Derfoufi Ibtissam

Ibtissam Derfoufi (1975), Deputy Head of the IT department at Interface3, embodies the concept of lifelong learning as a tool for social mobility. Her career is dedicated to opening the doors of the IT sector to women who, like herself, may have started their journey via non-traditional paths.

Her journey into IT began indeed unexpectedly. While preparing to pursue science studies in Liège after secondary school, she came across a backend development training course offered by the non-profit organization Interface3 in Brussels. It was a turning point—she discovered a passion for code and the limitless possibilities of technology. At Interface3, she now leads training programs. She has been instrumental in modernizing the curriculum, recently launching specific tracks for Data Analysts and Cybersecurity Pentesters. Her commitment to technical excellence was reinforced in 2025 when she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity with the highest distinction, a qualification she earned while working full-time.

Ibtissam Derfoufi is a talented and dynamic IT professional—an analyst-programmer by training and now also a certified cybersecurity specialist. What sets her apart is not only her technical expertise but also her drive to empower other women through knowledge-sharing and mentorship.

Her impact is measured by the hundreds of women Interface3 trains annually, helping them achieve economic independence through technology. Derfoufi combines technical expertise in network administration and cybersecurity with a pedagogical mission to support digitally excluded communities. As stated in her nomination dossier, she challenges the structural barriers that keep women out of tech ‘not due to a lack of talent or ambition, but because of limited access, representation, and confidence’.