POV REIMAGINED:
WOMEN IN CYBERSECURITY
Unlocking a more resilient and secure future.
OF THE CYBERSECURITY FIELD GLOBALLY*
The shapeshifting landscape of cybersecurity presents a wealth of opportunities, demanding diverse perspectives to combat emerging threats. As the field anticipates a surge in demand for skilled professionals, projected to reach over 85 million by 2030, now is the perfect time to tap into an underrepresented talent pool: women.
By fostering a deeper understanding of the current landscape and dismantling barriers to entry, we can unlock the potential of women in cybersecurity. We must champion initiatives that attract, retain, and empower women, inspiring future generations to join this dynamic and vital field.
It’s crucial to create a future where cybersecurity thrives on inclusivity and diverse perspectives.
The Female Quotient and Deloitte joined forces on an in-depth survey investigating the state of women in cybersecurity.
To change the equation for women in cybersecurity, we’ve uncovered misconceptions, barriers, insights, and opportunities to disrupt the status quo.
Together, equipped with thought-provoking insights, context, and analysis in this report, we can identify the problems, take action, and close the cybersecurity gender gap.
Did you know cybersecurity is one of the most relevant global industries for women?
Our study reveals that the cybersecurity industry has everything women want in a career, from job security (57%) to opportunities to learn on the job (53%) to a sense of purpose (52%). Many women just don’t realize it (yet).
Why? There’s a disconnect between what women perceive cybersecurity jobs, lifestyle, and entry and growth opportunities to be, and the reality. General lack of awareness around cybersecurity careers may also contribute to the low representation of women in cybersecurity roles.
That’s why, we must raise the visibility and voices of women in the industry to catalyze change.
Women in cybersecurity agree that the industry can attract and retain more women in the field in several ways:
Change the conversation by highlighting unconventional career paths to cybersecurity, and dispelling antiquated concepts about technical roles being more legitimate compared to non-technical roles. If a candidate doesn’t possess technical skills, recruiters can highlight learning opportunities and encourage them to give a job a try.
Early exposure can spark interest and curiosity about the field, encouraging more women to pursue cybersecurity-related education and careers. This means exposing girls to cybersecurity concepts and opportunities starting in elementary school, through relevant programs and workshops.
Companies should show they prioritize diversity by making job descriptions more inclusive and not over-emphasize on technical skills when they’re not important. Companies can also support women by closing pay and promotion gaps, and giving equal opportunities to women. Informational interviews and job fairs are other effective ways to connect women of various backgrounds to the industry.
Launch internships, mentorship programs, grants, scholarships, or other targeted recruitment efforts. Companies can also offer reskilling opportunities to women who are interested in pivoting into cybersecurity, and create more entry level positions to increase access to jobs.
Girls and women can’t believe in what they can’t see. That’s why publicizing women's achievements in cybersecurity through media, conferences, industry events, and more are so important. Promoting more women to leadership positions will also help other women recognize that growth opportunities in cybersecurity exist.
This offers a powerful environment for women to connect with new opportunities, resources, mentors, and peers. Companies can create mentorship and community-building initiatives in the workplace to create a space for women to support one another on their career journeys.
There’s a misperception that working in cybersecurity means you have to always be working because cybersecurity attacks can happen anytime. Proactively describing a typical workday in the field to women to show that there’s work-life balance is critical, especially to non-cybersecurity professionals.
Reducing technical jargon and simplifying how cybersecurity is talked about or taught can make the industry more appealing for people without technical backgrounds.
Additionally, we must flip the narrative pigeon-holing women into functional roles and men to technical roles to show that all types of cybersecurity jobs are for everyone.
Our society is more digital than ever before, and young women in particular are growing up in a digital-first world. By framing cybersecurity as an integral part of digital transformation, people can better perceive cybersecurity as less abstract and more familiar, making it easier for women to envision themselves thriving in the field.
The field is broad. There are so many roles to choose from, that it’s important to create a supportive environment that encourages talent to shadow different teams to learn about the industry and career options, and upskill or reskill to stay on top of the ever evolving landscape. Also, equip employees who are new to cybersecurity with training to adapt to the nature of cybersecurity work and job expectations, while helping them discover their specialization within organizations.
That mixed feeling of excitement and vulnerability at a new job? We’ve all been there. For women just breaking into cyber, build up their confidence by emphasizing the valuable and positive impact of their work. Be their confidante and coach in carving out their space and asserting their strength to succeed.
Introduce women employees to people, resources, forums, and communities where they can build their own network. Encourage mentorship pairings, tapping into local cybersecurity communities and more to facilitate further growth.
There are incredible career opportunities and job security in the cybersecurity space. Emphasize the high demand for cybersecurity roles, growth trajectories, endless learning opportunities, and various ways to break into the industry. It’s not just a boy's club or exclusive industry for people with technical backgrounds.
Managing Director, Global Head of Cybersecurity Operations, Citi