Technology Giant IBM supports a plan to diversify the UK’s cybersector and encourage young people to pursue cyber careers.
The UK’s plan to promote the cybersector is to protect online services by the government, which brings economic growth, at the heart of its plan for change.
IBM agrees to partner with the Science, Innovation and Technology Division (DSIT) and the National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) to provide an online platform for the Cyber First Girls Competition.
“If we keep the UK safe from the threats we face online, we need to build a diverse workforce that reflects all communities across the country,” explained Cybersecurity Minister Feljar Clark.
“By partnering with IBM to provide the next edition of the Cyberfirst Girls Competition, we are planning to do just that.
Promoting diversity in the UK’s cyber industry
The Cyber First Girls Competition, currently run by NCSC, is a flagship cybersecurity program for UK schools, and has been participating in over 85,000 students nationwide since its launch in 2017.
From encryption and networking to artificial intelligence, we encourage students to guide a range of cyber challenges, improve their skills and consider future careers in the field.
To support the next generation of UK cyber talent, IBM will provide a platform for the 2025 edition of the contest.
Improving UK cybersector diversity is an important priority for the government, with women currently making up only 17% of the cyber workforce. While the sector’s average salary is above £56,000, the top 20% of earners receive £73,000 to £350,000 in salary, almost half (44%) of UK companies report that they also have a cybersecurity skills gap.
This means it’s more pressing than ever to ensure that the next generation of cybersecurity leaders are in the ranks.
“We’re committed to providing a great opportunity to help you,” said Chris Ensor, NCSC deputy director at Cyber Growth.
“We need a cyber industry that reflects a diverse society and encourages the most talented individuals to keep their digital lives safe.”
International competition in cyberskills
Today’s partnerships are directing their skills to testing with Ireland, Germany and Denmark, some of the best and brightest cyberminds of the country preparing to represent the UK cyber team in the first international competition.
The UK CyberTeam Programme is an esports-style cybersecurity competition launched in collaboration with SANS, seeking to identify the next generation of cyber talent. Competitors have had children ages 30 to 18-25 from across the country to represent the UK cyber team and have experienced a tough set of challenges to showcase their skills.
These competitors are drawn from all over the country on behalf of their hometown communities in London, Southwest, Wales, Scotland, North England, West Midlands and Southwest.
With 37% of the teams identified as female, 57% male, and 3% non-binary, cyber teams in the UK are a true representation of communities and backgrounds across the country.
“This new collaboration is a critical step towards nurturing the next generation of cyberleaders and ensuring a more inclusive and robust industry,” concluded Mark Hughes, IBM Global Managing Partner of Cybersecurity.
“We believe this partnership will have a major impact on encouraging more young girls to pursue a rewarding career in cybersecurity.”
The movement to increase cyberskills is part of the government’s broader work to grow the economy and develop a successful UK cybersecurity sector, now worth £13.2 billion, up 12% the previous year.
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