MIWIC26: Dr Catherine Knibbs, Founder and CEO of Children and Tech

Key Takeaways

• Focus on cyber trauma and child online safety
• Advocates integrating child protection into mainstream cybersecurity
• Highlights need for diverse, empathetic perspectives in cyber field
• Uses trauma lens to ask impact on victims
• Inspires women through leadership and advocacy

Summary

Dr. Catherine Knibbs, founder and CEO of Children and Tech, was named one of the 2026 Top 20 women in cyber by the Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards. Her work bridges cyber‑trauma, child protection, privacy and data security, creating frameworks that treat online harms as both technical and emotional issues. Knibbs emphasizes a trauma‑focused lens, asking not just whether a system was breached but how the breach affects the individual, especially children. She also champions diversity, using her platform to mentor women and push the industry toward more humane cybersecurity practices.

Pulse Analysis

The Most Inspiring Women in Cyber Awards, now in its 2026 edition, spotlighted Dr. Catherine Knibbs as a leading voice at the intersection of cybersecurity and child welfare. Knibbs, who founded Children and Tech after a military career, coined the term "cyber trauma" to describe the hidden emotional damage children endure online. By framing digital threats as psychological injuries, she pushes the industry to expand its risk models beyond data loss, urging policymakers and tech firms to embed child‑centric safeguards into their security architectures.

Knibbs' advocacy addresses a critical gap: traditional cybersecurity tools protect enterprises but often overlook the nuanced experiences of young users. She argues that a trauma‑informed approach requires asking, "What happened to the person on the other side of the breach?" This perspective is reshaping product design, prompting developers to incorporate age‑appropriate warnings, real‑time content filters, and clear reporting pathways. As regulators worldwide tighten online‑harms legislation, companies that adopt these human‑focused safeguards can mitigate legal exposure while building trust with families—a competitive advantage in a market increasingly sensitive to privacy and safety concerns.

Beyond technical solutions, Knibbs leverages her platform to champion gender diversity in the cyber sector. By mentoring emerging female talent and highlighting the value of interdisciplinary expertise, she demonstrates how varied viewpoints drive innovation in threat detection and response. Her presence among 200 nominees underscores a broader industry acknowledgment: diverse, empathetic leadership is essential for tackling complex, evolving cyber challenges. As organizations grapple with the next wave of digital risk, the blend of trauma awareness and inclusive culture championed by leaders like Knibbs will likely become a cornerstone of resilient cybersecurity strategies.