Empower Girls 2026: Inspiring the Future of Northern Ireland’s Cyber and Tech Talent

This year, 700 Year 8 girls from 24 schools came together at ICC Belfast for what has become one of Northern Ireland’s most energising tech and cyber security events. From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was electric. Students gathered around interactive exhibits, took on hands‑on cyber security challenges, and listened to real stories from people building the technologies shaping our world.

 And the impact was immediate.

At the start of the day, just 37% of the girls said they had ever considered a career in cyber security or technology. By the time they were heading home, that figure had jumped to 62%. A remarkable shift in a single day. Seeing that change happen in real time - through one demo, one conversation, one moment of “I didn’t know I could do this” - is exactly why this event exists.

Empower Girls is delivered through the partnership of Aflac Northern Ireland and CyberFirst NI, supported by a growing ecosystem of employers, schools, universities, public sector bodies, and volunteers. It has continued to grow since 2024, building real momentum along the way. So far, it has reached more than 1,550 girls, partnered with 79 organisations, and brought together 620 industry professionals who volunteer their time to show the next generation what’s possible.

Throughout the day, the girls fully immersed themselves in the experience. They took part in ethical hacking challenges, explored AI through hands‑on demonstrations, learned about digital forensics and cloud technology, and heard directly from women working in these fields. For many, it was the first time they had met someone who looked like them in a technology role - and the impact was clear. Teachers said the same thing again and again: the girls were buzzing. One shared that her pupils “thought the day was amazing” and that it had “definitely sparked an interest in the cyber industry.” Another put it simply: “They didn’t want to leave.”

With women making up just 17% of the UK cyber security workforce, the gender gap is real - and it starts early. Empower Girls steps in before subject choices are locked in, before self‑doubt creeps in, before stereotypes take hold. As Sara Lyons, CyberFirst NI Project Manager, explained:
“Events like this open doors early and help build the diverse workforce Northern Ireland needs.”

For many of these girls, this day marked their first step into the world of cyber and technology - but it won’t be the last. Initiatives like the CyberFirst Girls Competition and wider CyberFirst pathways are ready to take that initial spark and turn it into something bigger.

And that’s the real magic of Empower Girls: the moment a girl realises, “I can do this.”
Because once she sees it, she can be it.