UK Cybersecurity Industry Faces Decline in Female Representation

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UK Cybersecurity Industry Faces Decline in Female Representation

First seen 4 Oct 2026, 04:08 UTC • •24.3

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ThreatCluster •October 4, 2026 at 06:06 UTC

•Female representation in UK cybersecurity has dropped to 16%.
•Only 12% of senior roles are held by women with over six years of experience.
•Stereotypes and structural barriers hinder women's advancement in the field.

The proportion of women in the UK cybersecurity industry has decreased to 16%, the lowest since 2021. This decline highlights ongoing gender diversity challenges within STEM fields, especially in cybersecurity, where women with over six years of experience represent only 12%. Structural barriers, such as employer exclusion and stereotypes regarding women's capabilities, contribute to this disparity. Despite girls outperforming boys in STEM subjects, fewer women pursue cybersecurity courses. Recruitment agents report concerns from employers about hiring women due to potential maternity leave, violating the UK's Equality Act 2010. The average female representation across all UK industries is 48%, while the digital workforce averages 30%. The report emphasizes the need for change to improve diversity in the cybersecurity sector.

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4 entities, 3 inferred relationships (STIX 2.1).

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Technique (3)

Phishing
Zero-day Attack
T1566 - Phishing

Affected Platform (1)

SharePoint

Relationships

Phishing targets SharePoint
Zero-day Attack targets SharePoint
T1566 - Phishing targets SharePoint

Common questions

What is the current percentage of women in UK cybersecurity?

The current percentage of women in the UK cybersecurity industry is 16%.

What barriers do women face in advancing to senior roles?

Women face structural barriers, stereotypes about their capabilities, and concerns from employers regarding maternity leave.

How does female representation in cybersecurity compare to other industries?

The average female representation in the UK cybersecurity industry is significantly lower than the 48% average across all UK industries.

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