GCHQ plans to establish all-female cyber skills classes as part of a push to improve gender diversity in the cyber workforce.

Warnings of skills shortages appear to be concerning security services, which are growing increasingly worried about missing out on potential female recruits.

According to GCHQ’s cyber defence wing, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), around 90% of the global cyber workforce is male – an issue that Deputy Director for Skills and Growth Chris Ensor says must be addressed.

Free places for up to 600 women will be made available for the all-female CyberFirst Defenders courses, scheduled to run in April and May of this year.

Venues for the four-day courses include locations in Edinburgh, Oxfordshire, Nottingham, Wrexham and Lancaster.

The aim of these courses is to encourage more young women to take up careers in cyber and break the male-dominated image of the sector. Previously, all-female classes have been used in schools as a way to build confidence in a number of subjects.

Last month, the NCSC launched its CyberFirst Girls competition, aimed at promoting and raising awareness of computer skills and careers in cybersecurity.

The initiative is part of a broader project to develop cyber skills among young people to prevent future talent shortages.

However, the NCSC says the lack of women in cybersecurity is only one aspect of a wider problem. The disparity between the number of men and women pursuing careers in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is a cause for concern.

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The cyber defence agency says around 35% of its staff are female, with half of its senior leadership positions currently held by women.

Commenting on the CyberFirst Girls initiative in December, Digital Minister Margot James said: “We want to show girls across the country that cybersecurity is exciting, rewarding and challenging.

“The CyberFirst Girls competition will help inspire the workforce of the future and also show girls that whatever their background or interest, a career in cybersecurity is fulfilling.”