Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland Breaks Barriers for Young Women in Cyber Security

12.03.25

General

Women make up just 17.5% of cyber roles in the UK, with recent reports revealing that the gender pay gap in cyber security is widening rather than closing. Despite growing demand for cyber professionals, there remains a lack of clear and accessible pathways for young women to pursue and sustain careers in the field.

To highlight these challenges and drive real change, the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland joined forces with cyber industry peers and thought leaders at a Cyber Ladies Afternoon Tea. The event discussions focused on the fragmented journey many young women face – from school to university and beyond – and how industry leaders can create meaningful pathways into cyber careers.

CEO Jude McCorry led a panel of experts from education and industry to reflect on progress made so far, the barriers that remain, and what must be done to bridge the gaps for the next generation of female cyber professionals.

Why change is needed now

The issue isn’t just about getting more women interested in cyber security – it’s about keeping them in the field. In 2022/ 23 just 264 female students in Scotland took a National Progression Award (NPA) in Cyber Security, compared to 1,521 males. Where are these young women going next? Many face a disjointed path with limited mentorship, careers guidance, and industry connections to help them navigate from education to employment.

By bringing together Scottish high school students, university students, teachers and industry professionals, the event focused on creating clearer, more structured pathways that give young women the confidence, connections and skills to thrive in cyber security.

The event featured two panel discussions:

Building a strong future for women in cyber security

Kaukab Stewart MSP also emphasised the importance of community and support – “Trailblazers need to break down barriers, be brave and bold, but they also need supportive and encouraging friends and family, and networks to help them succeed.”

Students at the event also added:

“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.”

“Would I recommend taking part in the CyberFirst competition? Yes! Try it out. What’s the worst that can happen? You could win!”

CEO Jude McCorry closed the event with a powerful message – “There are many fantastic female cyber groups and school programmes across Scotland, but they remain fragmented. We need to bring these initiatives together to create a clear, recognised pathway into cyber security for young women – from school to university and into the workplace. Mentorship, work experience, and visible female role models will be key to making this happen.”

Turning conversation into action

The event was more than just a discussion – it was a catalyst for change. The Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland is calling on industry leaders, teachers and policy makers to take practical steps towards:

For Scotland to close the cyber gender gap, we need to stop losing talented young women along the way. It’s time to fix the broken pathways and ensure more women not only enter cyber security, but also stay and thrive in the field.