Applications Open for National Women in Cyber Leadership Initiative
Take part in the "Empowering Women to Lead in Cyber Security" Spring 2026 programme
Applications to the award winning ”Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security” initiative have launched and will be closing in February for their Spring 2026 season of regional programs around the UK, and techUK are delighted to again be an official Supporting Organisation. Organised by the leadership development specialists at Empowering You and backed by CIISec, the Government Security Group in Cabinet Office, the Scottish Government and ScotlandIS, the “Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security” programs 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 program 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/Governance and CISOs.
Funding for participants is provided via a unique industry Partnership model, backed by some of the leading employers of cyber security professionals across multiple industry sectors including the likes of Lloyds Banking Group, NCC Group, Quorum Cyber and Sage.
Over the past five 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 program across the UK, with their Spring 2026 schedule including regional programs in London & Southern England, Northern England and Scotland, with further regions to be included in their upcoming Autumn sessions. Their continuing success has resulted in the creation of an alumni network of over 600 female digital professionals across the UK.
The closing date for applications to the Spring 2026 programs is the 13th of February and details for all programs, including course content, methodology and timelines can be found at the links below:
London & Southern England – Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security - London & Southern England - Spring/Summer | Empowering You
Northern England - Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security - Northern England - Spring | Empowering You
Scotland - Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security - Scotland - Spring/Summer | Empowering You
If you have any questions regarding the program or application process, please contact the organisers directly at [email protected], referencing “EWTL – Cyber Security” in the subject line.
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