Technology giant IBM has backed plans to diversify the UK cyber sector and encourage young people to pursue cyber careers.
Plans to uphaul the UK cyber sector come as the government safeguards online services that deliver economic growth, which is central to the Plan for Change.
IBM has agreed to partner with the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to provide the online platform for the CyberFirst Girls competition – a UK-wide programme open to girls between the ages of 12 and 13.
“If we’re going to keep the UK safe from the threats we face online, then we need to build a diverse workforce which is reflective of every community in the country,” explained Minister for Cyber Security Feryal Clark.
“By partnering with IBM to deliver the next edition of the CyberFirst Girls Competition, we’re driving forward our plans to do exactly that – building up the skills of young girls across the country and nurturing the next generation of UK cyber leaders.”
Encouraging diversity in the UK cyber industry
The CyberFirst Girls Competition, currently run by the NCSC, is the UK’s flagship cybersecurity programme for schools, with more than 85,000 students across the country having taken part since its launch in 2017.
It puts students through a series of cyber challenges, from cryptography and networking to artificial intelligence, building up their skills and encouraging them to consider future careers in the field.
To support the next generation of UK cyber talent, IBM will provide the platform for the 2025 edition of the competition.
Improving the diversity of the UK cyber sector is a key priority for the government, with women currently accounting for just 17% of our cyber workforce. Though average salaries in the sector exceed £56,000 – with the top 20% of earners receiving salaries between £73,000 and £350,000 – almost half of UK businesses (44%) also report having cybersecurity skills gaps.
This means it’s more pressing than ever to ensure the next generation of cybersecurity leaders are joining the ranks.
Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, said: “Over the past decade, the CyberFirst Girls Competition has offered tens of thousands of young women a fun opportunity to test their cyber skills against real-world cyber problems.
“We need a cyber industry which reflects our diverse society and encourages the most talented individuals to keep our digital lives secure.”
International competition in cyber skills
Today’s partnership comes as some of the country’s best and brightest cyber minds prepare to represent the UK Cyber Team in their first international competition – putting their skills to the test against Ireland, Germany, and Denmark.
The UK Cyber Team programme is an e-sports-style cybersecurity competition launched in collaboration with SANS, which looks to identify the next generation of cyber talent. Competitors have gone through a rigorous set of challenges to showcase their skills, with 30 18-25-year-olds from across the country qualifying to represent the UK Cyber Team.
These competitors are drawn from across the country, representing their home communities across London, the South West, Wales, Scotland, the North of England, the West Midlands, and the South West.
With 37% of the team being female, 57% being male, and 3% identifying as non-binary, the UK Cyber Team is a true representation of communities and backgrounds up and down the country.
“This new collaboration is a significant step towards nurturing the next generation of cyber leaders, ensuring a more inclusive and robust industry,” concluded Mark Hughes, IBM Global Managing Partner for Cyber Security.
“We are confident that this partnership will make a substantial impact in encouraging more young girls to pursue rewarding careers in cybersecurity.”
The move to boost cyber skills is part of the government’s wider work to grow the economy and develop the successful UK cybersecurity sector, which is now worth £13.2 billion, up 12% on the previous year.
