WiCyS Launches New GRC Training Program for Aspiring Cybersecurity Leaders

Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) Launches GRC Intensive Training Program

In an exciting development for aspiring cybersecurity leaders, Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) has announced the introduction of its Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Intensive Training Program. This 14-week program is engineered to empower early to mid-career cybersecurity professionals by providing them with essential hands-on skills and experience tailored to meet real-world enterprise needs.

As organizations increasingly emphasize the importance of risk management, security governance, and regulatory compliance, the demand for qualified GRC professionals is rising. The new program by WiCyS is designed to fill this gap by offering participants experiential learning grounded in industry-recognized frameworks.

The GRC Intensive Training Program is led by Mea Clift, the founder and chief instructor who has extensive experience in complex risk management and compliance initiatives. Through a carefully structured cohort model, participants will delve into critical GRC concepts and practical skills, something that has previously been challenging to acquire without direct, on-the-job experience.

The curriculum covers essential topics such as core GRC principles, NIST risk management, policy formulation, implementation of controls, and supporting methodologies. Mead states that understanding the intricate interplay of technology, processes, and business functions is vital in the cybersecurity landscape, where professionals must identify organizational strengths and weaknesses.

"Cybersecurity has so many facets that impact all areas of a business's operations. Knowing how to explain risk is essential for success in this field," Clift emphasizes. She believes that GRC provides crucial visibility, allowing security professionals to articulate risks, propose mitigation strategies, and present evidence-based insights into an organization's evolving maturity. The program aims to offer participants a gateway into a multitude of opportunities in cybersecurity, making it one of the most enlightening educational paths in the field.

Clift shared her excitement about witnessing students transform from having a basic understanding of GRC to confidently presenting their security postures by the end of the training. This growth not only boosts their knowledge but also their confidence, fueling enthusiasm for the future of cybersecurity.

Lynn Dohm, the Executive Director of WiCyS, affirms the organization’s commitment to broadening access to impactful professional development opportunities that facilitate career advancement and leadership pathways specifically for women in cybersecurity. The GRC Intensive Training Program stands out as a significant initiative in this mission, targeting individuals eager to build on their governance, risk, and compliance skills through collaborative and hands-on learning.

"By blending structured education with peer collaboration and industry feedback, we aim to equip participants with the confidence and practical understanding necessary to thrive in GRC roles," says Dohm. The inaugural cohort's applications will open on January 7, 2026, and close on January 26, 2026, with the program conducted from February 23 through June 25, 2026.

To discover more about the WiCyS GRC Intensive Training Program, visit WiCyS website or reach out via email at [email protected]. This is an exclusive opportunity for individuals committed to enhancing their expertise in cybersecurity.

About Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS): Founded in 2013, WiCyS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement and retention of women in cybersecurity, offering various training, resources, and events for its community. The organization partners with leading industry players, including Akamai Technologies, Google, and Microsoft, to amplify support for women in this critical field.