According to the UK government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021, the proportion of women working in cybersecurity in the UK has increased to 31% in 2021, up from 25% in 2020. This increase is an indication of the progress that has been made towards achieving gender diversity in cybersecurity, but there is still much work to be done.
The WiCyS organisation is dedicated to encouraging and supporting women in cybersecurity. They offer a range of programs, including conferences and mentoring to help women build their skills and advance their careers in cybersecurity. In the UK, there are also several organisations dedicated to promoting gender diversity in cybersecurity, such as the Cyber Security Challenge UK and Empowering You UK.
The Cyber Security Challenge UK aims to inspire and encourage young people, including women, to consider a career in cybersecurity. They offer a range of activities, including competitions and training events, to help young people develop their skills and knowledge in cybersecurity.
Empowering You UK are delivering a unique, cross-sector, leadership program for women in cyber security and resilience, delivered by Empowering You in association with techUK and the Government Security Group in Cabinet Office. The aim is to build a collaborative and powerful community of women leaders in Cyber Security across the UK
There are also several initiatives aimed specifically at encouraging women to enter cybersecurity careers. For example, the UK government's CyberFirst Girls competition aims to inspire and encourage girls aged 12 to 13 to consider a career in cybersecurity. The competition is open to all girls in the UK, and participants are given the opportunity to develop their cybersecurity skills and knowledge.
While the number of women in cybersecurity in the UK is increasing, there is still a long way to go to achieve true gender diversity in the industry. Initiatives such as those offered by WiCyS, and Cyber Security Challenge UK are essential in promoting gender diversity and supporting women in their cybersecurity careers. It is crucial that we continue to encourage women to enter the field, provide them with the necessary support and resources, and create a more diverse and inclusive cybersecurity industry for everyone.
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