In recent years, the tech industry has made significant strides toward gender diversity, but there is still much work to be done, especially in cyber security. The representation of women in cyber roles is gradually increasing, yet the gender gap remains evident. This blog post explores the current landscape, highlights inspiring events, and emphasises the North West Cyber Security Cluster’s (NWCSC) commitment to supporting women in the cyber security and tech sectors.
The Current Landscape of Women in Cyber
Despite efforts to close the gender gap, women remain underrepresented in cyber security. According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market 2023 report, women constitute just 17% of the cyber security workforce. This marks a concerning 5% decrease from the 22% reported in the previous year. In comparison, women made up 16% of the workforce in the 2021 report and 15% in the 2020 report. Despite previous years showing a slow but steady increase, this recent decline highlights the urgent need for renewed efforts to attract and retain women in the cyber security field.
There are many organisations making efforts to address this and support women in the industry. Events that bring together professionals, advocates, and allies play a crucial role in fostering a more inclusive environment and providing women with the resources and networks they need to thrive.
On Monday, 20th May, we had the privilege of attending the inaugural ABC Women event at DiSH Manchester, “Balancing Act: Ethical Dilemmas in IoT and AI”. This event marked a significant milestone, offering an afternoon of networking, inspiration, and empowerment for women in cyber and tech.
Heather Lowrie from the University of Manchester delivered an insightful talk titled “Ethics in the Internet of Things. Building Resilience: Strategic Response to and Recovery from Cyber Attack at the University of Manchester”, underscoring the importance of resilience in our increasingly connected world.
Keeley Crockett from The Manchester Metropolitan University followed with her enlightening presentation, “Empowering People: Illuminating the Impact of Public Engagement in the Age of Ethical Artificial Intelligence”, highlighting how empowering people can lead to more responsible and inclusive technological advancements.
The ABC Women event provided a fantastic networking opportunity, surrounded by inspiring and empowering women, and set a high standard for future events in the sector.
A big thank you for the invitation, and congratulations to Alsa Tibbit, Tooska Dargahi, Tara Rodgers and Dorsa Samavi for hosting such a wonderful event.
Digital Her: Championing Inclusion
On Thursday, 23rd May, we attended the Digital Her event, “Lift as you climb: How you can be a real champion for inclusion”, held at DTX by Manchester Digital. This event featured a panel discussion with industry leaders, including Ruby Foster (xDesign), Tripti Anil (Kellanova), Hilary Stephenson (Nexer Digital) and Sophie Brown (Flowlio).
The panel discussed strategies for empowering women in tech, focusing on actionable steps that individuals and organisations can take to support diverse women to thrive in their careers. The event also included lightning talks highlighting remarkable allies and advocates who showcased their impactful initiatives and practical ways to make a difference.
The Digital Her event was a testament to the power of community and the importance of championing inclusion within the tech industry. Thank you to Manchester Digital for organising such a fantastic event and providing a platform for these important and meaningful conversations.
“If she can see it, she can be it”.
We also attended the Women in Business and Tech Expo on Tuesday, 4th June, held in Manchester. This event offered a wealth of insightful talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, bringing together women from various sectors to share knowledge and experiences.
The expo underscored the importance of providing platforms where women can connect, learn, and grow. The discussions highlighted the need for continuous support and mentorship to ensure that women not only enter the tech field but also advance and lead.
NWCSC’s Commitment to Supporting Women in Cyber
At NWCSC, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where women in cyber security can thrive. Over the next 12 months, we are excited to announce a series of ‘Women in Cyber’ events across the North West. These events will provide opportunities for learning, networking and professional development, aiming to support women at all stages of their cyber security careers.
We are actively seeking ideas, suggestions, speakers, and sponsors to help shape these events. Your input and participation are crucial in making these initiatives successful. Together, we can create a supportive community that encourages more women to join and excel in the cyber security sector.
If you have ideas or suggestions for our upcoming ‘Women in Cyber’ events, or if you are interested in speaking or sponsoring, please get in touch with us. Your contributions can help make a significant impact on the future of women in cyber security.
Let’s work together to make the North West a hub of innovation, resilience, and inclusivity in the cyber world. By supporting and empowering women in tech, we can build a stronger, more diverse, and more secure digital landscape.
contactus@nwcsc.org.uk
