The European Cyber Security Organisation’s (ECSO) very own Head of Sector for Skills and Human Factors, Nina Olesen, has been nominated by the Belgian Cyber Security Coalition as a finalist for the Belgian Cyber Security Awards 2023 within the category “Cyber Security Personality of the Year”. Aimed to reward and honour Belgium-based cybersecurity professionals who significantly enhance the country’s cybersecurity posture, this category is perfectly suited to acknowledge and celebrate the important, practical contributions that Olesen makes in her everyday work. The final ceremony will take place on 6 December, where a dedicated jury will select a winner.
On 16 October 2023, the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO) received the thrilling news that its very own Nina Olesen, Head of Sector for Skills and Human Factors, was selected as a finalist in Belgium’s Cyber Security Awards 2023 under the “Cyber Security Personality of the Year” category. Organised by the Belgian Cyber Security Coalition, this award specifically celebrates cybersecurity professionals driving cybersecurity in at least one of the following domains: cyber resilience, awareness, inclusion or ecosystem contribution.
“I’m deeply honoured to have made the shortlist for Belgium’s Cyber Security Personality of the Year Award and to be in the company of such esteemed colleagues. Having worked on skills and diversity in cyber for several years now, both for ECSO and Women4Cyber, it is with great pride that I can bring visibility to the achievements of our organisation and foundation in this domain. Diversity and inclusion are essential to boosting the workforce as I’m convinced that diverse teams are more efficient and that we need everyone on board, working together, to face the challenges ahead. I look forward to continuing to contribute to this endeavour for many years to come and I want to thank the Cyber Security Coalition and jury for this nomination and incredible recognition.”
Nina Olesen, Head of Sector for Skills and Human Factors at ECSO and COO at the Women4Cyber Foundation
Olesen’s impact on the field of European cybersecurity is indisputable. As a Head of Sector at ECSO and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at ECSO’s sister foundation Women4Cyber, her everyday work contributes to the improvement of European cybersecurity on many different levels. She is involved, among others, in the following areas:
- Gender inclusion
- Cyber ranges, training, operational competences
- Skills and HR
- Awareness, cyber hygiene, human factors
- Cybersecurity education for children and young people
Nina Olesen has over a decade of experience in the European cybersecurity landscape. She has been deeply involved in many diverse projects, making her contributions to the field unique. What sets Olesen’s work apart from many others in the field is its practical approach, which makes a real difference in European cybersecurity. Whether it is addressing skills and diversity gaps or raising public awareness on cybersecurity in Europe, Nina’s dedicated efforts to help strengthen the European cybersecurity community and enhance Europe’s cyber resilience as a whole, deserves recognition.
The final ceremony, a Gala dinner, will be held on 6 December 2023 in Tervuren, where the winners of each award category will be unveiled and officially rewarded. ECSO is deeply proud of Olesen’s accomplishments and the accolades she is receiving for her exceptional work, wishing her the best of luck in the competition and celebrating the roads she paves with her daily work in ECSO and Women4Cyber.
