techUK renews support for national InfoSec gender diversity initiative
Organised by the leadership development specialists at Empowering You and backed by CIISec, the Government Security Group in Cabinet Office, the Northern Ireland Cyber Security Centre, Welsh Government and WiCyS the Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security programmes are a unique, cross-sector initiative, designed to address the challenge of gender diversity in the InfoSec professions and foster the creation of an empowered and empowering network of female cyber security leaders across the UK.
Participation in the programme is free of charge and accessible via an open application process, with the successful candidates being selected by a panel of leading InfoSec professionals from across government and industry. The selected applicants take part in a three-month immersive and intensive leadership development journey, including in-person group workshops, one-to-one coaching with a dedicated coach and "challenge" based group projects.
Culminating in presenting to an audience of industry and government cyber security leaders. The initiative is cross-sector, so applicants are welcomed from any sector or size of organisation, whether that be public sector, technology suppliers, financial services, manufacturing, FMCG, aerospace and defence, third sector, education and academia or health. Applicants are also encouraged to apply regardless of digital discipline or career stage and previous cohorts have included participants ranging from entry level pen testers and security analysts through to Heads of Information Assurance and Governance and CISOs.
Over the past four years, the Empowering Women to Lead… initiative has firmly established itself as a vital opportunity for female InfoSec professionals to develop their leadership capabilities, realise their potential and develop a powerful network of like-minded peers in their local region. Working with partners in government and industry, Empowering You now run regional cohorts of the programme across the UK, with their Autumn 2026 schedule including regional programmes in London & Southern England, Northern England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Their continuing success has resulted in the creation of an alumni network of over 500 female digital and InfoSec professionals across the UK.
Regional programmes: Autumn 2026
The closing date for applications to the Autumn 2026 programmes will fall in August and details for all programmes, including course content, methodology and timelines can be found at the links below:
(Close date - 21 August)
(Close date - 21 August)
(Close date - 14 August)
(Close date - 14 August)
(Close date - 4 September)
If you have any questions regarding the programme or application process, please contact the organisers directly at hello@empowering-you.co.uk, referencing “EWTL – Cyber Security” in the subject line.
