Since my retirement from paid employment, I have kept myself busy in education through IT. First, by founding and leading a Charity to install computers in every hospital which had a children’s ward in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. When this was complete, I started Cyber Girls First, raising awareness in girls that careers in technology and cyber are not just for boys, but that girls can build themselves an interesting and rewarding career.

I am proud to have received industry awards, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, from both the Cyber OSPAs and ISACA Central UK, but my greatest achievement was being honoured with CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List in the summer of 2023, followed by a very memorable day at Windsor Castle for the investiture by HM The King on 19th December 2023, but I cannot do this on my own and this is where I am asking for help in building the future workforce we need to maximise the positive benefits in the use of technology and to keep us safe in cyber space in the increasing and evolving digital world.

When I started Cyber Girls First in January 2014, I knew I could not carry this programme on my own. From the beginning, I received enormous amounts of pro bono help from J.P. Morgan, Field Fisher LLP, Elizabeth Barr from Cisco, Jonathan Evans (our much-valued pro bono accountant), Martin King (who never fails to answer my queries on IT and has completed a restructuring of our website). Mike Hughes, Past President and Director of Relationships at ISACA Central UK, who provides me with a valuable sounding board and support at events. Cyber Girls First are ISACA Central UK’s main recipient for fund raising and support, particularly from Raj Atwal, Keith Hayes, Anitha Chinnswamy, Debbie Fletcher and Jonathan Evans. Another major supporter is Martin Smith MBE and Danny King from The SASIG (Security Awareness Special Interest Group) who have taken us on as their main fund-raising recipient. Whenever I need advice from the SASIG, my first port of call is Nadia Khan, who never fails to help. We do not have to find rent or salaries thus all income goes straight into the costs of our events around the country. We have completed 70 in England and Wales, reaching over 6,500 year 8 girls.

Please go to our website if you would like more information on our work: www.cybergirlsfirst.com

Thanks to Sarah Price and Mary Speakman (Code Galaxy, Blackpool) we are venturing into the field of Lower Sixth careers advice and Escape Rooms, with our first trial programme at Lancaster University.

Presentations and interactive games by Sarah Price, (Retired Head of Cyber Education and Awareness (EMEA) at JPMorganChase), Cheryl Martin (Global Head of Cyber C86, ex global Cyber lead Cap Gemini), Christie Lester, (a Software Engineer at Create Future in Glasgow), GCHQ/NCSC, Yasuko Ohtake (ISACA London), Vodafone, Colt Technology,  Actica and Accenture.

The work continues and we need your help. Whilst this honour recognises what we have achieved, it also highlights how much more there is to be done. The cybersecurity skills gap continues to widen, and young women remain significantly underrepresented in the field. Every event must be funded, e.g. materials and transport for our volunteers – and every pound donated goes directly towards inspiring the next generation of cyber professionals, be they graduates or apprentices.

Our ambition is to double our reach over the next three years, taking our programme to over 100 schools and reaching 13,000 girls. We’re also expanding into careers advice for Lower Sixth students and developing innovative Escape Room experiences that make cybersecurity tangible and exciting, but we can only do this with your support.

Whether you can offer financial support (however small), volunteer your time, or connect us with schools in your area, we would welcome your input. Together, we can continue to break down barriers and show young women that a career in cybersecurity is not just possible – it is exciting, rewarding, and desperately needed.

This CBE belongs to every volunteer, donor, and supporter who has believed in our mission. Thank you for making it possible.

Pat Ryan CBE