Muscat – An Omani cybersecurity academic has reached the final stage of the Cybersecurity Woman of the Year 2026 Award, putting the sultanate in contention for one of the industry’s most prominent global honours.

Dr Shaima Juma Mubarak Al Hashmi, a cybersecurity lecturer at the Muscat branch of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, was named a finalist in the Fintech category of the award, organised by the International Cybersecurity Alliance.

She is one of three finalists in the category, competing alongside Jennifer Rayford of the United States and Boryana Kolinska of Bulgaria. The trio were selected by a panel of 14 judges drawn from nine countries, following an evaluation process assessed on social impact, innovation, and professional and academic contributions to the cybersecurity sector.

Shaima brings more than a decade of experience to her field, with a track record spanning education, scientific research, community awareness, and national capacity building in cybersecurity.

“Reaching the final stage of this global award represents recognition of the efforts made in serving the cybersecurity sector,” she said, adding that it underscores “the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in building a safer and more sustainable digital environment”.

The winner will be announced at the award’s closing ceremony in July, with official events including a reception in Vaduz, capital of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The nomination reflects a broader trend of Omani professionals gaining ground in specialised international forums, particularly in the fast-growing cybersecurity sector, where demand for skilled practitioners continues to accelerate across the region and beyond.