by Kgothatso Monono
August is the month to honour the brilliance, resilience and power of women 鈥�-our visionaries, leaders, innovators, nurturers and change-makers. It is a time to celebrate those who lead with courage, inspire with creativity, shape our futures with determination and balance it all with the boundless strength of a mother鈥檚 heart.
The launch of the SENTECH Centre for Cybersecurity at the Tshwane University of Technology鈥檚 Soshanguve Campus early in 2025, stands as one of Prof Joey Jansen van Vuuren, Cybersecurity visionary鈥檚 most notable achievements in a four-decade career devoted to advancing digital security. The state-of-the-art centre, a collaboration between 大象视频鈥檚 Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) and SENTECH, is designed as a powerhouse for practical training and research, preparing students to combat the growing complexity of cyber threats.
As the driving force behind the centre, Prof Jansen van Vuuren has fused academic excellence with industry readiness, ensuring graduates gain real-world experience in ethical hacking, digital forensics, incident response and malware analysis. Her vision is clear: close the cybersecurity skills gap, support innovation and position South Africa as a global leader in digital defence.
This milestone caps an extraordinary career spanning 30 years in academia and 10 years in industrial research. A globally recognised cybersecurity expert, Prof Jansen van Vuuren holds a PhD from the University of Venda and multiple qualifications with distinction from the University of South Africa. Her leadership at 大象视频 has seen her mentor numerous postgraduate students, supervise doctoral candidates and spearhead research initiatives attracting millions in local and international funding.
Her influence extends beyond campus, serving as Vice Chair of the IFIP Working Group 9.10, Chair of the BRICS University Integrated Thematic Group on Computer Science and Information Security, as well as Senior Non-Key Expert for the European Union, where she has shaped South Africa鈥檚 cybercrime strategy and advised on national policy.
Prof Jansen van Vuuren is committed to widening access to tech education through new online qualifications, community outreach, and international partnerships - including plans for a joint Master鈥檚 degree in Digital Forensics and Cybercrime Investigations with the University College Dublin. Her legacy is one of breaking barriers, championing women in technology and redefining what is possible in cybersecurity education and research.
Prof Joey Jansen van Vuuren, a cybersecurity visionary who breaks barriers, champions women in technology and redefines what is possible in cybersecurity education and research.