In issue’s 5 cover story, fintechview highlights Georgia Solomou, Founder and President of Women4Cyber Cyprus and Managing Partner at OSPHERA. Georgia’s remarkable career in IT, security, and cybersecurity is one that deserves to be shared. Driven by her passion for the industry, she led the creation of Women4Cyber Cyprus, aligning with the broader Women4Cyber initiative under the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO). Witnessing the growing momentum and community across Europe, Georgia recognized the need for Cyprus to be part of this movement—empowering women in the evolving field of cybersecurity.
Through her leadership at Women4Cyber Cyprus, Georgia is a passionate advocate for diversity in cybersecurity, working to empower and connect the next generation of women professionals in the field. Read the story in our digital magazine and below.
How did your career journey start in the world of cybersecurity?
My journey into the world of cybersecurity began around five years ago when we founded OSPHERA, a company focused on fraud management solutions. I co-founded it with my husband, Christoforos Christofi, who has over of 30 years experience in the security industry as the Group CEO, ChannelIT. His deep knowledge and passion for cybersecurity had a strong influence on me, and together we saw the need for innovative, strategic solutions in this space.
Although I had already spent nearly two decades in the IT industry, this new chapter allowed me to combine my background with a fresh focus on cyber risk, resilience, and digital trust.
That’s how OSPHERA—and my career in cybersecurity—was born. Soon after, the opportunity to form Women4Cyber Cyprus came up—an incredibly proud and defining moment in my journey. I now serve as President of this initiative, which was born from a clear vision: to connect, support, and uplift women professionals in the field of cybersecurity. Today, I have the privilege of leading a dynamic team of talented and driven women who are not only making their mark but actively reshaping the narrative. Together, we are proving that excellence in cybersecurity knows no gender, and that inclusion and diversity are key to a stronger, more resilient digital future.
Can you share the inspiration behind Women4Cyber and how the initiative in Cyprus began?
In Cyprus, there were few opportunities and little visibility for women in cybersecurity. This initiative was born out of a desire to change that reality—to create a space where wome could not only enter the field but thrive in it. Women4Cyber Cyprus is about empowerment, education, and collaboration, and it’s just the beginning. The idea was also inspired by the broader Women4Cyber initiative under the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO). Seeing the momentum and community forming across Europe, I knew Cyprus needed to be part of that conversation.
Is there anything exciting coming up—new features, launches, or partnerships, that you can share with us?
We recently announced our Strategic Partnership with HackShield – Future Cyber Heroes to empower the next generation in cybersecurity. HackShield is an innovative educational cybersecurity platform aimed at strengthening the skills of young digital citizens. This partnership marks a significant milestone in raising awareness about cybersecurity and enhancing the digital resilience of youth in Cyprus.
Through this partnership, Women4Cyber Cyprus and HackShield is joining forces to educate and engage children, parents, and educators on the importance of cybersecurity. By integrating HackShield’s interactive, gamified learning experiences with Women4Cyber Cyprus’ mission-driven initiatives, the collaboration aims to equip the younger generation with essential cybersecurity skills, helping them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Why is it critical to bring more women into cybersecurity, and how does diversity enhance cyber resilience?
Bringing more women into cybersecurity is not just about fairness—it’s about building a smarter, stronger, and more resilient digital future. Cybersecurity is a field that thrives on diverse ways of thinking. Cyber threats are complex and constantly evolving, and to outpace them, we need teams that can approach problems from multiple perspectives. Women bring unique experiences, problem-solving styles, and leadership approaches that are essential in understanding the human element of cybersecurity—whether it’s in social engineering, user behavior, policy development, or risk analysis. Diversity leads to better decision-making, more innovative solutions, and a broader understanding of vulnerabilities.
Yet, women remain underrepresented in the field. Changing that requires action: inclusive hiring, visible role models, targeted education and mentorship programs, and initiatives like Women4Cyber, which empower women to lead, contribute, and thrive. Ultimately, cyber resilience is not just a technical challenge—it’s a human one. And the more diverse our defenders are, the stronger and more prepared we’ll be.
How do you see the cybersecurity threat landscape evolving, and what should governments and organizations be most concerned about in 2025 and beyond?
The cybersecurity threat landscape is becoming more aggressive, complex, and interconnected. As we move into 2025 and beyond, threats are no longer limited to isolated attacks on systems—they are becoming geopolitical weapons, disruptors of national infrastructure, and tools for disinformation and social manipulation. Governments and organizations must shift from a reactive approach to a proactive,
resilience-focused mindset. This includes: Investing in cyber talent pipelines, strengthening public-private partnerships, embedding cybersecurity in digital transformation strategies., prioritizing cyber hygiene and education at every level of society.
In Cyprus and across Europe, Women4Cyber is building networks of skilled professionals who are ready to protect digital societies—not just technically, but ethically and inclusively. Resilience comes from diversity, and the future of cybersecurity must be built by
everyone, for everyone.
What are the most urgent priorities for national and organizational cybersecurity strategies today?
Proactive, coordinated action across sectors is key to staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats. Today, cybersecurity is more important than ever, and there are a few key areas that need urgent attention. We must focus on protecting critical infrastructure like energy, healthcare, and transportation, while also making sure our supply chains are secure from cyber threats. Training more cybersecurity professionals is essential to keep up with growing demand. At the same time, we need better tools for detecting and responding to threats quickly. Educating the public on safe online habits also plays a big role. Finally, cybersecurity should be a core part of any digital project, helping build trust and safety into the future of technology.
Women4Cyber Cyprus is playing an active and vital role in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by focusing on education, empowerment, and visibility. Through a variety of initiatives, W4C Cyprus will be promoting cybersecurity awareness and digital safety among young people, including partnerships like the one with HackShield, which uses gamification to teach children how to navigate online threats. Also, offering mentorship and networking opportunities that connect aspiring
professionals—especially women and girls—with experienced leaders in the field. Organizing training sessions, and public events that make cybersecurity more accessible and engaging, helping to close the skills gap in Cyprus. In collaboration also with schools, universities, and government bodies to integrate cybersecurity education and promote STEM careers early on. By creating an inclusive and supportive environment, Women4Cyber Cyprus is not only helping individuals launch careers in cybersecurity but also ensuring the field becomes more diverse, resilient, and innovative for the future.
What role should governments and industry leaders play in supporting grassroots initiatives like Women4Cyber?
Governments and industry leaders have a crucial role to play in supporting grassroots initiatives like Women4Cyber, as these efforts are key to building a more inclusive, skilled, and cyber-resilient society. First, they should offer institutional and financial support—through funding, partnerships, and access to resources—to help such initiatives scale their impact. Second, they must create policy frameworks that prioritize diversity i cybersecurity and actively promote the participation of women and underrepresented groups. Industry leaders can contribute by providing mentorship, training opportunities, and real-world exposure through internships, speaking engagements, or collaboration on educational programs. Supporting Women4Cyber is not just about equity—it’s a strategic investment in talent, innovation, and stronger cyber defense for all.
Globally, only a small percentage (24%) of the cybersecurity workforce are women, while
in the European Union, the figure stands at 20%.
If you could change one thing about the global cybersecurity ecosystem today, what would it be—and why?
If I could change one thing about the global cybersecurity ecosystem today, it would be to make it more inclusive and accessible to diverse talent—especially women and young people. Despite the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, the field still suffers from a narrow talent pipeline and a lack of representation. In 2024, approximately 56% of organizations in the EU reported that none of their cybersecurity employees were women. The country with the highest number of women working in cybersecurity was Croatia, where 57% of companies employed at least one woman in a cybersecurity role. Globally, only a small percentage (24%) of the cybersecurity workforce are women, while in the European Union, the figure stands at 20%. In Cyprus, the percentage is
unfortunately even lower—barely 15%.
What traits do you believe are essential for leaders in the fintech space today?
I believe leaders in the fintech space today need to be agile, visionary, and tech-aware, but also deeply committed to trust, inclusion, and resilience. Fintech is about more than innovation—it’s about building secure, user-focused solutions in a fast-moving, highly regulated environment. Strong leaders know how to balance technology with empathy, and compliance with creativity. Most importantly, they understand that diverse teams build stronger, smarter systems.
What advice would you give to young professionals or startups entering the fintech industry?
My advice to young professionals and startups entering the fintech industry is to be bold, stay curious, and never stop learning. This is a fast-moving space that demands both innovation and responsibility. Focus on solving real-world problems and make cybersecurity a priority from the very beginning—trust is the foundation of any fintech solution. Also, don’t underestimate the power of collaboration. No one builds success alone, and partnerships across sectors can open doors and strengthen your growth. Most importantly, embrace diversity. As we constantly promote through Women4Cyber Cyprus, diverse teams—especially those that include women—are not just fairer, they are more effective, more creative, and ultimately more successful. The future of fintech belongs to those who combine vision with values.
Who is who
Georgia Solomou Managing Partner at OSPHERA and President & Founder of Women4Cyber Cyprus. With over 20 years of experience in technology and security across the EMEA region she has led successful business expansion in North & East African countries and continues to grow OSPHERA’s presence in the Middle East region. With strong business acumen Georgia works closely with governments, financial institutions, and enterprises to identify gaps in their fraud prevention strategies and deliver customized security solutions. Her consultancy expertise spans Total Fraud Protection,
Threat Landscape Assessment, Email Security, Authentication, Transaction Analysis,
and Endpoint Protection.
