Scotland cyber event aims to boost women in security

Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland has announced the return of its See It Be It conference, aimed at encouraging more women to consider careers in cyber security.

The conference will be held in Edinburgh with support from Royal Bank of Scotland and Fortinet. It will bring together female high school pupils, university and college students, educators, cyber professionals and technology industry leaders for panel discussions, practical activities and mentoring sessions.

The event is part of the Centre’s wider See It Be It programme, which focuses on improving visibility, access and support for women interested in entering the sector. It comes as the UK cyber security market continues to expand while female representation remains low.

According to the latest UK Government Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis, the number of cyber security firms active in the UK increased by 20% over the last year. Separate government figures show women account for 17.5% of cyber roles in the UK.

Those figures have sharpened attention on the industry’s recruitment pipeline, particularly as employers seek to widen the range of backgrounds entering technical and non-technical roles. One of the main barriers, according to the Centre, is a limited understanding among young women of what work in cyber security can involve.

Jude McCorry addressed that concern in comments accompanying the announcement.

“Across Scotland, there is no shortage of talented young women interested in cyber security, but many still struggle to see a clear pathway into the industry, in part because of the narrow view they have of what a career in cyber security looks like.

“The reality is that the sector offers a huge variety of roles, from technical and analytical positions to careers in communications, policy, education, law and project management. See It Be It is designed to challenge those misconceptions, create real opportunities for connection, and show young people that a future in cyber security is both achievable and rewarding.

“The impact of this is far-reaching. A more diverse cyber workforce strengthens the sector by bringing different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. At a time when the cyber security landscape is more challenging than ever, that diversity is desperately needed to achieve successful outcomes. By making cyber security careers more visible and accessible, we can help Scotland close the cyber gender gap and shore up its defences,” said Jude McCorry, Chief Executive Officer, Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland.

Growing programme

The conference follows a year of related activity under the same banner. The programme has engaged more than 20 schools and over 200 schoolgirls across Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Perth and Stirling.

Previous sessions included the Cyber Ladies Afternoon Tea, held with Check Point and Accenture, where pupils met cyber professionals and industry leaders to discuss barriers facing women in the field. The programme also added an online webinar format to connect students and role models from across Scotland.

One student who attended the afternoon tea described the effect of hearing directly from women already working in the sector.

“Listening to the stories of women who have made an impact in cyber has shown me that the industry is full of incredible opportunities. There are so many paths I can take, and I now feel more confident about pursuing a career in cyber,” said one student attendee.

Supporters of the conference say direct contact with employers and practitioners matters because cyber security is often presented too narrowly in schools and careers advice. Organisers want the event to show that the sector includes jobs in analysis, communications, policy, education, law and project management, as well as technical positions.

For Royal Bank of Scotland, the issue is especially relevant to financial services, where cyber security has become a central operational concern. Judith Cruickshank, Scotland Board Chair at the bank, linked the event to the need for clearer routes into the profession.

“Cyber security is absolutely vital to a wide range of sectors, not least financial services. Yet for many young people it can be difficult to understand what career opportunities there are, and this is especially true for women, who are underrepresented in cyber security roles.

“That is why Royal Bank of Scotland is proud to support this year’s See It Be It conference. Events like these are essential in showcasing pathways into cyber security and inspiring talented young women to pursue a career in a diverse and evolving specialism that is only going to grow in importance to our entire economy in the years ahead,” said Judith Cruickshank.

Fortinet also backed the initiative as employers across the industry compete for staff. Representation remains uneven even as demand for cyber professionals rises internationally.

“As global demand for cybersecurity professionals grows, representation remains uneven. At Fortinet, we believe that building a stronger, more diverse cyber workforce starts with making the industry more visible, accessible and inclusive for the next generation. We are partnering with several organisations and initiatives, such as See It Be It, to help break down barriers and create opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups to thrive in cybersecurity,” said Richard Woolfrey, Regional Director UK and Ireland, Fortinet.

The latest conference announcement adds to a broader effort in Scotland to widen participation in digital and cyber careers at school and college level. More than 200 schoolgirls have already taken part in See It Be It activities across the country.