Source of Change

Ahead of DTX + UCX Manchester 2026, Ebunoluwa Idowu, ambassador of Coding Black Females, responds to this exclusive Entrepreneur UK Q&A, where she talks about the purpose of Coding Black Females and the importance of improving the representation of black women in the technology sector. 

Can you tell me more about Coding Black Females and its purpose? 
Coding Black Females is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to increasing the representation and participation of black women in the technology sector. We provide a comprehensive support ecosystem through bootcamps, mentorship programs, and technical workshops. Our primary purpose is to create a space where black female developers and tech professionals can develop their skills, network with familiar faces, and build meaningful professional relationships. By hosting regular meetups, we ensure our members have access to the resources and community support necessary to thrive in their careers. Whether someone is just starting their journey or is an established professional, the organisation serves as a vital bridge to opportunities and a safe space for sharing experiences.  I currently serve as an Ambassador for the West Midlands region and as a mentor in our ongoing cybersecurity bootcamp. We recently hosted a meetup in Birmingham that was incredibly successful, further highlighting the power of local community engagement. 

How can the industry support inclusion and reduce burnout in cybersecurity? 
The industry must move toward intentional partnership. While organisations often make diversity promises, the actual effort is only felt when it is visible and consistent. To drive inclusion, companies should consciously partner with organisations like Coding Black Females and Cyblack to provide shadowing opportunities and clear pipelines for diverse talent. Being open about industry realities is also key. When people have access to honest information, they can make informed career decisions. Regarding burnout, leadership must prioritise feedback and create conducive environments. We need to foster a culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities rather than the end of a career. By implementing human-centred incident response playbooks that include” that mandate rest and rotation, we can protect our most valuable assets from the mental health risks of this high-pressure field.

What are the key challenges facing the cybersecurity industry today? 
A major challenge is building and navigating trust within the industry. Cybersecurity is a high-trust field, and for early-career professionals, it can be tedious to break into established networks. With the rise of AI-driven impersonation attempts and recent tech industry layoffs, trust has become an even more valuable and scarce currency. Another major challenge is the significant gap between academic theory and industry reality. Many students hear the bad news regarding breaches but lack a full grasp of the day-to-day operational realities. This leads to a knowledge gap when they step into the professional world. We must find better ways to provide students with realistic insights into the industry so they are better prepared for the high-pressure environments they will eventually manage.  Additionally, the constant pressure of staying ahead of evolving threats while managing burnout remains a persistent industry-wide concern. 

How are you participating at DTX Manchester 2026?
I am honoured to be speaking on the People-Powered Security stage at DTX Manchester. I will be participating in a panel titled “Protect your people, not just profits,” as I firmly believe that people are the heartbeat of any organisation’s advancement. My contribution will focus on how management must prioritise the mental and physical well-being of the teams working tirelessly to defend their infrastructure. In cybersecurity, we acknowledge that no matter how “perfect” your defences are, it is impossible to guarantee that a breach won’t occur. This reality creates immense, constant pressure on security professionals. It is vital that team wellbeing is not just an afterthought, but a core consideration when developing corporate policies and making high-stakes operational decisions during and after an incident. 

What do you hope visitors will learn from your session? 
I hope visitors walk away with a deep understanding of why security teams must feel prioritised, particularly from the perspective of an early-career professional. As humans, we constantly make decisions based on how we perceive our environment, both actively and passively. When employees feel truly valued while carrying out high-pressure tasks, their commitment to the company’s defence naturally strengthens and contributes to an overall effective security culture. I want attendees to see that a people-first culture is a universal responsibility, and it applies whether you are a manager, analyst, intern, or CISO. By the end of the session, I hope to inspire a shift in mindset where leadership views human resilience as being just as critical as technical resilience, ensuring that the people protecting the profits are themselves protected.

Ebunoluwa Idowu is speaking at DTX + UCX Manchester on 29th – 30th April 2026. She will speak on the People-Powered Security Stage for a fireside chat discussing ‘Protect your people, not just profits.’ Join her on Wednesday 29th April – 14.50PM – 15.25PM