2.72 million professionals needed in the Cyber Security industry!

Leeds Digital Festival event host, InnovateHer, discusses the importance and benefits of building a diverse workforce within the Cyber Security industry.

Yep, you read that correctly! According to The 2021 Cyber Security Workforce Study from (ISC)2, they suggested the number of additional professionals organisations need to defend their critical assets adequately stands at 2.72 million people.

But the sector needs to be more diverse. Currently, 36% of the workforce are women (according to this report by KPMG and NCSC), 10% are people who identify as LGBTQ+ and 15% are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Why do we need a Diverse Cyber workforce?

  • We will become more resilient – A diverse workforce brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, which means solving problems will become easier, and solutions will be stronger. 
  • We will become more productive – It is proven that diverse teams are more productive. Why would we not want safer, more efficient cyber processes protecting our businesses? 
  • Teams will be happier – Diverse teams often create a lively, more inclusive and happier work environment where everyone can feel safe in their jobs.

Why are we passionate about Cyber?

Cyber is one of InnovateHer’s key priority areas this year. We have partnered with BAE Systems and Expleo to identify the skills gaps we need to fulfil, work with employees as role models, and fund schools to have our activities. If we want to create a cyber-resilient workforce, we must prioritise building a diverse talent pipeline and showcase roles within this sector to our next generation to fulfil the inevitable vast skills gap that exists and will continue to widen into the future.

We believe that this sector is one that can bring so much opportunity to the next generation, but we need to give schools access to this content and support students early so that they have a greater chance of picking options that would align with having a career in this industry.

Want to know more on why it is imperative to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in this field, then please join our event! You can sign up here.

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