See It Be It 2026 Conference Announced to Inspire the Next Generation of Women in Cyber - Cyber and Fraud Centre

The Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, alongside its strategic partners Royal Bank of Scotland and Fortinet, has announced the return of its See It Be It conference, taking place on 2 October 2026 at the Royal Bank of Scotland Edinburgh offices.

The free event will bring together female high school pupils, university and college students, educators, cyber professionals and tech industry leaders for a day of inspiring panel discussions with diverse role models from across the sector, hands-on activities that show the reality of cyber roles and small-group mentoring sessions.

The conference forms part of the Centre’s wider See It Be It programme, which aims to tackle the cyber sector’s ongoing gender imbalance by improving visibility, access and support for women considering careers in cyber security. According to the UK Government’s latest Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis, the number of cyber security firms active within the UK has increased by 20% over the last year. And yet despite this boom, women currently make up just 17.5% of cyber roles in the UK.

Jude McCorry, CEO of Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, said:

“Across Scotland, there is no shortage of talented young women interested in cyber security, but many still struggle to see a clear pathway into the industry – in part because of the narrow view they have of what a career in cyber security looks like.
“The reality is that the sector offers a huge variety of roles, from technical and analytical positions to careers in communications, policy, education, law and project management. See It Be It is designed to challenge those misconceptions, creating real opportunities for connection, and showing young people that a future in cyber security is both achievable and rewarding.
“The impact of this is far-reaching. A more diverse cyber workforce strengthens the sector by bringing different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. At a time when the cyber security landscape is more challenging than ever, that diversity is desperately needed to achieve successful outcomes. By making cyber security careers more visible and accessible, we can help Scotland close the cyber gender gap and shore up its defences.”

Judith Cruickshank, Scotland Board Chair Royal Bank of Scotland, said

“Cyber security is absolutely vital to a wide range of sectors, not least financial services. Yet for many young people it can be difficult to understand what career opportunities there are and this is especially true for women who are underrepresented in cyber security roles.
“That is why the Royal Bank of Scotland is proud to support this year’s See It Be It conference. Events like these are essential in showcasing pathways into cyber security and inspiring talented young women to pursue a career in a diverse and evolving specialism, that is only going to grow importance to our entire economy in the years ahead.”

Richard Woolfrey, Regional Director UK and Ireland of Fortinet, said:

“As global demand for cybersecurity professionals grows, representation remains uneven. At Fortinet, we believe that building a stronger, more diverse cyber workforce starts with making the industry more visible, accessible, and inclusive for the next generation. We are partnering with several organisations and initiatives, such as See It Be It, to help break down barriers and create opportunities for women and other underrepresented groups to thrive in cybersecurity.”

The October conference builds on a successful series of See It Be It activities held throughout the past twelve months, which engaged more than 20 schools and over 200 schoolgirls from across Scotland, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Perth and Stirling.

Previous events included the Cyber Ladies Afternoon Tea, delivered alongside Check Point and Accenture, which brought together cyber professionals, industry leaders and school pupils to discuss barriers facing women in cyber.

Summing up her experience of the afternoon tea, one student attendee said: “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.”

The programme also expanded online through the See It Be It Webinar, which enabled students and role models from across Scotland to connect virtually, explore pathways into cyber security and discuss the opportunities available within the sector.

Beyond October’s conference, Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland plans to expand the See It Be It community over the coming year by organising further school visits and industry open days, promoting internships and entry-level jobs and participating in cyber competitions, alongside a range of other activities designed to support young women at every stage of their cyber journey.

Schools, educators and students can find further information and registration details here. The Centre is also running a competition for Scottish high schools, giving winning schools the chance to bring up to 10 female pupils along to the conference, with travel bursaries available where required.

Companies and professionals interested in speaking, exhibiting in the careers hub or delivering an interactive activity are invited to register via the website or email [email protected].

29.06.26