Dr Ismini Vasileiou will lead a discussion on addressing one of the most urgent challenges facing the UK cyber security sector: building a skilled and representative workforce.

The East Midlands Cyber Security Centre (EMCSC) founder will present at the online SASIG event, which will be chaired by John Scott, of Wildpark Security Consultancy.

SASIG (Security Awareness Special Interest Group) is a leading, subscription-free networking and thought leadership forum. It is attended by thousands of cybersecurity professionals from across the UK and internationally.

Dr Vasileiou’s webinar is entitled Ctrl+Alt+Include: Rebooting cyber skills with diversity at the core and will take place on Tuesday 6 May 2025.

She said: “The cyber threat landscape is evolving and organisations across the UK are struggling to fill critical roles.

“Despite this clear need, systemic barriers continue to prevent people from underrepresented groups from taking up cyber careers.

“In this event, we’ll be looking at these challenges and ideas for actionable strategies to overcome them.”

Dr Vasileiou, an Associate Professor at De Montfort University Leicester, will draw on national initiatives, industry-academic collaborations, and the latest research.

In doing so, she will outline the importance of inclusive recruitment and learning pathways, as well as sharing her own experiences.

The session is designed for professionals across industry, education, and policy.

Dr Vasileiou founded East Midlands Cyber Security Cluster in 2023. Part of the UKC3 network, it serves as a comprehensive resource and support network for businesses, academia, and public sector organisations across the region.

Dr Vasileiou leads the CyberSprint: Fast Track to the Future initiative – a SASIG-backed Government-funded project that is redefining how cyber training is delivered.

The Ctrl+Alt+Include: Rebooting cyber skills event is aimed at:

• Cybersecurity professionals and leaders seeking to future-proof their teams

• HR and recruitment specialists interested in inclusive hiring

• Educators and policymakers shaping the next generation of cyber talent

• Anyone passionate about building a more equitable digital sector

Attendees who are members of ISACA, ICA, or The Security Institute can also earn CPE/CPD points for participating live. The event runs from 11am to 12pm.

Registration is open to SASIG members. If you are not yet a member, you can apply online.