwomenchallenge@trendmicro.com

About Trend Micro

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, helps to make the world safe for exchanging digital information.  Our innovative solutions for consumers, businesses, and governments provide layered security for data centers, cloud environments, networks, and endpoints. All our products work together to seamlessly share threat intelligence and provide a connected threat defense with centralized visibility and investigation, enabling better, faster protection. With nearly 6.000 employees in over 50 countries and the world’s most advanced global threat intelligence, Trend Micro enables organizations to secure their connected world.  For more information, visit www.trendmicro.com.

About OAS

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the main political forum in the region, that bringing together all the independent nations of the Western Hemisphere to jointly promote democracy, strengthen human rights, foster peace, security and cooperation, and advance in the achievement of common interests.

Since its inception, the OAS has had as main objective prevent conflicts and provide political stability, social inclusion and prosperity in the region through dialogue and collective actions such as cooperation and mediation.

* “The 2017 Global Information Security Workforce Study: Women in Cybersecurity, 2017.” Frost & Sullivan. March 2017

Contacts for Media

Isabel Murcia
Mazalán Comunicaciones
+57 3164329506
[email protected]

Anamaría Hernández
Mazalán Comunicaciones
+57 3125240146
[email protected]

Miguel Angel Cañada
Communications Officer OEA
[email protected]

Reference: E-035/18