Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025: Get Involved and Stay Secure
October is recognised globally as Cyber Security Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how we can all stay safe online and protect our organisations…
Scotland to close cyber skills gap with See It, Be It Conference
Women make up just 17.5 per cent of the UK’s cyber security workforce, with only 264 female students in Scotland taking a National Progression Award in Cyber Security in 2022/23, compared with 1,521 male students. At the same time, more than half of UK businesses report a cyber security skills gap, a shortfall the industry can ill afford.
In response to this, the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland has announced the launch of the first national See It, Be It: Women and Girls in Cyber Conference, taking place on Friday 7 November 2025 at NatWest Gogarburn, Edinburgh.
Supported by Accenture, Fortinet and NatWest, the event will bring together up to 200 pupils, teachers, cyber professionals and industry leaders for a day of talks, workshops and networking, designed to inspire more young women to pursue careers in cyber security.
By making female role models more visible and giving students hands-on opportunities – including a live cyber table-top exercise, a visit to NatWest’s Security Operations Centre, and a careers networking hub – the event aims to show girls across Scotland that cyber security is a career for them.
As part of the launch, Scottish high schools are invited to enter a competition for the chance to secure 10 student places at the conference, with £200 travel bursaries available to support attendance. To take part, pupils should submit a response of 200 words or less by email to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Friday 10 October 2025. Winners will be announced during the week commencing 20 October 2025.
Jude McCorry, CEO of the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland, said: “We’ve seen encouraging progress in STEM and wider technology, where the gender balance is improving and women are much more visible. But cyber security is still lagging behind and, at a time when both global companies and small businesses are being targeted around the clock, we simply cannot afford to leave half the talent pool untapped.
“We need to act now to make cyber a career where women not only enter, but thrive and we hope that See It, Be It will become part of this change.”
To apply for a place to attend See It, Be It, email the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland at [email protected].
Related articles
See It, Be It – School Competition Launched
Following the success of our See It, Be It – Cyber Ladies Afternoon Tea, we are excited to launch a new competition for schools. We’re…
Careers in Cyber Security – Tips for Landing Your First Role (Or Your Next One)
Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing industries, with opportunities across every sector and at every level. But it’s also a competitive space, and whether…