13 January 2026 | The UK Cyber Security Council

New year, new opportunities – with applications open to join the UK Cyber Security Council’s Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) until 25th January, it is a great time to reflect on the Panel’s achievements since its inception two years ago.

Our Youth Advisory Panel is made up of 18 members aged between 16 and 25 from different pathways who are passionate about cyber security. Led by an appointed Chair, members of the YAP represent focal points such as Careers & Skills, Marketing & Social Media, Technical Routes, Academic Routes, Further Education and Outreach. Through collaboration with other panel members, the Council, and other organisations, the YAP have played an integral role in making the youth voice heard in the cyber security sector.

Over the last two years, YAP members have contributed to the Council's work in numerous ways, ranging from writing blog posts, creating content for Instagram, organising and participating in webinars, to attending in-person events and reaching out to schools and other organisations to get more young people involved in the sector. Tasks and projects were often challenging and required initiative, tenacity and willingness to learn from all participants.

Will Pedrick, who has served two terms on the YAP, described his experience in the following way:

My time on the Youth Advisory Panel has been rewarding in many ways, from the people I’ve met to the technical learning. I feel it has helped me learn and grow so much.
I joined the panel when I was part-way through studying my A levels, including Computer Science, and when I had just finished my EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) which focused on the attitudes of young people towards cyber security. I had lots of theoretical knowledge but less practical application.
I was immediately propelled into a world where I could apply my knowledge to real life issues. One example was reviewing job descriptions for a major UK organisation to ensure they reflected specific cyber responsibilities and skill requirements.
I enjoyed the meetings, especially the face-to-face ones, where I could meet with a diverse group of fellow panel members and professionals and enjoyed contributing to fruitful discussions on important issues and learning from their expertise.
An important role of the YAP is to raise awareness on cyber issues, and the panel has enabled me to do this, both directly and indirectly. For example, the knowledge and skills gained from the Panel made me confident enough to volunteer to do a presentation at college to hundreds of students on the cyber risks they face and preventative actions they should take, as well as outlining cyber career opportunities and routes, which many were interested in.
It is a fantastic initiative to provide young people a voice in the cyber world and such a supportive and informed forum to be part of.

What makes the YAP a coveted volunteering opportunity is its give-and-take: YAP members provide the Council with first-hand experiences of young people, assistance with specific tasks, and – most importantly – their time. Volunteers get to meet like-minded people, make valuable industry connections, gain vital project management skills, and help us professionalise not only the cyber industry, but also cyber-adjacent sectors.

Ruby Richardson, who started her term on the YAP in April 2025, shares her thoughts and the impact volunteering had on her:

Being part of the Youth Advisory Panel has provided me with plenty of opportunities to learn, meet inspiring people and better understand the industry. As an upcoming graduate, I used my time on the panel to learn more about the cyber security industry and navigate what my next steps should be after university.
One of these learning opportunities came from a meeting with the Royal Air Force and their Cyber Space team. The meeting was insightful and gave me a better understanding of the roles available and the opportunities they can lead to, sparking my interest in the armed forces and the role cyber security plays within them.
Having recently completed my industrial placement when I joined the panel, I was eager to share my experiences with other university students considering this pathway. Working with the Social Media team, I shared my experience, advice and knowledge on placements and further opportunities through Instagram Reel videos. This was a great way to connect with students considering taking a year to gain industry experience and share how much it benefitted me, both as a student and in shaping my future goals.
Reflecting on my time with the YAP, I am grateful for the opportunities and exposure I have gained from being a member. As someone who was originally unsure of my path in cyber security, I have found interests in areas I was previously unaware of, and hope that others can use the Youth Advisory Panel to help guide their own cyber security journey.

Join the Youth Advisory Panel

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, we're currently recruiting for new members of the Youth Advisory Panel. If you are aged 16-25, have a passion for cyber security and want to get involved as a volunteer with the Council, we'd love to hear from you. Applications are open until Sunday 25th January 2026. Click here to find out more.