Cyber leaders call for inclusivity in cybersecurity industry

In recognition of International Women in Cyber Day on 1 September, several leading voices in the cybersecurity industry have underscored the necessity of promoting inclusivity and addressing gender biases within the field.

They emphasise the importance of acknowledging the notable skills women bring to cybersecurity and the need for systemic change to ensure their success and advancement.

Lynn Dohm, Executive Director of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), highlighted the significant progress made in training and mentoring women within the cybersecurity sector. However, she noted that despite these strides, the proportion of women in this industry remains stagnant at an estimated 20% to 25%. Dohm stated, "Women bring outstanding skills and knowledge to cybersecurity, frequently outperforming their colleagues in all seven NICE categories and at all experience levels. Unfortunately, women experience a significant lack of advancement opportunities, and the exclusion rate is higher than in most industries."

She elaborated on the pressing need for creating inclusive environments that allow women to thrive and move up the ranks in cybersecurity roles. In particular, women often hit a professional plateau within six to ten years into their cybersecurity careers, despite excelling in various integral areas such as communications and network security, cyber workforce training and awareness, and leadership and management. Dohm urged the industry to harness International Women in Cyber Day to spotlight the challenges faced by women and to foster a more diverse and inclusive environment.

Echoing these sentiments, Nicole Sundin, Chief Product Officer at Axio, addressed the broader technology sector's responsibility towards gender equity, particularly regarding artificial intelligence (AI). Sundin pointed out, "AI has been a significant workforce accelerator and disruptor in the last couple years. However, there are serious gender and racial inequalities present in these technologies." She urged women in tech and cybersecurity to question the training models of AI systems and scrutinise whether these tools disproportionately impact women’s jobs over men’s. Sundin also called attention to the persistent gender pay gap, stressing the need for transparency and advocacy within organisations.

Sundin further highlighted the crucial role of mentorship in achieving gender parity in leadership. She stated, "Women in leadership have an obligation to mentor other women, guide and listen to problems, and help elevate them in the workforce." She also encouraged women to assert their contributions and ensure they receive due credit in collaborative settings.

Isabel Castillo, Cloud Security Analyst at Lastwall, discussed her approach to overcoming gender biases in the cybersecurity landscape. Castillo emphasised the importance of concentrating on skills and knowledge rather than gender, stating, "What's crucial, though, is visibility and representation in the industry. The underrepresentation of women in tech-related fields sends a subtle yet powerful message about who belongs in these roles."

Castillo called for the active celebration of women's achievements in cybersecurity to change the prevailing narrative and encourage diverse participation. She posited that shifting these perceptions benefits not only young aspiring women but also young men, fostering an environment where all are encouraged to pursue tech careers. According to Castillo, "The future of cybersecurity depends on diverse perspectives, and this begins with changing the narrative around who can excel in this field."

Collectively, these leaders’ insights underscore a shared vision for a more inclusive cybersecurity industry. They stress the critical need for systemic changes to support and advance women in cybersecurity roles, which in turn will enrich the field with a multitude of perspectives and innovative solutions.