ESET Canada names three women cybersecurity scholars

ESET Canada has named the winners of its 2026 Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship, selecting three recipients from across Canada.

The winners are Arthure Gélinas of Montréal, Sulaksa Jeevakumar of Ottawa and Tsidkenu Tomori of North York. They were chosen through a selection process that assessed academic performance, achievements and commitment to the cybersecurity field.

The scholarship programme began in North America in 2016 and expanded to Canada in 2021. Since then, ESET Canada has awarded more than $50,000 to 14 women through the initiative, which started as a single CAD $5,000 scholarship and has grown to CAD $15,000 across three awards.

The announcement comes as employers and universities continue to focus on widening the cybersecurity talent pipeline, a sector where women remain underrepresented. ESET Canada positioned the scholarships as part of that effort.

Bob Bonneau, Country Manager at ESET Canada, said the three recipients stood out for their technical ability and leadership.

"Canada's cybersecurity industry continues to grow, and developing the next generation of skilled, diverse talent is essential to its future," Bonneau said.

"Arthure, Sulaksa and Tsidkenu have each demonstrated an impressive combination of skill, leadership and a genuine desire to make a difference. We are proud to support them in their journey and look forward to seeing the impact they will have on the cybersecurity industry in Canada," he added.

Student profiles

Gélinas is studying Computer Science and Software Engineering at the Université du Québec à Montréal. ESET Canada said she developed an interest in cybersecurity through capture-the-flag competitions and has completed internships at Calcul Québec, Flare and Desjardins, where she worked on threat investigations, network security and security operations.

She has also worked on mentorship initiatives aimed at encouraging more women to build technical skills and consider careers in cybersecurity.

"Cybersecurity concerns the protection of human communities just as much as computer systems. What motivates me most is the opportunity to actively contribute to protecting society through technology," Gélinas said.

Jeevakumar is studying Computer Science at Carleton University. Her interest in the sector was shaped in part by helping victims of online scams while working as a Geek Squad Technical Agent.

She now researches explainable artificial intelligence and disinformation, while also serving as a peer mentor, leading beginner cybersecurity teams and taking part in outreach designed to introduce girls to cybersecurity through STEM programmes.

"Cybersecurity is not only about preventing harm. It is about creating environments where people feel safe to explore, learn and participate," Jeevakumar said.

Tomori is pursuing an Honours Specialization in Computer Science with a Minor in Software Engineering at Western University. Her interest in cybersecurity is linked to philosophy and digital ethics, and she aims to focus on cyber ethics and policy in her career.

She currently serves as Co-President of Western University's Women+ in Technology Society, after previously holding the roles of Vice President of Marketing and Podcast Director. ESET Canada said her leadership has centred on building a more inclusive technology community.

"I believe strengthening inclusivity comes from bringing together people with a wide range of experiences and perspectives," Tomori said.

Programme growth

ESET described the Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship as one of the earlier initiatives of its kind in the sector. In Canada, the programme has broadened its reach since launch, expanding from one award in its first year to three scholarships for students in different regions.

This year's recipients represent the Greater Toronto Area, Montréal and Ottawa. Their studies also reflect the breadth of pathways into the field, spanning software engineering, artificial intelligence, digital ethics and cybersecurity operations.

Many previous recipients have gone on to careers in cybersecurity and technology. In Canada, the latest round brings the total number of scholarship recipients under the programme to 14.

ESET is a cybersecurity company with operations in 178 countries and says it works with individual users, organisations and critical infrastructure operators. It says it has more than 35 years of experience in cybersecurity and more than 25 years of work in artificial intelligence.

For the three students recognised this year, the scholarship provides external support at a time when demand for cybersecurity skills continues to rise across the Canadian economy.