Cybersecurity needs women

It’s mixed. On the one hand, there’s a lot more awareness of the issue now. When I started WCS2, there were no women in cybersecurity organizations talking about barriers for women. Today there’s a plethora of organizations and support groups for women in the field. So, we started a real movement.

On the other hand, the data is disappointing. Globally, or even just here in North America, women still make up only 11% of the cyber workforce. But some reports say representation has doubled or tripled. Those numbers are inaccurate because the reports include women who work in positions like product management or human resources. The true cyber workforce is where people are working directly to protect system data. This is an important distinction because it’s in the cybersecurity workforce where the bias and barriers exist, and where women still only hold 11% of positions. Unfortunately, there are still people—even women!—using inaccurate data to show that we no longer need to bring more women into cybersecurity.

There’s our scholarship program, where we paid the full cost for 20 women to take Security+ training, which is recognized globally. We had mentors for the women all the way through, and they had access to learning platforms. Several who obtained their Security+ certification have gotten job promotions, new jobs, salary increases, or a new job title. Some are also renegotiating their salaries as a result of their certification.

We also have our FAST (Females Advancing in Security and Technology) Awards, for women in the early stages of their careers. One finalist started a WCS2 chapter in Gambia. Research has shown that in Canada, 50% of women drop out of IT careers in the first four years. We want to boost their confidence by recognizing their achievements, so they’ll continue in the industry.

If you’re sitting around a boardroom table with 10 men and ask them a question, you’re likely going to get similar answers. Women have different perspectives, which are so valuable, just as diversity is.

You improve the security of an organization when you have diverse mindsets. With new ways of thinking from women, you can add tremendous value to an organization, not to mention the cybersecurity industry as a whole.