An aspiring cyber security analyst from Bromsgrove has been shortlisted for a prestigious award at the Women in Tech Excellence awards.
Grace with Vice Chancellor David Green, collecting an Academic Scholarship earlier in her studies.
Grace Ashmore, who is in the third year of her Cyber Security degree at the University of Worcester, has been shortlisted in the Graduate of the Year/Apprentice of the Year: Technical Consulting category of the national awards.
“Being shortlisted is quite humbling,” she said. “When you’re focussed on your day-to-day work, achieving goals and trying to make a contribution, you don’t always stop to think about how that work is viewed by other people. To receive that recognition is such a nice feeling.”
Grace added: “Sometimes you’re so focussed on the next milestone that you don’t take a step back and look at the bigger picture, and this nomination has given me the chance to do that, and I’m incredibly grateful to have been recognised in this way.”
Grace’s nomination follows a successful placement year with cybersecurity firm CSA Cyber, where she joined as a Cyber Operator.
“I loved my placement,” she said. “I’ve been able to work on real cases, with real clients, helping protect them from genuine threats. The placement has taught me time management, helped me develop professionally and gave me experience you simply can’t get only in a classroom.
Grace added: “It was incredibly rewarding to carry out investigations that genuinely helped keep organisations safe. That gave me something to be really proud of.”
James Rowley from CSA Cyber said: “Grace has been a pleasure to work with throughout her placement year at CSA. She has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic, a keen eye for investigation, and a genuine passion for cyber security.”
“This nomination is thoroughly deserved,” added James. “It reflects the effort and commitment she has shown over the last year. Grace is a credit to both herself, and the University of Worcester, and we’re incredibly proud to see her recognised in this way.
Peter Clews, Lecturer in Computing at the University of Worcester (pictured), said: “To hear of Grace’s shortlisting is fantastic. Throughout her course, Grace has shown herself to be hardworking, dedicated, and driven to excel. Being shortlisted is a testament of her character and is thoroughly deserved.”
He said Grace was putting the skills she had developed on the course to good use with CSA Cyber: “We use real-world case studies extensively to provide students with genuine skills needed in today’s environment. Data is such an important commodity, and knowing how to spot attacks on systems are such important and in demand skills.”
The University of Worcester has been named University of the Year for Graduate Jobs in the Daily Mail University Guide for 2027, with judges praising the University’s record for graduates securing high-skilled employment, describing a performance that ‘leaves many of the Russell Group in the shade.”
Peter said Grace is a vital role model for women and girls looking at a career in the world of cyber security.
“Women account for around 20% of the workforces in cyber roles and technology in general,” he said. “Having people like Grace to look up to is vital. It’s people like Grace who show the generation following her that women can thrive in rewarding careers in cyber and technology.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk