Kebakile Sebe #HerCyberStory

“In my last year of college, a friend sent me a link to a cybersecurity training program, run by the CyberSafe Foundation called CyberGirls Fellowship. Getting in wasn’t easy; there was this whole process, including my very first interview, which must’ve gone pretty well since I made the cut.

Balancing the program with school and a new job as a junior developer was like trying to keep too many balls in the air. It was tough, but I managed to work out a schedule that fit everything in, just barely.

The course kicked off with the basics of cybersecurity, which we all had to get through before we could pick a niche to focus on. I was stoked to dive into vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, the area I was most interested in. The cool part? CyberSafe Foundation gave us free licenses, with which to learn and be exposed to practical environments. These licenses usually cost a pretty penny.

Of course, it wasn’t a walk in the park. There were challenges, like trying to sync up with teammates in different time zones, dealing with tech issues on my computer, and the constant pressure to keep up with the coursework. But the hard work paid off at my job.

Witnessing first hand how much my cybersecurity skills had grown in a short time, my project manager at work offered me a role as a junior information security role in a national project.

I’m really thankful for this journey. A huge thanks to the entire team at CyberSafe Foundation for this amazing opportunity.” – Kebakile Sebe

CyberGirls Fellowship is Africa’s biggest cybersecurity training and mentorship program for young women in Africa.

PS: What was your biggest takeaway from Kebakile Sebe’s #cyberstory