CyAN Mentorship: A Global Journey in Motion
The September 2025 cohort of the CyAN Mentorship Program is in full motion, bringing together mentors and mentees from across the globe. From Sydney to Spain, from Bahrain to Budapest, from India to Morocco, and from the United Arab Emirates to the United States, this program shows that distance is no barrier when trust, guidance, and shared purpose are at the heart of the conversation.
As we checked in with the participants, a vibrant picture of progress began to emerge.
In one partnership, mentor and mentee agreed to meet every week. They are working on a project around data, privacy, security, and artificial intelligence, with the idea of publishing an article as the outcome. Their aim is to create a pragmatic way to help clients navigate overlapping regulations such as the Data Act, GDPR, and the AI Act. They also plan to keep space open for soft skills and personal development, making the journey both technical and human.
Another pairing has chosen to meet every Sunday. The mentor described it simply: “We started having a weekly call on Sundays – it’s been smooth so far.” The regular rhythm is helping the relationship progress naturally.
For some, the first steps have been about career direction. One mentee shared that they are currently focused on enhancing their LinkedIn presence and exploring different cybersecurity roles. They added: “Even though my mentor is currently on holiday, she continues to provide outstanding support and guidance. Her dedication has been exceptional.”
Others are finding value in structure. One mentee explained that after their first session, they agreed with their mentor on fortnightly catch-ups and discussed expectations and meeting formats. They added: “For our upcoming catch-ups, I’ve suggested a few specific topics to guide the discussion so I can make the most of my time with my mentor. These include risk management and GRC tools currently being used. Any materials, GRC templates, risk assessments, or case studies CyAN could share would be very appreciated.”
Confidence building and networking have also become key themes. A mentee reflected: “I really enjoy my conversations with my mentor. He is very supportive, sparks my interest, and offers me a different perspective. We also discussed how I can start networking and that I have nothing to lose by reaching out to people. I have been working on this, and so far I have received positive responses.”
Study and mentorship are blending together in another partnership. One mentee confirmed: “I am currently studying ISO 27001 alongside the readings my mentor kindly shared.” Their mentor added that they had explored academic options between cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and governance, risk, and compliance, and shared reading materials to help guide the choice.
For some, the first steps have been about career direction. One mentee explained: “My mentor and I have already held our first meeting and established a timeline for the mentorship program to ensure I receive the support I need. We are currently in the initial phase, which focuses on enhancing my LinkedIn presence and exploring various cybersecurity roles that align with my interests. Even though my mentor is currently on holiday, she continues to provide outstanding support and guidance. Her dedication has been exceptional, and I’m very satisfied with how the mentorship program is progressing. At this stage, I don’t see any gaps that need to be addressed by CyAN.”
Momentum is also strong elsewhere. One mentee noted: “We already had our first meeting, which went well. My mentor gave me a few tasks to work on in the meantime, and we have scheduled our next session. No support needed from CyAN at this stage, but I’ll reach out if anything comes up.”
What makes this cohort unique is not only the quality of the conversations but also the diversity of its participants. Mentees represent Australia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Morocco, India, and Hungary. Mentors bring their perspectives from Australia, Switzerland, France, Spain, Bahrain, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
Across the program, the same message is echoed. Mentors are giving generously of their time and knowledge. Mentees are approaching the program with energy, curiosity, and commitment. From Australia to Switzerland, from France to Spain, from Bahrain to the United Arab Emirates, and from India to the United States, these partnerships are proving that mentorship is both global and personal.