Working alongside IBM, the UK government is strengthening its efforts to diversify and support the nation’s cybersecurity workforce
As the cyber sector continues to grow and is now valued at £13 billion, the importance of tackling the ongoing challenges of skill gaps and gender equality within the industry has become clear.
Gender imbalance in cybersecurity
IBM’s efforts to support initiatives encouraging young people, particularly girls, to pursue cybersecurity careers is a crucial part of these initiatives.
One of the main initiatives receiving IBM’s support is the CyberFirst Girls competition, organised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
This UK-wide program encourages girls between 12 and 13 to develop essential cybersecurity and computing skills. It involves a series of fun and engaging challenges, including cryptography, networking, and artificial intelligence, to help participants build confidence and practical expertise in the digital world.
Since its launch in 2017, the competition has seen over 85,000 students from across the UK participate, showing its growing influence and success. In 2025, IBM will provide the digital platform for this event, ensuring the program continues expanding and attracting more young female talent to cybersecurity.
The next generation of cyber leaders
The gender disparity in the cybersecurity workforce is still a big concern, with women currently making up only 17% of the sector.
This concerns the rapid expansion of the cyber industry, which is struggling to fill many job vacancies.
Many UK businesses report that nearly half of their cybersecurity positions remain unfilled due to insufficient qualified candidates. By supporting programs like CyberFirst Girls, IBM and the UK government hope to address these issues head-on, creating a more diverse workforce and addressing the pressing need for skilled professionals.
The timing of this initiative is particularly significant because it coincides with the UK Cyber Team’s preparations for international competition.
The team, consisting of young cybersecurity experts aged 18-25, represents some of the brightest minds from across the country. The team’s diversity is important, with 37% of members being female, 57% male, and 3% non-binary.
Their participation in global competitions, such as those against teams from Ireland, Germany, and Denmark, is a testament to the high level of talent emerging from the UK’s cybersecurity community. These competitions also serve as a platform to further nurture the next generation of leaders in cybersecurity, providing invaluable experience and exposure to real-world challenges.
The future of cybersecurity
These initiatives also ensure the UK has a resilient, future-proof cybersecurity workforce. With cyber threats constantly evolving, the demand for skilled professionals has never been higher.
The UK invests in its digital future by making cybersecurity an attractive career path for young people, especially underrepresented groups such as women.
Encouraging young girls to explore cybersecurity through competitions like CyberFirst Girls empowers them and addresses a critical skills shortage in the industry.
The collaboration between IBM, the NCSC, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) shows a big step forward in tackling the gender imbalance and the skills gap in cybersecurity.
IBM’s ongoing commitment to fostering diversity in the sector through its “Diversity & Inclusion in Cybersecurity” initiative shows its role in shaping a more inclusive and robust cybersecurity landscape. This partnership is expected to make a meaningful impact, attracting more young girls to cybersecurity careers and ensuring that the UK remains competitive in the global cybersecurity arena.
