Technology giant IBM will back plans with the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NSCS) and Department of Science Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) to encourage more young people in cyber careers.

IBM has announced that it will provide the online platform for the CyberFirst Girls competition – a UK-wide programme open to girls between the ages of 12 and 13.

The CyberFirst Girls Competition, currently run by the NCSC, is the UK’s flagship cybersecurity programme for schools, with more than 85,000 students across the country having taken part since its launch in 2017.

It puts students through a series of cyber challenges from cryptography and networking to artificial intelligence, building up their skills and encouraging them to consider future careers in the field.

To support the next generation of cyber talent, IBM will provide the platform for the 2025 edition of the competition.

Improving the diversity of the UK’s cyber sector is a key priority for the government, with women currently accounting for just 17% of our cyber workforce.

Though average salaries in the sector exceed £56,000 – with the top 20% of earners receiving salaries between £73,000 and £350,000 – almost half of UK businesses (44%) also report having cybersecurity skills gaps, meaning it’s more pressing than ever to ensure the next generation of cybersecurity leaders are joining the ranks.

Further, research from BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, showed that here are about half a million women missing from the tech industry, highlighting the persistent gender gap in the sector, which permeates into cybersecurity.

“If we’re going to keep the UK safe from the threats we face online, then we need to build a diverse workforce which is reflective of every community in the country,” minister for cybersecurity Feryal Clark said.

“By partnering with IBM to deliver the next edition of the CyberFirst Girls Competition, we’re driving forward our plans to do exactly that – building up the skills of young girls across the country and nurturing the next generation of UK cyber leaders.

“The girls who will benefit from this support could even go on to represent the UK Cyber Team – the cream of the crop of British cyber talent who will fly the flag for us across the world – and I’ll be proudly cheering the team on today as they head to Dublin for their first international competition.”

Chris Ensor, NCSC Deputy Director for Cyber Growth, added: “Over the past decade, the CyberFirst Girls Competition has offered tens of thousands of young women a fun opportunity to test their cyber skills against real-world cyber problems.

“I’m delighted that a new partnership across government and the private sector will be taking forward the delivery of this vital initiative which is inspiring the next generation of cyber security professionals.

“We need a cyber industry which reflects our diverse society and encourages the most talented individuals to keep our digital lives secure.”

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The move to boost cyber skills is part of the government’s wider work to grow the economy and develop the successful UK cybersecurity sector, which is now worth £13.2 billion, up 12% on the previous year.

“IBM is delighted to build upon our partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre by supporting the CyberFirst Girls competition with DSIT,” Mark Hughes, IBM global managing partner for cybersecurity said.

“Our commitment to fostering diversity in cybersecurity remains unwavering, as highlighted in our ‘Diversity & Inclusion in Cybersecurity’ initiative.

“This new collaboration is a significant step towards nurturing the next generation of cyber leaders, ensuring a more inclusive and robust industry.

“We are confident that this partnership will make a substantial impact in encouraging more young girls to pursue rewarding careers in cybersecurity.”