I was recently invited to speak at an event in Italy (SheCyber: Bridging the Gender Gap).
In the panel I was part of, we discussed ways to hack the gender gap in cybersecurity.
Here are my key takeaways.
Women in Cybersecurity
Currently, women represent 22 to 25 percent of the cybersecurity workforce globally, up from 11 percent in 2013.
This is clearly an accelerating trend, but there is still much to be done.
There are 3.5 million job vacancies in cybersecurity worldwide, and this is basically an industry that knows no unemployment.
It would be a shame for women to pass up these opportunities just because of cultural misconceptions about themselves in relation to the industry and about cybersecurity in general.
Cybersecurity is a multidisciplinary field
Today, cybersecurity is a deeply multidisciplinary field that cannot certainly be considered only technical.
In addition to technical positions, there is a need for professionals in privacy, law, compliance, communications, governance, marketing, and more, creating a diverse environment.
Assuming women can safely take technical positions, which can be learned like any other profession, many professionals nowadays land in cybersecurity from unconventional paths which prove to be extraordinarily relevant.
Those who have studied law, for example, can work in privacy and compliance. Training in international relations is useful in cyber intelligence and related geopolitical subjects. Those who have studied communications or psychology can work in awareness or countering social engineering.
The Role of Communities
Precisely because of this multidisciplinary environment, which allows access to the sector even for those who do not feel they are properly "insiders", it is essential to count on support and guidance.
This is the role of communities, such as Women For Security, which brings together and supports hundreds of women in Italy who work—or want to work—in cybersecurity.Communities are very useful, primarily to show by example that working in cybersecurity is something that every woman can do and that a successful and satisfying career is possible. Seeing so many female professionals can certainly be inspirational, especially for young women who are considering their course of study and career path.
Mentoring and support in identifying the right training path to start a career in this field or undertake a career change can also be helpful.
Finally, especially for those who are new to the field, networking is key. Expanding the network of acquaintances helps create a safety and support net, which can be useful in case of difficulties or simply for comparison.
How to Hack the Gender Gap
The main cause of the gender gap is cultural, so the first solution is setting an example. It is important for us female professionals to be present and talk about our experiences to "normalize" the presence of women in cybersecurity.
Second, it is necessary to promote STEM pathways and activities in schools.
While there is often mention of ad hoc pathways for girls, I personally believe it is better to incorporate STEM subjects, particularly coding, AI and cybersecurity, into regular school activities.
This maximizes the likelihood that students of all genders will pursue these studies and careers in the future.
Finally, we need anti-gender inequality laws with no loopholes and family-supporting policies for both genders to make it clear that both can take care of family responsibilities.
To this day, salary disparity compared to male colleagues and work-family balance continue to be the most pressing issues for women in cybersecurity, so it is important to intervene concretely on these fronts.
