On March 19, the first day of the International Women’s Cybersecurity School began — a two-day intensive that brought together experts, government and business representatives, and participants interested in practical protection of their digital lives. The event was organized by the NGO “Women’s Business School” and Business Woman Club with the support of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration and the “Eastern Europe” Foundation. Business Woman magazine acted as the media partner.
Importantly, Kyiv region became the first in Ukraine to implement such training at this level, uniting representatives of territorial communities, business, the public sector, and international organizations. This intersectoral format aims to raise awareness of cyber threats and develop practical digital security skills across various spheres of life.
The opening set a clear tone — cybersecurity is no longer a niche topic but a basic skill for everyone. Participants were greeted by Hanna Krysiuk, President of Business Woman Club and founder of the international glossy Business Woman, and Serhiy Lukin, Director of the Kyiv Region’s Regional Training Center. Deputy Head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration Nataliia Havatiuk also joined, emphasizing the importance of improving digital literacy amid modern challenges and constant cyber threats.
The first module focused on practical cybersecurity in everyday life — without complex terms but with maximum applied value. Dmytro Tytula, a security expert with over 16 years of experience, practicing psychologist, and head of social projects, covered protecting social media accounts, highlighting basic but critically important aspects: two-factor authentication, access control, and personal data management. His presentation combined technical knowledge with psychological understanding of user behavior — since the human factor is often the weak link.
No less relevant was the topic of financial security. Tetiana Sikorska, head of payment systems automation at Oschadbank, shared typical scenarios of banking fraud that are becoming increasingly sophisticated today. School participants learned how to recognize phishing attacks, protect banking data, and safely use online services.
Special emphasis was placed on the safety of online shopping. Ivan Kopichenko, regional coordinator of the EGAP Program in Odesa region (International Charitable Foundation “Eastern Europe”), revealed risks faced by users of marketplaces and classifieds services — from fake sellers to personal data leaks. His presentation became a kind of “checklist” for those who interact with digital platforms daily.
In the second half of the day, attention turned to technical protection. Dmytro Savchuk, web developer at Unity and web designer at STALL studio, discussed securing home networks and personal gadgets, explaining how even basic settings can significantly reduce hacking risks. Dmytro Kavun, cybersecurity specialist with 18 years of experience in finance and president of Dignitas Ukraine, addressed broader issues — cyber threats in the age of artificial intelligence. The discussion covered not only new opportunities but also risks that AI opens for malicious actors.
A practical and resonant block was dedicated to crypto wallet fraud. Anastasia and Oleksandr Petrove, IT specialists and AI experts, shared real cases, explaining how cryptocurrency scams work and how not to become their victim. This topic sparked lively discussion among participants, as digital assets are increasingly entering everyday life.
The first day of the school demonstrated: cybersecurity is not about fear, but about awareness and skills. Most importantly — these skills can be accessible to everyone ready to learn and adapt to the new digital reality.
The second day of the intensive promises even more practice, cases, and tools for safe life in the online environment.
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Photo: Business Woman