Influencing the influencer to help young women and girls into cyber security training and careers

Women are severely underrepresented in the cyber sector. Only a few years ago, women made up 22% of the sector, with 2024 DSIT figures showing this has decreased to only 17%. The picture for women undertaking cyber security degrees is even worse, with only 12% of course cohorts in the UK being female.

At CyberNorth, we believe the answer to improving these statistics starts young.

Our project looks at the important role influencers (parents, teachers and careers advisors) play in supporting young women and girls into their chosen careers. We believe, due to our experience speaking to North East parents, careers advisors and teachers, that there is a lack of understanding around the careers available to young women and girls in the cyber sector. Therefore without this knowledge, they cannot positively influence young girls to take up training or learning in this space.

Our project therefore focuses on this - equipping the influencers of young women and girls with the information to be able to help these young people consider cyber security training and careers as an option for them.

Through this project we will identify and engage with 100 people in this group of influencers, provide sign posting resources to help them support their young women and girls, and create a number of events to help them further their knowledge and connections in the sector.

In turn we envisage that this will increase awareness of the breadth of careers available to young women and girls, give influencers access to information to support their young people, and put them in touch with other women in the North East's cyber community who can be role models for younger people coming through and support them with questions.

This innovative project would be the first of its kind in the North East. If successful, the future impact of this project will then be that more women and girls consider training in cyber and move into cyber roles. This pilot project will be a catalyst for CyberNorth to develop this relationship with influencers and create some content. It also has the potential to be expanded across the UK to help develop a response to cyber career advocacy for young women and girls.