Fewer women than ever in UK's 'old boys' club' cyber industry

A recent report highlights the ongoing gender disparity within the UK's cybersecurity industry, with just 16 percent of workers identifying as women – the lowest rate since 2021. Despite girls outperforming boys in STEM subjects at school, there are fewer women pursuing cybersecurity courses and limited representation at senior levels.

Specifically, only 6 percent of women have over six years of experience in the field, with the overall figure remaining stagnant since records began. This is concerning, as the global average for female-identifying workers stands at 48 percent, and the UK's average across all industries is 48 percent. The UK government's investigation into the issue pointed to structural barriers preventing women from reaching senior leadership positions, such as employers intentionally excluding women.

Additionally, recruiters claim women are being overlooked due to their perceived family ambitions, with one recruitment agent alleging businesses use stereotypes like "women will get pregnant and take a year off." Other obstacles include assumptions about a lack of technical skills and the perception that cybersecurity remains an "old boys' club."

Jill Broom, head of cyber resilience at techUK, emphasized the need for employers to address these stereotypes and promote cybersecurity as an accessible, inclusive career path. While representation of neurodivergent workers and ethnic minorities showed improvement, senior positions for these groups remain low. Ethnic minorities are only 9 percent of senior roles, with neurodivergent workers at 22 percent, reflecting increased awareness among employers rather than a genuine surge in numbers.

Disabled individuals are notably underrepresented, occupying just 9 percent of roles and 5 percent of senior positions. The report suggests that the UK's cyber industry must work harder to break down these barriers and ensure diverse perspectives are welcome in tackling complex cyber threats.