The Security Event 2026 opens tomorrow and runs for three days to April 30. Among its conference themes is the skills shortage across the UK security sector, including under-representation of women.
The organisers of the event at the Birmingham NEC point to how the UK security and cyber sector continues to face a persistent talent gap, with nearly half (49 per cent) of businesses reporting basic technical security skills shortages and 30pc struggling to fill advanced roles. The workforce remains overwhelmingly male, with women making up just 17 per cent of the cybersecurity workforce, falling to only 12pc in senior roles.
Hence at the event, female apprentices and early-career professionals will be showcased as part of an effort to inspire more women into security careers. The cyber sector spans beyond traditional roles, offering pathways into:
- Cyber threat intelligence
- Counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation
- Surveillance and risk analysis
- AI-driven security operations
Programmes such as CyberFirst are showing the impact of early engagement, with initiatives achieving up to 40pc female participation and significantly increasing confidence and career interest among young women. Katey Martin at Girls Who Dare added: โEncouraging more women into security isnโt just about fairness. Diverse teams are better equipped to respond to the complex threats we face today.โ
Peter Poole, Group Event Director of the Nineteen Group said: โWeโre seeing real momentum, but progress is too slow. The security sector simply cannot afford to overlook half of the population when facing such a critical skills shortage.โ
Speakers
Among the speakers at the show are Charlotte Male, a self-defence instructor; Bethany Delany of Hinson Security; Julie Nel, coming to the close of her three year term as chair of the Security Institute; and Security Industry Authority (SIA) Chief Executive Michelle Russell. Visit https://www.thesecurityevent.co.uk/.
Photo by Mark Rowe: video wall on the exhibition floor, 2025.
