NCSC has released its second annual diversity report, produced in partnership with KPMG. The Decrypting Diversity 2021 report examines diversity and inclusivity over the past 12 years and, while overall it found some improvements, it concludes that more needs to be done to improve experiences and opportunities for all.

As a result of the report the NCSC has made five commitments to improve diversity:

• The NCSC’s efforts to create a thriving cyber education ecosystem will focus on engagement with establishments with high proportions of students from under-represented communities.
• The CyberFirst bursary programme will aspire to achieve year-on-year increases in the proportion of females offered a place, until it reflects the demographics of the UK.
• Changes will be made to external recruitment practices to ensure the NCSC attracts diverse talent to accurately represent the communities it serves.
• Measures will be implemented to achieve elimination of the gender pay gap and ethnic minority pay gap within the organisation.
• Information and support will be provided to members of our workforce so that they are sensitive to and take action to promote a fully inclusive environment.

“CREST welcomes the package of measures from NCSC, which are designed to improve diversity in the cyber security community and are based on the findings of its second annual diversity report,” said Samantha Alexander, Interim Executive Director of CREST. “Diversity and inclusion is essential for our industry. Not just because it is the right thing to do. Not just because of the skills shortage. But because of maximising innovation and creativity of thought. If we improve diversity and inclusion then we will provide better resilience to threat.”

A copy of the report can be downloaded here: Decrypting Diversity 2021 report (ncsc.gov.uk)