Sorene Assefa Member of the GFCE Strategic Steering Committee

Sorene Assefa is a leading cybersecurity expert and strategist dedicated to building a secure, inclusive, and equitable digital world. In her role as Cybersecurity and Digital Governance Expert at UNECA, she spearheads initiatives to strengthen Africa’s cyber resilience and promote sustainable digital governance. With a proven track record, Sorene has played a pivotal role in shaping internet governance policies, advocating for DPI Safeguard frameworks, and leading technical and capacity-building efforts in cybersecurity and cybercrime, ensuring African perspectives are prominent in shaping global digital governance. 

As the Founder and Managing Director of Cyber Czar, Sorene is at the forefront of fostering a robust cybersecurity culture in South Africa. She also founded the Pan-African Youth Ambassadors for Internet Governance (PAYAIG) Initiative, which empowers 1,000 African youth annually in the field of digital governance. A passionate advocate for women in cybersecurity, Sorene is a founding board member of the Network of African Women in Cybersecurity (NAWC) and actively drives initiatives in cyber diplomacy, cybersecurity capacity building, and digital governance in Africa. 

Sorene’s leadership experience includes her previous role as an advisory board member of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE). She holds an MSc in Computer Science and is certified in CISSP and CISM, among other credentials. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition as one of Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans, an Inspiring Fifty South Africa honoree, and a recipient of the EU Cyber Diplomacy Fellowship in 2024.