Dr Shaheela Banu Abdul Majeed has built a career combining technical cybersecurity expertise, governance and compliance with a sustained commitment to mentoring and developing the next generation of security professionals.
Working as an Information Security & Compliance Officer and Auditor within Kuwait’s oil and gas sector, she brings more than 15 years of experience across vulnerability and patch management, malware analysis, penetration testing, information security management and auditing. Her career has also included work across banking, insurance, healthcare and education in Kuwait and India, giving her experience of cyber risk across environments with very different operational and regulatory requirements.
She holds a Doctorate in Cybersecurity alongside professional credentials covering ethical hacking, information security leadership, auditing, networking and Cisco security technologies.
Combining cybersecurity leadership with practical expertise
Dr Shaheela’s professional work encompasses both operational security and governance. She has led penetration testing activities and ISMS audits for healthcare and educational organisations, while her current work places her within an industry where the convergence of IT, operational technology and critical infrastructure creates particularly demanding cyber-risk requirements.
Alongside her day-to-day responsibilities, she has established a growing profile as a speaker and panellist across cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data protection and digital transformation events in the Middle East and internationally.
Her contribution has received substantial recognition. She was named Cyber Woman of the Year in Kuwait in 2024 and subsequently received the She Leads
Women in Tech Award at CYSEC Global Kuwait 2025. Further recognition has included a World CIO 200 Award and inclusion among recognised IT and cybersecurity leaders in the Middle East.
Creating opportunities for other women
A significant part of Dr Shaheela’s wider contribution is focused on mentorship. She co-manages the Cyber Heals Ibby Cyber Security Mentorship programme and co-founded Ibby Cyber Women Warriors, supporting women entering and progressing within cybersecurity.
With more than a decade of experience as a mentor and trainer, she has used her technical knowledge to support professional development while also promoting greater female representation within a field where women remain underrepresented.
Her awareness work extends internationally, with cybersecurity education and advocacy undertaken across India, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States. This combines technical education with a broader message that cyber resilience depends on people understanding their individual role in protecting organisations and communities.
Dr Shaheela’s career therefore combines operational cybersecurity, professional development and industry advocacy. Her continued work to mentor women, share technical knowledge and strengthen cyber awareness demonstrates an impact extending considerably beyond her own professional responsibilities.
