As Women4Cyber UK prepares to launch its new chapter during London Tech Week, Women4Cyber Luxembourg’s President Patricia Souza sat down with its newly appointed President, Sabika Ishaq, to discuss her journey, her continued connection to Luxembourg, and her vision for strengthening collaboration between cybersecurity ecosystems across Europe.
Having previously led Women4Cyber Luxembourg and contributed significantly to the visibility of Luxembourg’s cybersecurity community at both national and European levels, Sabika now embarks on a new chapter while maintaining strong ties to the Luxembourg ecosystem.
Sabika, first of all, congratulations on this exciting new chapter. After leading Women4Cyber Luxembourg for more than three years and significantly raising Luxembourg’s visibility within the European cybersecurity ecosystem, how does it feel to now begin this new venture as President of Women4Cyber UK?
Thank you, Patricia. It is genuinely exciting, but also emotional in many ways. Luxembourg has been such an important part of my journey. Over the last three years in Women4Cyber Luxembourg and nearly a decade in the cybersecurity in Luxembourg itself has became much more than an initiative for me it became a community, a platform for collaboration, and a way to create visibility for women in cyber, both nationally and across Europe. Together, we have brought Luxembourg into important European conversations, created meaningful partnerships, hosted impactful discussions, and built momentum around diversity, leadership, and cyber resilience.
Taking on Women4Cyber UK feels like a natural next step, but I do so carrying the experience, relationships, and lessons from Luxembourg with me. I am incredibly grateful for what we built together and now feel ready to give back in a different way.
Many people in Luxembourg may wonder does this mean goodbye to Luxembourg?
Absolutely not! If anything, I see this as strengthening the connection.
Luxembourg will always remain close to me, and I fully intend to stay actively engaged with the ecosystem here through panel discussions, conferences, mentoring, and collaborative initiatives. The relationships built over the years are incredibly meaningful, and I believe there is a huge opportunity to create stronger bridges between Luxembourg and the UK.
Cybersecurity thrives on collaboration, and both ecosystems have so much to learn from one another whether that is innovation, regulation, leadership, emerging technologies, or talent development. My intention is very much to remain in touch and continue contributing to Luxembourg while helping create opportunities for cross-border exchange.
You’ve already started building that bridge in a very concrete way. Tell us about the launch of Women4Cyber UK.
Yes, and I think it beautifully symbolises the spirit of collaboration we want to create.
The Women4Cyber UK chapter is being launched on the very first day of London Tech Week at the Embassy of Luxembourg in London which feels incredibly meaningful and symbolic for me personally. The event will bring together representatives from both the public and private sectors across the UK and Luxembourg, reflecting our shared commitment to innovation, cybersecurity, and inclusion. We are also inviting technology and cybersecurity firms particularly women-led organisations and leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and expand their networks across borders. The goal is not simply to host a launch event, but to begin creating a sustainable platform for collaboration: a place where relationships can form, partnerships can grow, ideas can travel, and talent can be amplified.
For me, it is important that the launch itself already demonstrates what Women4Cyber UK stands for openness, international collaboration, diversity, and practical ecosystem-building.
That sounds like a powerful statement of intent. Would you say this is the beginning of a larger partnership between the two ecosystems?
Very much so this is only the beginning. I see enormous potential for Women4Cyber Luxembourg and Women4Cyber UK to collaborate more closely and act as a bridge between ecosystems. Whether through joint panels, conferences, mentoring initiatives, innovation exchanges, leadership forums, or supporting women-led cyber and technology businesses, there is so much we can do together.
Luxembourg has taught me the value of building strong communities and trusted relationships. The UK ecosystem brings scale, diversity of expertise, and global connectivity. Bringing those strengths together creates something incredibly powerful.
I truly believe collaboration is where real impact happens.
What opportunities do you see for women working in cybersecurity through stronger collaboration between Women4Cyber UK and Women4Cyber Luxembourg?
I believe there are tremendous opportunities through mentoring, professional development, cross-border networking, speaking engagements, and leadership programmes. Bringing together expertise from both ecosystems can help create new pathways for women at every stage of their cybersecurity careers.
Finally, what message would you like to leave for the Luxembourg community that has supported you throughout this journey?
Simply thank you. Thank you for the trust, the collaboration, the energy, and the shared belief that we could create something meaningful together. Every event, every discussion, every partnership, and every person who supported Women4Cyber Luxembourg has contributed to this journey. I do not see this as leaving Luxembourg — I see it as expanding the circle.
I take the experience, friendships, and lessons with me, and I hope to give back even more through stronger connections between Luxembourg and the UK. This next chapter is not about moving away — it is about building bridges and growing together.
Sabika, before we close, you have worked closely with so many people across the cybersecurity community over the last few years. Is there anyone you would like to acknowledge as you begin this new chapter?
Absolutely — and this is probably the most important thing for me to say. None of this journey was ever achieved alone. I feel incredibly grateful to have been surrounded by such a supportive, inspiring, and collaborative ecosystem.
First, I want to sincerely thank my industry peers and the CISO community in Luxembourg and across Europe. Cybersecurity can often feel like a demanding and complex space, but what has always stood out to me is the openness, generosity, and willingness to collaborate. So many leaders have shared knowledge, supported initiatives, joined discussions, challenged thinking, and helped create a stronger community together. I have learned enormously from them.
I also want to thank my fantastic team — the people behind the scenes who brought energy, passion, creativity, and commitment to everything we did at Women4Cyber Luxembourg. Every event, initiative, partnership, workshop, panel, and success was truly a collective effort. Their belief in our mission made all the difference.
And of course, to the wider Luxembourg ecosystem thank you. Luxembourg may be small in size, but it is incredibly strong in ambition, collaboration, and innovation. What makes it special is the closeness of the community, the willingness of people to support one another, and the openness between public institutions, private sector leaders, academia, startups, and civil society.
I feel incredibly proud to have contributed to this ecosystem and even prouder to continue being connected to it. The relationships and friendships built here will stay with me, and I hope this next chapter allows me to give back even more by strengthening connections between Luxembourg, the UK, and the wider European cybersecurity community.
Women4Cyber Luxembourg congratulates Sabika Ishaq on her appointment as President of Women4Cyber UK and looks forward to future collaborations between both chapters. As cybersecurity challenges continue to evolve, international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and inclusive leadership remain essential to building a stronger and more resilient digital future. We wish the Women4Cyber UK team every success as they begin this exciting new chapter.
