AN UP-and-coming cyber security expert has told how she was inspired to enter the sector after watching The Real Hustle and Catfish on TV.

Lucy Dalley, who works for C3IA Solutions in Poole, wants more women to get into the male-dominated field.

She spoke alongside Laura Wellstead, head of the group Women in Cybersecurity, at a Secure South West event at Plymouth University.

Lucy, from Southampton, said: “I became interested in cyber security by watching TV shows such as The Real Hustle and Catfish.

“Not only is the sector short of qualified personnel, but it is really interesting and there is much more to it than coding and high-tech computing.

“For example, I am active in security training and awareness, supply chain management, technical surveillance counter measures (TCSM) – or bug-sweeping – plus cloud security and cyber security standards.

“Other interests I have are in social engineering, which is understanding the psychology behind cyber criminals who trick others into making mistakes.

“It is a wide and varied industry that is constantly changing.

“After starting a degree at Bournemouth University in 2016, I went on to do a placement year with C3IA Solutions.

“This is a leading company that was one of the first six to be accredited by the National Cyber Security Centre.”

She is now a permanent member of staff and said she was keen to encourage more women into the sector.

“Women can bring a different perspective into the workspace which helps to generate new ideas and different ways to deal with problems or complex issues,” she said.

“It is also so important to hire young people so that the industry can evolve and grow.

“The will is there from within the cyber sector, and we need to promote it within schools and help encourage children in this area – they will be the cyber security experts of the future.”

She added: “Although I have a good understanding of technology, I am not a programmer or coder but I have found in cyber many areas where my other skills have really come to the fore.”