New initiative aims to encourage women into cyber security

A new cyber security training scheme has been launched aimed at addressing the shortage of women in the industry.

Currently, women make up a fifth of the industry’s workforce, but the Women in Cyber initiative hopes to encourage more females to consider a career in cyber security.

The 12-week training programme - sponsored by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and organised by Protection Group International (PGI) - converts candidates into entry-level cyber security professionals, with employment guaranteed before training starts.

Candidates do not necessarily need previous experience or qualifications, only aptitude, says PGI managing director Brian Lord.

“There are jobs where deep technical expertise is required, but there are many more that are either non-technical or require a basic entry level technical knowledge that can be taught,” he comments.

Research suggests that more than a third of organisations are unable to fill open security jobs, even though 82 per cent expect to be attacked this year.

“The industry is killing itself by creating artificial barriers to entry for 50 per cent of the working population,” adds Mr Lord.

Visit www.pgitl.com/training/women-in-cyber for more details about the Women In Cyber programme.