Empowering Women to Lead
Information on and how to apply for the Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security programme. Deadlines to apply depend on your region, but all fall in February 2026.
The award-winning Empowering Women to Lead, an external initiative from Empowering You, has announced that its long-established “Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security” programmes will again be available to female InfoSec professionals in the Civil Service across England and Scotland as part of its Spring/Summer 2026 schedule.
Run by the leadership development specialists at Empowering You and supported by techUK, the Government Security Group, CiISEC and the Scottish Government, the “Empowering Women to Lead Cyber Security” programs are a unique, cross-sector initiative, designed to foster the creation of an empowered and empowering network of female cyber security leaders across the UK. Their continued success has created an alumni network of over 500 female InfoSec professionals across the UK, including over 150 from central government agencies and departments.
Programme details
The selected applicants take part in a three-month immersive and intensive leadership development journey, which includes:
- in-person group workshops
- one-to-one coaching with a dedicated coach and “challenge” based group projects
- presenting to an audience of industry and government cyber security leaders
Successful applicants will join security professionals from across a range of sectors and sizes of organisation, including the public sector, technology suppliers, financial services, manufacturing, aerospace and defence, the third sector, and health.
We encourage you to apply regardless of digital discipline or career stage, and previous cohorts have included participants ranging from entry-level Pen Testers and analysts through to Heads of Information Assurance/Governance and CISOs.
How to apply
Select the most appropriate region for you based on your location.
Participation in the programme is free of charge and open to all through the application process.
The closing date for applications to the Spring/Summer 2026 programmes and details for all programs, including course content, methodology and timelines can be found at the links below:
- London and Southern England – deadline to apply 13 February 2026
- Northern England – deadline 20 February 2026
- Scotland – deadline 20 February 2026