PUMPING MUSIC HERALDS A DAY OF CYBER SLEUTHING AND CODE-CRACKING FOR 1,000 YEAR 8 GIRLS

The music was pumping as more than 1,000 girls did an impromptu Mexican wave around the hall before they began a day experiencing what a career in cyber security could mean – and that it's a lot more interesting and exciting than they might have thought.

The Year 8 girls from 25 schools across the South West met specialists from GCHQ and other private and public companies operating in the cyber sector and experienced virtual reality, practical problem solving, programming drones and code-breaking in an effort to "hack" away at male domination in the cybersecurity industry.

The careers event was worlds away from the usual such event in a local school or town hall – where representatives from businesses turn up dutifully in front of pop-up stands and hand out brochures showing smiley apprentices in random office and factory settings.

Here there was loud, thumping music (even a little dancing), face glitter and a Mexican wave to inspire and excite the pupils from across the region.

The event, called EmPowerCyber, had been organised by CyNam (Cyber Cheltenham), which has grown from a small networking group for people working in cyber security in 2015 to become a powerful voice and support organisation made up of hundreds of members from what has become the largest concentration of cyber technology businesses in the country,

CyNam is chaired by the inspirational and indefatigable Madeline Howard, who led the organisation of the entire event with her small but dedicated team.

She said: "We wanted the girls to leave the day with great memories. Everyone remembers a great school trip.

"We had a real mixture of activities. From cryptography to coding, flying drones and programming robots. The police chatted to the girls about how to make the right cyber choices. It's not just about getting the girls to think about a career in cyber security, but offering advice on personal protection.

"We ran a similar event in 2019 and as a result the number of girls wanting to study computer science at GCSE rose. More girls also joined cyber clubs at their schools.

"After this event we will work with the schools and businesses that have supported it to continue the engagement and excitement that we saw on the day."

Women currently account for just 11 per cent of the global cyber workforce, and just eight per cent in the UK.

This isn’t surprising when it’s often portrayed as being for boys who love computer coding. Flip the idea on its head and what a career in cyber security really means is keeping people safe – which often resonates much more with girls as they look to build their careers.

EmPowerCyber aims to shift the hearts and minds of a generation of potential female recruits and change current perceptions of cyber.

Emma Williams, Assistant Principal Academic at Wyedean School in Gloucestershire, said: “We were delighted to be able to offer our students the chance to be part of the EmPowerCyber event as it challenged cyber career stereotypes and inspired the next generation of young women to consider careers in STEM or cybersecurity.

“Our students experienced interactive, enriching and empowering workshops led by key industries and academia, learning first-hand the critical skills that are needed for the future.

“Industry role models inspire our young women to think bigger as, after all, seeing is believing.”

The South West is home to one of the largest concentrations of cyber companies in the UK. The £1 billion Golden Valley Development in Cheltenham, which is due to be completed by 2025, will include a new National Cyber Innovation Centre aimng to attract start-ups, scale-ups and cyber tech giants.