Difference is Strength
Welcome to NeuroCyber
The Cyber Neurodiversity Group
The cyber sector has united to work to improve outcomes for neurodiverse individuals, positively impact the cyber skills gap and enrich our sector with new ways of thinking and true inclusion. Our member organisations work passionately to coordinate national activity, raise awareness, increase knowledge and accelerate action.
Are you 11-17?
The Matrix Challenge is a free cyber skills competition open to every 11 to 17 year old in the United Kingdom. This online challenge was created by police in Yorkshire and Humberside and is being supported by police services across the country.
The initial challenge is via an online platform (see www.matrix-challenge.uk). Participants around the UK will be able to compete in the challenge anytime from Monday 20th January to Thursday 14th February 2020.
The online game should take 35 to 45 minutes to complete. There will be 5 elements tested: The Computer Misuse Act 1990, staying safe online, steganography, python coding and a cipher. The challenge is designed to test digital skills and encourage the development of abilities that would enable a career in the cyber security landscape.
The top 40 performing participants from the online competition in London will be invited to a regional semi-final that we are organising.
It will take place in Central London on 22nd March 2020. This will test further practical skills – likely to involve capture the flag style competitions, team building exercise and puzzle solving skills.
Recent News
NeuroCyber's Mike Spain in Infosecurity Magazine (Q2 2019, Digital Edition)
Founder, Mike Spain is in the cover feature for Infosecurity Magazine (digital edition, Q2 2019) in Kathryn Pick's excellent "Neurodiversity in Cybersecurity" article - alongside Becky Pinkard, Emma Kearns, Mary-Jo de Leeuw
[23/05/19]
Neurodiversity: A different way of looking at the world
Neurodiverse strengths
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Logical & methodical
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Cognitive pattern recognition
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“Outside the box” thinking
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Attention to detail
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Reliability & loyalty
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Integrity
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Focussed
Harness the skills
What's in it for you?
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Diverse & stronger workforce
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Cover key skills gaps
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Increased productivity
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Better reputation
Unlock the benefit
Getting it right
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The right role
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The right training
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The right leadership
Close the skills gap
Our projects: accelerating awareness & knowledge into action
Practical Toolkit
Aimed at employers, the group will develop guidance to include areas such as: Neurodiverse skillsets, business benefits, board guidance, case studies, SME guide, employment, onboarding, management and retention of neurodiverse staff.
Information Hub
The group will look to expand on this information site and develop a Cyber Neurodiversity Hub. This will provide an accessible single point of reference for information from across the sector.
Live Events
The group will look to run, or be present at, a number of events across the UK. This will provide the opportunity for the cyber industry to meet neurodiverse individuals, parents, carers & employers. We want to learn together through challenges, roundtable discussion and seminars in a friendly, enjoyable and accessible environment.
Useful resources
About the Cyber Neurodiversity Group
The UK Cyber sector has united to work towards improving outcomes for Neurodiverse individuals.
There are around 700,000 people in the UK on the autism spectrum. Approximately 1 in 100. Current data shows that only 16% of adults with autism (a neurodiverse condition) are in full time employment. This figure has not improved since 2007.
At the same time, the cyber security sector is struggling with an increasing skills gap, expected to reach 3.5 million globally by 2021.
Up to ¾ of cognitively able autistic adults could possess the aptitude and skillset for a career in cyber security.
There are a growing number of organisations in the UK Cyber sector providing schemes for those with neurodiverse conditions, but the employment and retention figures remain stagnated. Greater impact will only be achieved at scale through effective coordination across the sector.
Formed in October 2017, the Cyber Neurodiversity Group is building on the good work already underway in the sector. Over 40 members represent UK Government, the UK Cyber Industry, Academia & Third Sector to come together to better coordinate activity.
With the shared knowledge & experience of participants, the aim is to improve outcomes by attracting and retaining those with neurodiverse conditions, enrichment of the sector through diversity and positively impacting the skills gap.
The member organisations
Supporters
