Webinar: Empowering Women in Cyber Security | 6 March 2026

Why It Matters

Empowering women in cyber security expands the talent pool, directly addressing skill shortages and strengthening organizational resilience, while fostering inclusive cultures that drive higher performance and innovation.

Key Takeaways

• Diverse cyber teams close skill gaps and boost performance.
• Early STEM outreach reaches millions, building future talent pipeline.
• Alternative hiring routes bring non‑technical backgrounds into cyber roles.
• Flexible work and mentorship retain women and improve engagement.
• Male allies amplifying women’s voices accelerates inclusive culture.

Summary

The webinar, hosted by research fellow Piranha Joshi on International Women’s Day, spotlighted Dr. Mary Haye, BAE Systems’ Director of Digital Delivery and Deputy Global CIO, to discuss the persistent gender imbalance in cyber security and actionable pathways to redress it.

Mary highlighted stark industry data: only 17% of the UK cyber workforce is female while 44% of firms report critical skill gaps. She argued that diversity is not a moral add‑on but a business imperative, citing research that diverse teams outperform and are essential for tackling escalating cyber threats. BAE’s response includes extensive early‑career programs—internships, apprenticeships, graduate schemes—and a STEM roadshow that has engaged 1.3 million pupils alongside the Royal Air Force and Navy.

Concrete examples underscored the impact: a finance professional, Helen, transitioned to lead cyber‑risk work after a six‑month intensive course; Chandanda, a journalism graduate, rose from apprentice to application support manager; and a former care‑home operations manager now handles crisis response in cyber incidents. Mary emphasized flexible working, clear career pathways, and the power of mentorship through the RISE scheme, while noting that male allies who amplify women’s contributions can shift cultural norms.

The discussion concluded that firms must embed inclusive hiring, nurture non‑technical talent, and sustain supportive cultures to close skill shortages, enhance resilience, and secure a competitive edge in the rapidly expanding cyber economy.

Original Description

To mark International Women’s Day, Dr Mary Haigh, Director of Digital Delivery and Deputy Global CIO, BAE Systems, discusses her career and the cyber security profession.

The event was moderated by Prerana Joshi, Research Fellow in Cyber and Tech, RUSI.

Recorded online on 6 March 2026.

Dr Mary Haigh was appointed to her current role in May 2025. Since joining BAE Systems in 2015, she has held a number of roles including Global Chief Information Security Officer and Director of Cyber for BAE Systems Applied Intelligence. Previously, she led the technical roadmap for the cyber security division in QinetiQ and has worked in the cyber security domain since 2009. Dr Haigh is a RUSI Senior Associate Fellow.