Addressing the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Gender Gap

Cybersecurity is a growing industry with more demand than ever for qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Despite the booming advancement of the industry, there is one area that has fallen behind. The gender gap in cybersecurity is quite severe, with women making up only a quarter (24%) of the workforce.

There are many reasons for the cybersecurity gender gap. Some of these are historical, such as the tech field and many cybersecurity programs being part of a male-dominated industry for many years.

However, some of these issues are rooted in modern-day policies that can be resolved fairly easily to increase the number of women in this important field.

Gender Demographics in Cybersecurity

Women are currently underrepresented in cybersecurity. Only 24% of the current cybersecurity workforce identifies as female, although this number is projected to increase to 35% by 2031.

53% of female cybersecurity professionals and 71% of minority females surveyed said they felt a glass ceiling kept them from advancing in their careers.

Not only would a more diverse workforce lead to increased innovation and fresh perspectives, but inclusive hiring practices would also help address the shortage of cybersecurity specialists.

76% of women in cybersecurity feel their organization should do more to encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The percentage of women in management positions doubled between 2017 and 2021, and 45% of organizations have implemented programs to help encourage diversity and inclusivity.

Hurdles for Women in Cybersecurity

Women in cybersecurity may face challenges due to unfair biases at different points in their cybersecurity careers.

Given the severe gender disparity in the workforce, it is possible that hiring practices may unconsciously discriminate against women.

The lack of diversity in the field can create a vicious cycle where under-represented groups become hesitant to enter these settings.

The majority of women experience a glass ceiling that limits their ability to progress and attain more desired roles in their organizations.

87% of women felt gender discrimination in the workplace was unconscious, meaning perpetrators may not be aware of the effect of their actions.

Gender Pay Gap

Globally, women are paid only 72% of what their male colleagues earn, signaling the need for fairer compensation practices in the industry.

The gender pay gap amounts to a $19,950 difference in annual pay for cybersecurity professionals with one to three years of experience.

More needs to be done to investigate the causes of the pay gap and ensure fair practices are in place.

Recruitment Bias

While employment laws prohibit explicit discrimination based on gender, the makeup of the field can still be influenced in more subtle ways.

Male candidates may be subconsciously judged by different standards and may align with interviewers' preconceived ideas about cybersecurity professionals.

Additionally, the lack of women in cybersecurity means that women are less likely to interact with other women in the recruitment and hiring process.

Lack of Role Models

Young people making career decisions are less likely to enter a field that they are not well represented in. Often, subtle stereotypes about the identity of cybersecurity professionals can deter people from entering the field.

62% of women felt that dedicated mentorship programs might be useful in creating a more diverse workforce. Women in cybersecurity play a key role in inspiring the next generation of females to pursue careers in cybersecurity.

How to Close the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity

With the demand for cybersecurity professionals growing by 350% in the last ten years, there is a great opportunity to level the gender gap in the cybersecurity industry.

Networking

One way to address the gender gap is through the creation of networking programs that connect cybersecurity students and young people with established professionals.

Having real-life examples and relationships with cybersecurity professionals can encourage young women to pursue careers in cybersecurity.

Representation

Closely connected to the lack of role models is the limited representation of women in cybersecurity in popular culture.

Increasing the portrayal of female cybersecurity professionals in movies, shows, and advertisements may have a delayed effect on the makeup of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Inclusive Recruitment

Inclusive recruitment practices also represent part of the gender gap solution in cybersecurity.

Organizations can implement diversity training for hiring staff and track the demographics of new hires to work towards a more diverse workplace.

Equal Pay

Ensuring that women are paid the same as their male counterparts is another important part of diversifying the field.

Organizations should make sure that men and women with equal experience and job roles are compensated equally, and also assess promotion and professional advancement policies to ensure that women are given equal opportunities.

Improving the Future of the Cybersecurity Gender Gap

While cybersecurity currently lacks diversity, there are signs that the future of the field may be more inclusive. Despite current hurdles, the future may be bright for women in cybersecurity.

Not only have a substantial number of organizations recently implemented diversity programs, but the rapidly growing need for cybersecurity specialists] presents a special opportunity to recruit more women into the field.