The cybersecurity space, much like many other industries, has historically been dominated by men, and although a great deal of change has taken place in tech more generally, there’s still significant gender disparity in the industry.
According to a 2023 study conducted by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (commonly referred to as ISC2), women make up only 24% of the global cybersecurity workforce. While this number is very low, it has been rising year on year.
Indeed, the perception of technology-related roles and careers as being “male-oriented” is a persistent theme that has existed since the very inception of technology itself, leading women to feel unwanted and unwelcome in the industry. And, although more and more women are finding ways to break into cybersecurity, gender bias still plays a role in the workplace.
Challenges for Women in Cybersecurity
Thus, it’s no surprise that women face a great deal more challenges in cybersecurity than their male counterparts.
Some of the difficulties female professionals face in cybersecurity today include:
- Stereotypes and Gender Bias: Women in cybersecurity often report dealing with gender bias in the workplace and industry more generally, especially in terms of being underestimated or not being taken seriously. This can make it difficult for women to progress and receive recognition for their expertise.
- Underrepresentation: Even though the situation is improving, women are still severely underrepresented in the global cybersecurity workforce. This is especially true with regard to leadership and technical roles.
- Lack of Role Models: A significant challenge young women face is that there’s a shortage of visible female role models in the field, making it tough for girls to envision a future in the industry.
- Work-Life Balance: While both men and women have families and responsibilities at home, women still tend to bear a greater share of family responsibilities, making it more difficult to maintain a work-life balance and prioritise important work issues in times of crisis.
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Opportunities for Women In Cybersecurity
Although women in cybersecurity face significant challenges, all is not lost. Not only is the industry moving in the right direction (according to statistics), but there are also several specific opportunities available to females looking to succeed in cybersecurity.
- Diversity Initiatives: Plenty of initiatives around the world of been launched in an attempt to support women in cybersecurity, including ISACA’S SheLeadsTech, Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and Girls Who Code. These programmes are excellent in that they offer girls and women mentorship, education and networking opportunities.
- Increasing Demand for Female Talent: While women are underrepresented in the industry, there is a growing understanding of the need to help females progress, thus leading to an increased offering of opportunities for women entering the field. Indeed, many companies are intentionally focusing on diversity as part of their hiring strategies, recognising that diverse teams produce better results and lead to better problem-solving and innovation.
- Career Growth and Leadership: Underrepresentation also means that as companies become more understanding of gender inequality, more and more leadership positions open up for women to fill.
- Combination of Soft and Hard Skills: While women’s “hard” (technical) skills have often been overlooked in the past, females have frequently been revered for their “soft” skills, including collaboration, communication and problem-solving. As times are changing, more and more organisations are able to recognise the value of women in what they can offer on both fronts.
Indeed, as the times are changing, an increasing number of opportunities are becoming available to women in cybersecurity and several women in the industry are proving what females have the potential to do.
Women Leading the Charge in Cybersecurity
Plenty of women have achieved great success in cybersecurity in recent years, and there are a few we’d like to highlight for their excellent work and resilience in the cybersecurity industry.
Laura Nielsen: Managing Director at Ankura
Laura Nielson, based in Nashville in the USA, is a Senior Managing Director at Ankura with more than 20 years of experience in dealing with complex data management and analysis across a variety of industries. Her work extends into conducting detailed cybersecurity investigations and data mining analysis.
In addition to her tremendous experience, she’s also provided expert testimony in depositions regarding the leaking of private information, showing not only her expertise in the field but the respect she’s earned within the industry.
Carolyn Labatt: CEO at Computer Solutions
Carolyn Labatt has been the CEO of Computer Solutions since 1984, and under her leadership, the company has become a technology powerhouse. With great ambition vision even as a young lady, Labatt has not only existed but thrived in the male-dominated cybersecurity industry for three decades.
In addition to her role as CEO at Computer Solutions, Carolyn serves as the director on several different boards, including Broadway Bank and Texas Biomedical Research Institute. She’s also been recognised for her role in the industry over the years, having received an award for “Outstanding Small Business Leader in San Antonio” by the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.
Jane Frankland: Founder of Cyber Security Capital and IN Security Movement
Jane Frankland is a professional who wears many hats – entrepreneur, mother, author, speaker and more – and has more than 20 years of experience in cybersecurity under her belt. Having been named a “UNESCO Trailblazing Woman in Tech”, Frankland has certainly made her mark as an expert and leader in the industry.
On top of her technical expertise, Jane has made it her mission to advocate for women in cybersecurity and tech, aiming to make gender equality and female involvement the norm rather than the exception.
Alicia Lowery Rosenbaum: Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Cybersecurity Technology and Trust at Salesforce
Alica Lowery Rosenbaum currently holds the position of Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Cybersecurity Technology and Trust at Salesforce, one of the leading companies in the industry worldwide. Rosenbaum is the leader of a large, important team that provides top-notch security to its customers, and as such, she’s become a trusted advisor in the world of cybersecurity, data security and risk management.
Before taking on this role at Salesforce, Alicia served as a senior employee working with large-scale technical sales and deployments for multinational and governmental customers of Microsft.
With an impressive title and general experience in cybersecurity, Alicia has made waves in the industry both as a woman and overall as a professional and expert.
