Page 60 - the SyI Quarterly V3 digital (1)

Cyber Updates

‘Women in Cyber’ Event Hosted

by our Cyber-Convergence

Special Interest Group

On March 9th, Accenture hosted our Cyber-Convergence Special
Interest Group (CCSIG) for our ‘Women in Cyber’ event in
celebration of International Women’s Day.

The event is focused on celebrating diversity and inclusion in the
security profession and in particular the Cyber pillar. The speakers
explored various topics and projects on Cyber that will enhance
the industry from a diversity perspective.

Our CCSIG Chair and Security Institute Director, Mahbubal
Islam CSyP FSyI, led the day’s proceedings and helped handpick
the lineup of expert speakers. Our Chairman Professor Alison
Wakefield PhD CSyP FSyI was the first speaker of the day, outlining
the need for greater diversity within the security industry and the
ways in which the Security Institute is helping support efforts that
champion diversity.

This was followed by Dr Victoria Baines, who gave a rousing talk exploring her perspective on women in the Cyber Security sector.
She started her talk with real-life examples of explanations she had heard from business leaders for their lack of diversity within
the sector, getting the entire audience involved with the discussion.

A speaker from the Senior National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) then took the stage, and highlighted the measures that had been
taken within the civil service to create a more inclusive work environment.

Paul Barnard CSyP MSyI, the Security Institute’s Director responsible for our Next Generation in Security Initiative, rounded off
the first part of morning’s proceedings chairing a panel discussion on ‘Developing Inclusive Cyber Workforce’. Panellists included:
James Gosnold: Independent Security Consultant and CISO at Cyber Trooper, Rekha Babber: Managing Director at Templar Cyber
Academy and Astana Davar: Security Consultant. The panel created a lively discussion amongst attendees, debating changes that
can be made by recruiters and offering advice for those wanting to enter the sector.

60