The UK Cyber Security Council invites you to discuss elevating women in the cyber security profession.
- Learn about emerging pathways for the new generation of talent
- Drive the conversation and steer the Council's future outreach work during workshops
- Network with your peers in the sector and make new connections
We hope this event will provide an opportunity for professionals, organisations, stakeholders, and partners to collaborate to address the barriers faced by women when looking to enter the field and offer a platform to those already paving the way for the next generation of women in cyber.
You will hear from leading women in cyber who will showcase how they have advanced their careers and you will also learn about the new emerging pathways available to the next generation of talent.
Our Event Poll
We are asking attendees at today's event to fill in our short Poll about your experience and suggestions for elevating women in cyber. This will help inform the paper we write following the event. The poll is anonymous and you can access t via the link below:
Agenda
|
Time |
Speaker |
|
9.30am-10.30am |
Registration + networking time |
|
10.30am-10.50am
|
Welcome to the UK Cyber Security Council’s Elevating Women in Cyber Symposium UK CSC Chair, sets the scene for the day and updates on Council workstreams Niaomi Collett - host Claudia Natanson (Chair, UKCSC) |
|
10.50am-11.25am
|
Pathways to Success in Cyber Hear from two senior Cyber Professionals about their pathway into cyber and the most up to date workstreams Eleanor Fairford, (NCSC, Deputy Director for Incident Management) + Dr Marsha Quallo Wright (NCSC, Deputy Director - Critical National Infrastructure) Elevating Women through Internships and Training Learn about Rolls Royce Summer Intern program in support for NCSC CyberFirst. Focussing on Women in Cyber. Colin Topping (Cyber Incident Director, Rolls Royce) + Mia Ong (Graduate Cyber Security Consultant at Atkins) + Selina Summan (Information Assurance Specialist, Rolls Royce) |
|
11.25am - 11.45am |
BREAK |
|
11.45am-12.15pm
|
Elevating Diversity We continue to delve into the fantastic work done in the sector to encourage and further women and girls of all ages in to the cyber profession Claire Vandenbroecke (Cyber Security Specialist, TSG) Kathy Lui (Digital Sovereignty Senior BD Manager, AWS) + Isabel Scavetta (Product Manager, CyberSafe) |
|
12.15pm - 1pm |
Workshop 1 - Are soft skills really soft? Why they are essential in the route to Chartership for UK Cyber Professionals Soft skills sometimes get a bad rap - we can’t even decide what to call them … are they soft, human, behavioural or people skills? Sam Burnham (Director, Learning Solutions) |
|
1pm-2pm |
LUNCH |
|
2pm-2.30pm |
Excelling in Government Cyber A conversational session focussing on journeys and challenges with a chance for a Q+A Chair - Srishti Krishnamoorthy-Cavell (Head of Strategic Projects for Cyber, Cabinet Office) Erika Lewis (Director, Cyber Security and Digital Identity, DSIT) Bella Powell, (Government Cyber Director, Cabinet Office) |
|
2.30pm-3.15pm |
Workshop 2 -NCAB Shaping the Future of the UK Cyber Security Profession NCAB and Government representatives |
|
3.15pm-3.30pm |
BREAK |
|
3.30pm-4.30pm |
Educating the Cyber Leaders of Tomorrow In the final session of the day we convene experts from across the sector and discuss pathways, programmes and advice with an opportunity for Q+A Prof. Simon Hepburn (CEO, The Council) Dwan Jones (Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, ISC2) Joanne Mavridis (Academy Director - Cyber Million, Immersive Labs) Dione LeTissier (Director, KPMG) |
Workshops
Workshop 1 - Are soft skills really soft? Why they are essential in the route to Chartership for UK Cyber Professionals
Soft skills sometimes get a bad rap - we can’t even decide what to call them … are they soft, human, behavioural or people skills?
They play a huge part in any workplace, at any level. Their impact (for good or bad) links strongly to inclusivity, ethical conduct, performance and to organisational success.
Ever more important for the fully rounded cyber professional to affect change, the higher we climb the corporate ladder, the more positive impact we can have.
In this session we will explore:
- Perceptions of ‘soft skills’ and whether or not they are ‘hard’ to develop.
- How important they are for the fully rounded cyber professional to effectively guide their organisation.
- How soft skills link to the varied objectives faced in the cyber profession.
Workshop 2 - NCAB Shaping the Future of the UK Cyber Security Profession
The following discussion topics are indicative only and are designed to explore policy issues that UK CSC may wish to discuss when publishing their reflections/next steps from the event. This workshop will explore:
- Inspiring the next generation of women in cyber: we’re often told that cyber has a branding issue. How do we tackle this for the next generation of women in cyber (including those still at school?) How should we best communicate routes into the profession?
- Starting out in cyber: which programmes are most effective at removing barriers to attract and develop women in the early stages of their careers? What do women want to see from the programs and qualifications that UK CSC will build in the future?
- Retaining expertise: What are the wider environmental and organisational factors that are required for women to excel at mid career level? How can we improve retention? And what should the council consider in developing this aspect of its career paths?
- Transition to leadership: What factors do we need to consider when supporting women to step up to leadership positions, for example at a CISO level? What are the wider environmental and organisational factors support women to excel?
- Small vs large organisations: How do different types of organisations differ in their experience of attracting and providing development opportunities for talented women? What are the similarities and differences? And how can we collaborate better into the future?
- Gender diversity in wider perspective: how should we consider intersectionality when developing policies that support women in the workplace? and what can we learn from diversity initiatives in other industries?
Speaker Biographies
Niaomi Collett (Host)
Niaomi works with the Council on Special Projects and helped to organise the 2021 International Women's day event celebrating Women In Cyber Security. Now a Business and Education Consultant, Niaomi previously worked in Widening Participation and Outreach for 15 years and held roles such as Deputy Director of Widening Participation at King's College London and Widening Participation Manager at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Dedicated to improving social mobility for ethnic minority students, Niaomi was awarded by Education charity, Excellence in Education at the House of Lords for her work developing outreach project, ‘The Black Achievement Conference.’ Currently the Director of a Residential Children's home, her interests include supporting looked after children and community based financial education outreach projects.
Claudia Natanson (Chair, UK Cyber Security Council)
Dr Claudia Natanson is a highly respected information and cyber security professional and thought leader within the international arena. She has served as board, steering committee member and programme chair for the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and is a registered European Commission security expert.
She is Founder of the Corporate Executive Programme (CEP), a body that unites senior decision-makers from leading companies and public sector organisations across the world to discuss business impacting risks, and security related issues and threats.
A recognised top technology influencer by the Financial Times, her experience and expertise cover diverse industry sectors, FTSE 100, Fortune 500, government and growing organisations.
Pathway into cyber
"My Cyber Security route started with a Master degree in Computer Science, Ph.D Computers and Education (combined postgraduate), ( nine months intense industry hands on experience and certifications for system and network security. Next started my first role in systems security within a Critical National Infrastructure organisation. This was both network, and system security but included physical security, and tall aspects of security and cyber security".
Eleanor Fairford, (NCSC, Deputy Director for Incident Management)
A generalist civil servant for the past 20 years, Eleanor has undertaken a range of policy and security roles, at home and overseas, in immigration, security policy and corporate services.
Eleanor previously led cyber threat assessment in NCSC and now heads up the Incident Management function where she is responsible for managing the NCSC’s response to nationally significant incidents that hit the UK.
Dr Marsha Quallo Wright (NCSC, Deputy Director - Critical National Infrastructure)
Marsha heads up the NCSC team that supports private sector companies, that operate the UK's most critical infrastructure delivering essential services (energy, water, transport, telecoms, finance, civil nuclear, food, space, post). The team works with industry to make the UK a safer place. We develop trusted relationships with industry and work with them to increase their cyber security and resilience to ensure essential services are available to support the public.
Marsha is a Senior Civil Servant who over the last 12 years has worked on resilience and security in a number of Government departments and has a background in scientific research.
Colin Topping (Cyber Incident Director, Rolls Royce)
Colin spent 22 years in the Royal Air Force and has worked for Airbus, HP, and DXC. He is currently globally responsible for all significant cyber incidents within Rolls-Royce and helps mature the supply chain risk management and vulnerability management programs. He also supports NCSC initiatives in securing industrial control systems. Colin created the “Women in Cyber” summer intern program that Rolls-Royce delivers in support of CyberFirst. He is also doing a part-time PhD with the University of Bristol.
Pathway into cyber:
Having been an abject failure at college, I joined the RAF and found my spark for learning and development. Realising that my skills weren’t easily transferable to civilian jobs, aged 31, I began a BSc in computers and technology with the Open University and graduated 8 years later. In the meantime, I was posted to one of the UK's first cyber security teams, an RAF team created to monitor and respond to cyber incidents on military networks. Those final 5 years of my 22-year military career put me squarely on the path to where I find myself today.
Selina Sunman (Information Assurance Specialist, Rolls Royce)
Selina Summan is a Cyber Security Professional for Civil Aerospace Rolls-Royce Plc. She manages the Rolls-Royce Electrical information assurance risk, marrying business needs with Cyber Security requirements. She has worked in public and private sector companies and strongly advocates the need to support “Women in Cyber” to enable a diverse body of knowledge. Selina has introduced and developed initiatives to promote entry into cyber careers, proactively supporting our graduates and interns.
Pathway into cyber:
I used my skills from my MSc Computer Security degree to drive cyber security in the public sector and this journey has led to my current role as an Information Assurance Specialist. I feel a great sense of pride and accountability to help initiatives to generations who would like to gain a foothold in the work of Cyber.
Mia Ong (Graduate Cyber Security Consultant at Atkins)
Mia has a diverse experience of completing a Robotic and Mechatronic Engineering degree alongside participating in the CyberFirst Scheme. This allowed her to develop a range of technical and non-technical Cyber skills which were further built on during her time at Rolls-Royce and now Atkins as a Cyber Security Consultant. Being an engineering graduate working as a cyber specialist, Mia has a strong belief in the importance of embedding cyber in processes and technology, as well as the need for universal cyber awareness and resilience.
Pathway into cyber:
My career pathway has taken quite a turn as I grew up playing the violin from around age 4, with aspiration to become a violinist. Alongside my musical interests, I had always enjoyed all things tech and the problem solving that came with learning about systems. As I went into a degree in robotics and engineering, I realised that cyber security was a key aspect in both fields, yet not always considered. So, alongside my degree, I increased my cyber knowledge and gained experience from being a part of programmes such as the “Women in Cyber Summer Internship” at Rolls-Royce, leading to me eventually landing a professional cyber role.
Claire Vandenbroecke (Security Specialist, TSG Training)
Claire is a highly motivated professional who has over 20 years’ experience in building and maintaining positive and productive customer relationships within creative media, education, and law enforcement.
Before joining TSG as their Cyber Security Specialist in July this year, Claire spent 4 years working as a Cybercrime Officer for Northumbria Police as part of the Government’s National Cyber Security Project, led by the National Police Chief’s Council in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Crime Agency. Working alongside other regional and local cybercrime teams, she developed an in-depth knowledge of cyber and information security, the associated risks, and the regulatory requirements involved, enabling her to offer local businesses advice and guidance around cyber security and how to prepare for, and recover from, a cyber-attack.
Claire has been invited to speak at several conferences over the years, including the Digital Policing Conference in May 2021 where she spoke to over 200 members of law enforcement about boosting cybercrime capabilities through Regional Special Operations Units and more recently at the Vistage International Executive Summit in Manchester where she ran a breakout session for CEOs, Directors and Board Members. Claire has completed training in CISMP, CompTIA Security+ and Cyber Essentials.
Kathy Liu (Digital Sovereignty Senior BD Manager, AWS)
Kathy Liu is the global Senior Business Development Manager in Digital Sovereignty at Amazon Web Services (AWS). She is passionate about cyber’s potential to safeguard digital trust, and cloud computing’s potential to democratise technology. Coming from an atypical background in Public Policy, she is a fervent champion of fellow non-technical graduates who have so much untapped potential to bring to the field. As a World Economic Forum Global Shaper in the London hub, she founded and co-leads their award-winning Inclusive Cyber project.
Pathway into cyber:
I studied Public Policy at Columbia University, where I accidentally stumbled into new cybersecurity electives, just to try something new (and to escape from corporate finance), and I pivoted to cybersecurity after through leveraging my transferable skills.
Isabel Scavetta (Product Manager, CyberSafe)
Isabel Scavetta is a Product Manager at CybSafe, the intelligent risk platform centred on the human aspect of cybersecurity. She is inspired by how we can keep people at the heart of the digital transformation of society. Her transition into the technology sector from a non-technical background, as featured by the BBC, inspired her to help hundreds of others to do the same. Her volunteer work has been recognised with accolades such as the 2022 TechWomen100 Award and McKinsey Digital Achievement Award. Now, as the Co-Lead of the London Hub I Inclusive Cyber project, she is working to demystify careers in the cyber industry for underrepresented talent.
Pathway into cyber:
I used my skills from my humanities degree to land a role in AI product development, which accelerated my passion for technology and introduced me to the future-shaping role of cybersecurity.
Samantha Burnham (Director, Learning Solutions Matter)
Sam is a Director at Learning Solutions Matter, and an expert when it comes to behavioural skills for business success.
Understanding behaviour and its impact - to improve interactions, decisions, business relationships and results – has always fascinated Sam. She has spent years helping organisations, and their people, develop the skills which ultimately drive performance.
Her fields of expertise include leadership, management, business relationships, communication, inclusivity, personal effectiveness, commerciality, and many other ‘soft’ skills for business. Sam works with organisation to analyse gaps and learning needs, in order to develop tailored learning solutions and interventions, which equip professionals to reach their full potential.
Sam has had the privilege of working with organisations of all shapes, sizes, sectors and cultures, both in the UK and internationally. Benefitting from experience with technical specialists in a range of fields, Sam has an in depth understanding of the soft skills which can really make a difference for technical experts working with non-technical professionals.
Sam and the LSM team of experts are working with the UK Cyber Security Council as one of its key learning partners.
Srishti Krishnamoorthy-Cavell, Head of Strategic Projects for Cyber, Cabinet Office
Srishti is Head of Strategic Projects for Government Cyber and has previously worked in technology leadership and academia. In the evenings, she works on her PhD on botanical tropes in contemporary experimental poetry.
Erika Lewis (Director, Cyber Security and Digital Identity, DCMS)
Erika Lewis was a founding member of London Government, moving from the voluntary sector to join the set-up team in the London Development Agency in April 2000. At the LDA she delivered regeneration programmes across London, in particular working with the Finsbury Park Partnership and on the Olympic Park delivery programme. Subsequently the Director of Strategy at the LDA, she was responsible for the development and delivery of the Mayor’s Economic Development Strategy. In 2012, Erika became a Project Director at the Competition and Markets Authority where she delivered two merger investigations and led the Private Motor Insurance and Energy Market Investigation.
Moving to the role of Director of Governance and Performance, Erika set up the CMA data, digital and tech team. Erika joined DCMS in 2018 to deliver the National Data Strategy, in addition she was responsible for Data Policy and Ethics. After leading the Brexit preparedness data team, she moved in October 2019 to the role of Director, Cyber Security and Digital Identity where she leads on the economic support for the cyber sector, the development of security approaches for consumer IoT, the government work on Secure Connected Places and Digital Identity in the economy. In 2020 she also led for DCMS on the cov-019 response package for the voluntary sector.
Bella Powell (Government Cyber Director, Cabinet Office)
Bella is Cyber Director within the Government Security Group in the Cabinet Office and is responsible for delivering the Government Cyber Security Strategy. Bella joined the Cabinet Office team in September 2022 following her role as Senior Security Advisor at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) where she established the organisation's central security function and managed significant security risks at a time of fundamental change for the organisation as a result of Brexit. Her career has spanned both the private sector and government, with previous experience including cyber security strategy and digital transformation at the Boston Consulting Group, and cyber security delivery at BAE Systems.
As Cyber Director, Bella is responsible for supporting departments to improve their cyber resilience through the rollout of the Government Cyber Security Strategy Implementation Programme. She heads up the delivery of central transformational proposals such as GovAssure and the Government Cyber Coordination Centre in partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre. She also leads the response to serious and cross-cutting cyber security incidents, threats and vulnerabilities across government.
Professor Simon Hepburn (CEO, UK Cyber Security Council)
Simon Hepburn is a 25-year veteran of the charity, education and careers sector and the Chief Executive Officer for the UK Cyber Security Council. Having previously been chief executive of a charity and founded two others, Simon has also held director positions with a variety of national and international charities, academy trusts and businesses. He was also a Trustee Board member of ACEVO (Association for Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations) and was an Enterprise Advisor for the Greater London Authority.
He has also sat on the BBC Charities Advisory Board. Simon is a member of the CyBOK (Cyber Body of Knowledge) Steering Group and the Cyber Growth Partnership Group, to ensure that the work of the Council is informed and informing the wider cyber security profession. Through his work experiences Simon has developed an impressive network of contacts with colleagues at all levels of organisations and Government.
Simon was named as one of the 100 most influential people of African or African Caribbean heritage in the Powerlist 2023 and was named an honorary visiting professor at Aston University in 2022.
Simon is passionate about making a positive impact on society and making a difference to the lives of young people and adults supporting them to be the best versions of themselves
Dwan Jones (Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, ISC2)
Dwan Jones brings more than 20 years of experience developing and leading comprehensive strategies to engage multicultural audiences to (ISC)² as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In this role, she develops and leads the organization’s internal and external strategic initiatives to foster a more diverse and inclusive cyber profession across the globe.
Dwan has extensive experience in strategic communications, multicultural program development, organizational development and has led teams to produce impactful, large-scale initiatives that drive engagement, connection and transformative change to elevate diverse voices.
Previously, she worked for Capital One, CDM Smith, AICPA, Pilot Media Companies and the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority among others. Dwan holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Syracuse University along with a master’s in organizational leadership.
Joanne Mavridis (Academy Director - Cyber Million)
As Academy Director of Cyber Million at Immersive Labs, Joanne is leading a new initiative to help solve the global cybersecurity talent gap, with more details about the program forthcoming at launch.
With a background in technology marketing leadership, across a variety of sectors, Joanne has built a career spanning over 20 years, starting in an entry level position herself just before Y2K! Determined to make a difference wherever possible, she has helped to mentor and support intern programmes, volunteer for not for profits and support CSR initiatives. Her passion to help find ways to reduce both conscious and unconscious bias within the sector will play a significant part in her new role, as it will focus on changing the way employers recruit. Proving a person’s ability, aptitude and attitude to do a job rather than asking about their experience and qualifications, will be fundamental to the changes that are needed, with this being a key reason for Joanne choosing to join Immersive Labs last year.
Pathway into cyber:
I'm now working in cybersecurity having transitioned from roles within supply chain and digital identity as a tech marketer. I started working in the technology sector just before Y2K having been offered an entry level marketing role in a start up which has resulted in a career that has spanned the last 20+ years!
Dione LeTissier (KPMG)
Dione is a Director within KPMG's Aerospace and Defence practice with over 15 years consulting experience. As a qualified coach with a background in Occupational Psychology she has a deep knowledge of business change, culture and talent management. She brings her expertise to complex change and transformation programmes within Defence, Policing and Higher Education as well as the NHS, Banking and with Private sector clients. Dione typically works on pan-government programmes delivering leadership development, change and talent initiatives.
Dione has supported various charities including Black CodHer, Crisis, Chance UK and The Social Foundation Partnership. She has worked with the unemployed in the local community to support them in KPMG’s Return to Work Programme. Dione has also invested time in recruiting graduates and experienced hire to KPMG. Dione presents at KPMG Discovery events to share knowledge and skills to KPMG’s wider business change community. She has also lead research into diversity and inclusion within the cyber industry (in conjunction with NCSC) - Diversity and Inclusion in the UK - KPMG