After the annual International Women In Cyber Day on 1 September, something was brought to light… Cybersecurity jobs have grown faster than any other IT field in the UK. Numbers from managed detection and response company Socura show that the number of workers more than doubled from 28,500 in 2021 to 65,000 in 2024. But women are falling behind. In 2021, they made up 24% of the workforce. In 2024, the share went all the way down to 17%.
Socura based its findings on Office for National Statistics survey data. It found there is only one cybersecurity professional for every 86 businesses across the country. At the same time, ISC2 counted 349,000 cyber workers in the UK but reported a shortfall of over 93,000.
The fall in representation for women is something that can be seen in other tech fields as well. Kathryn Jones from Cardiff University said that fewer women take computer science and software engineering courses, which in turn reduces their entry into technical roles.
What Support Networks Exist?
Women in CyberSecurity, also known as WiCyS, is one of the groups working to change the picture. It runs mentoring programmes, career fairs and virtual and in-person events. Its mission is to recruit, retain and advance women in cybersecurity. It also provides members with a community portal, interest groups and a job board.
PGI runs another initiative, the Women in Cyber Programme, backed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The 12-week training and mentoring course guarantees candidates a job before they even begin. PGI says participants, many of whom already have work experience, gain accredited skills that help them join operational teams quickly.
The programme is designed to reduce the costs often linked to training and staff turnover, while also closing knowledge gaps for employers. PGI positions it as a way for businesses to bring in skilled workers who can contribute straight away.
What Innovations Are Women In Cyber Bringing?
As much as reports show that they are falling behind, women are still innovating and doing amazing things. Experts have shared some interesting innovations by women in cyber…
Magdalena Karwat, Head of Product Marketing, EclecticIQ
“Women have been behind some of the most transformative innovations in cybersecurity. Katie Moussouris, while at Microsoft, launched the company’s first bug bounty program which has since become a cornerstone of modern vulnerability intelligence and cyber threat defense. At NIST, Elham Tabassi has led pioneering work on biometric evaluation standards and the U.S. AI Risk Management Framework, shaping how organisations worldwide assess and mitigate risks in AI systems.
“Inioluwa Deborah Raji has been instrumental in developing algorithmic auditing practices that expose bias and vulnerabilities in AI systems, work that overlaps with adversarial machine learning and is increasingly vital to cyber threat intelligence. These contributions, alongside many others, show how women are not only advancing cybersecurity technologies but also redefining the way we think about threat intelligence, resilience and trust.”
Ruth Healey, President, Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland
“Today, as we reflect on Women in Cyber Day, Soroptimists celebrate the remarkable contributions of women in cybersecurity and the pioneering innovations that have shaped the industry – starting with the fact that the world’s first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, was a woman.
“Despite this legacy, cybersecurity remains a largely male-dominated industry, with women making up fewer than a quarter of professionals globally, according to ISC2. This imbalance not only stifles diversity but also weakens innovation and long-term resilience.
“Having said this, women are playing an integral part in helping to pioneer innovative encryption methods as well as leading advances in AI-driven threat detection. Women continue to bring essential, nuanced perspectives to the cyber field and, this International Women in Cyber Day, we want to shine a light on all these spectacular achievements.”
Caz Brett, Senior Director of Product, Smartsheet
“As AI continues to evolve, the stakes around data protection and transparency are rising. It’s vital that security solutions keep pace, not just in terms of strength, but in how accessible and user-friendly they are. Everyone should feel confident navigating security tools, and that starts with thoughtful design.
“I’m especially proud of how we’ve developed governance and audit tools that help teams stay in control of their data without needing to be cybersecurity experts. These features give users a clear view of what’s happening across their systems, make it easier to spot issues, and support confident decision-making around security and compliance.
“We’re continuing to build on this vision by expanding our auditing capabilities to simplify tracking and accountability and preparing to launch new even-more-secure login features that reinforce trust without adding friction. These innovations reflect a broader movement in cybersecurity: one that values empathy, clarity, and collaboration as much as technical excellence. It’s inspiring to see women leading this charge, shaping a future where security is something everyone can engage with and benefit from.”
Jude McCorry, CEO, Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland
“When we talk about innovation in cyber, led by women, it’s easy to focus on the latest tools and technologies and the big-name trailblazers from large corporates. But to name specific people and leave others would be unfair, especially because there are thousands of experts making a difference each day and each year.
“What I can say is that today, the women on the ground, making change happen and the women that sit behind the scenes are the people we should be applauding for driving true innovation.
“My own colleagues Katie O’Neill and Kerry Manton are innovating and making great strides in this industry by upskilling workforces and launching campaigns that bring more females into the sector.
“Soon, our See It, Be It campaign, will showcase inspiring women in cyber who will be encouraging more schoolgirls and more early-career women to step into this field boldly, with confidence and conviction.
“What we need to be saying to all the women in the cyber sector is to be more visible – be the role model that your younger self can look up to. Young women that are thinking of cyber as a career option are equally capable of performing complex tasks as our male counterparts.
“We’ve seen and are continuing to see startups led by women which are driving cyber innovation, from education initiatives to developing AI-driven security tools and their work is proof that diverse leadership fuels creative solutions.
“Looking ahead, the next wave of cyber innovation will be led by a more diverse workforce, and our responsibility as an industry is to make sure young women see a place for themselves in that future. And especially a workplace that creates opportunities for remote work and flexible time off.
“Innovation in cyber isn’t just about the names and technologies, it’s about building a sector where everyone can see themselves contributing to the future.”
