While cybersecurity may be one of the most innovative industries in tech, it still suffers from a serious gender diversity problem.
And it’s not just an image issue. As the International Consortium of Cybersecurity Professionals notes, women make up a mere 24% of IT security professionals in the US despite representing 51 per cent of the population.
International Women in Cyber Day (IWCD) is a five-year global movement to celebrate the achievements of women and bring awareness to the issues they face within the cybersecurity industry.
This annual event, held on the 1st of September, aims to inspire more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity and to highlight the critical contributions they make to protecting our digital world.
As our reliance on technology grows, so does the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Yet, women remain underrepresented in this field.
Celebrating International Women in Cyber Day raises awareness of the gender gap and encourages more women to join the ranks of cybersecurity experts.
The Importance of Women in Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity landscape is complex and ever-changing. To effectively combat emerging threats, a diverse workforce is essential. Women bring a fresh perspective and valuable skill set to the table. Their ability to think critically, analyze data, and collaborate effectively is invaluable in addressing the challenges posed by cybercrime.
“Celebrating women in cyber is an important way to recognize the invaluable contributions women make to the cybersecurity industry,” said Lynn Dohm, Executive Director of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women in cybersecurity.
“We’ve made tremendous progress in training and mentoring women in cybersecurity. Now, the industry must work to create inclusive environments that enable women to succeed and advance in cybersecurity roles.”
“Women bring outstanding skills and knowledge to cybersecurity, frequently outperforming their colleagues in all seven NICE categories and at all experience levels,” added Dohm.
Studies have shown that organizations with greater gender diversity in their cybersecurity teams are better equipped to detect and respond to security breaches.
Women often approach problems from different angles, leading to innovative solutions and enhanced security posture, and their presence in the field helps to break down stereotypes and encourage more girls and young women to consider careers in technology.
“Throughout my cybersecurity career, I've learned that focusing on skills and knowledge is far more impactful than focusing on gender,” said Isabel Castillo, Cloud Security Analyst at Lastwall,
“My approach has always been to deepen my expertise, ensuring my work speaks for itself. What’s crucial, though, is visibility and representation in the industry.”
Challenges Faced by Women in Cybersecurity
Despite the growing recognition of the importance of women in cybersecurity, they continue to face significant challenges.
Stereotypes and biases can hinder their career progression and limit their opportunities, and addressing these gender barriers is crucial to creating a more equitable and inclusive cybersecurity ecosystem.
“Unfortunately, it is estimated that the number of women in cyber is in the range of just 20% to 25%, a percentage that hasn’t changed in years,” Dohm continued.
“Even more concerning, women experience a significant lack of advancement opportunities, and the exclusion rate is higher than in most industries.”
One of the primary challenges faced by women in cybersecurity is the lack of role models and mentors. Seeing successful and influential women in cybersecurity can inspire younger generations and provide guidance on navigating potential obstacles, but there simply are;’t enough women in the space for this to be possible.
This leads to the perception that cybersecurity is a male-dominated profession, which can discourage women from pursuing careers in the field, even if they have the necessary qualifications and interests.
“Women mentoring women is one of the best ways to help equalize leadership in the workplace,” said Nicole Sundin, CPO at Axio.
“Women in leadership have an obligation to mentor other women, guide and listen to problems, and help elevate them in the workforce.”
“As a leader in your organization, you must ask for transparency around this issue, advocate for others, and hold management accountable.”
Empowering women in cybersecurity
International Women in Cyber Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women in cybersecurity and inspire the next generation of female professionals.
By recognizing their contributions and highlighting their success stories, we can encourage “more young women to explore careers in this exciting and rewarding field.
“International Women in Cyber Day is an opportunity to call attention to the many skills women bring to the table, acknowledge the issues they face, and identify ways the industry can become more inclusive,” continued Dohm.
“To effectively guide women on their cybersecurity journey, we must focus on building connections, sharing knowledge, and learning from experienced professionals already in the field to make a significant impact in this industry.”
“We all succeed by having allies who actively disrupt the status quo and advocate for diverse talent in the field.”
Castillo added: “The underrepresentation of women in tech-related fields sends a subtle yet powerful message about who belongs in these roles,”
“To challenge this, the industry must actively highlight and celebrate the achievements of women in cybersecurity. This effort isn't just for the benefit of young girls; it's equally important for boys to see women thriving in these spaces.”
“By doing so, we can shift perceptions and foster an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, is encouraged and supported to pursue careers in tech. The future of cybersecurity depends on diverse perspectives, and this begins with changing the narrative around who can excel in this field.”
