KINGSTON, Jamaica — A groundbreaking initiative to bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity has yielded exceptional results, with female analysts from Jamaica’s national security apparatus claiming top honors in the inaugural ‘SheSecures’ Cybersecurity Competition. Monique Satchwell and Rheana Hagigal, Tier Two Analysts at the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (Ja-CIRT), secured first place in the overall team category, outperforming numerous contenders from across the nation.
This pioneering competition, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of National Security and Peace and the Organization of American States (OAS), was specifically designed to offer hands-on technical training and skill enhancement for Jamaican women and girls aged 16 and above. The initiative’s core mission is to empower more women to enter the rapidly expanding cybersecurity field, thereby significantly strengthening Jamaica’s national cyber resilience in an increasingly digital world.
The victory underscores a critical push for diversity in a sector where women remain significantly underrepresented. Both winners shared personal journeys that defied traditional gender expectations in technology. For Hagigal, a profound fascination with technology that began in high school crystallized into a career choice driven by the conviction that cybersecurity is the foundation of our digital future. “I knew that the future was going to be cybersecurity, because everything is now digitalised,” she explained.
Satchwell’s path was more serendipitous. Initially an actuarial science major immersed in mathematics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), a growing intrigue with computers led her to switch to computer science. It was there she discovered and became captivated by the cybersecurity domain. She emphasizes a crucial perspective often overlooked: “People often focus on technology itself, while overlooking the critical need to secure it.
The road to victory was paved with dedication and intense preparation. Both analysts recounted weeks of rigorous training, including sessions partnered with the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), supplemented by personal practice lasting several hours each night. “It was very rigorous… but it was well done,” Satchwell stated, expressing immense pride in their achievement. Hagigal echoed this sentiment, attributing their success to training, practice, and sheer perseverance.
The competition also celebrated other high achievers. A second Ja-CIRT team, comprising Zoe Duncan and Daneel Downer, secured second place, while third place was awarded to a team from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA). The event also featured school and individual categories, with top prizes awarded to students from institutions like Immaculate Conception High School, Northern Caribbean University, and the University of Technology, alongside individual winner Kelleshia Fender of MOCA.
Their triumph serves as a powerful inspiration, challenging the male-dominated status quo of the profession. Satchwell’s advice to other young women is unequivocal: “Take courage; you’re talented… talent knows no gender; don’t be afraid.” This event marks a significant stride toward a more inclusive and robust cybersecurity landscape for Jamaica.