The National Cyber Resilience Centre Group (NCRCG) have just released the latest episode of their podcast 'Cyber Versed', focusing on neurodiversity in the world of cyber. Hosted by Mandy Haeburn-Little, Cyber Versed is the NCRCG's regular podcast that casts a spotlight onto many different topics relating to cyber.

This latest episode concerns neurodiversity and how it affects those working in cyber. The term neurodiversity encompasses an umbrella of conditions, including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, which affect vast numbers of people to a varying degree. Being neurodivergent can impact on every aspect of a person's life, including work, but if people are considered and supported adequately, their differences can prove to be an advantage rather than a hindrance.

This episode sees Mandy Haeburn-Little joined by two guests, Karen Blake who is the CEO of 'Tech Talent Charter', as well as Caroline Turner, who is the founder and CEO of 'Creased Puddle'. Karen is passionate about driving inclusivity and diversity across the tech system, recognising the need to equip organisations with practical insights into neurodiversity, in order to better understand and support the workforce. She believes neurodiversity needs to be considered at every level of an organisation, and that thorough data is essential in strategizing the best ways to support people in the workplace. Discussions around neurodiversity in the media have increased in recent yeas, however Karen is passionate about ensuring that we are not working in a system that sets neurodivergent people up for failure.

Caroline Turner also shares her insights in this latest episode. Creased Puddle are an organisation that focuses specifically on neurodivergence in the workplace, offering training, workshops and diagnostic assessments. They work to ensure that other companies understand the broad spectrum of neurodivergent conditions and encourage open dialogue and curiosity amongst their team. Caroline's passion around the neurodivergent experience comes from her personal life. When Caroline found out that her son was neurodivergent she began researching it and found a lack of guidance and support surrounding equality. Additionally, many of the resources available tended to focus on a deficit narrative, rather than highlight the positives and advantages of experiencing the world as a neurodivergent person. Thus, Caroline used her experiences from both her personal and professional life and founded Creased Puddle. She thinks it is essential to work with companies to identify their requirements and deliver quality training and education that meets them.

It is an informative and compelling episode, celebrating the progress of recent years and the shortfalls that still need to be addressed. A neurodivergent workforce has so much to offer, and learning how best to harness this power is critical to uplifting neurodivergent people working in cyber. The NCRCG regularly release new podcast episodes, which you can find here.

Reporting a live cyber-attack 24/7:

If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber-attack (in progress) please call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 immediately. This service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Reporting a cyber-attack which isn’t ongoing:

Please report online to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. You can report cybercrime online at any time using the online reporting tool, which will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened. Action Fraud advisors can also provide the help, support, and advice you need.

Alternatively, you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050)