5 Reasons Why We Need Women in Cybersecurity

Studies from the last few years have shown that women make up less than 15% of the United States cybersecurity field and the higher you go up the corporate ladder, the smaller the percentage gets.

The industry is at a severe disadvantage as perspectives go unheard because women are being discouraged from getting the education they need to work in influential positions in digital security.

From addressing how industry stereotypes have led cybersecurity to be a male-dominated field to discussing the advantages of creating tech teams with more women.

Why We Need Women in Cybersecurity

Here are five reasons why we need women in cybersecurity and how they can begin working in the technology sector today.

1. Diverse Perspectives in Cybersecurity

Many online cybersecurity programs emphasize the need to understand the minds and motivations of a hacker in order to thwart them.

By including women in cybersecurity teams, defenders can get a better understanding of the threats they're facing and how to deal with them through the unique perspectives that women provide.

2. Improved and Enhanced Team Dynamic

Gender-diverse teams allow for better collaboration, creativity, and decision-making.

Women in cybersecurity can help create a more inclusive and dynamic work environment that promotes innovation and efficiency.

3. Ability to Address the Skills Gap

By including more women in cybersecurity roles, a new set of skills becomes available. Strong communication and critical thinking play an important part in the tech industry.

Combining the skills of both men and women, enhances the overall capabilities and strength of the cybersecurity field.

4. Innovative Problem Solving in Cybersecurity

Problem-solving is vital to cybersecurity. Women are able to work effectively in a team and approach challenges in innovative ways brings a different angle to a team of cybersecurity specialists.

5. Role Models to Other Women

Women in cybersecurity serve as role models to future generations. Female representation in this male-dominated field can encourage more women to pursue cybersecurity careers.

The Current State of Cybersecurity

To fully understand the benefits of women in cybersecurity and how they can improve the field, we need to talk about the current state of the industry and how it got that way.

What Makes Cybersecurity a Male-Dominated Field?

Cybersecurity is a male-dominated field primarily. Like most of the technology industry, it is still considered by many to be highly technical and advanced, requiring specialized education and skill to enter.

Women are often seen as having people-oriented careers, discouraging them from doing things like learning how to use computers in a business capacity or participating in online cybersecurity programs.

Over the years, this has led to cybersecurity being an almost entirely male-populated field and now women are struggling to break through the barrier of the old stereotypes the industry was built on.

The Advantages of Having Women Work in Cybersecurity

The more perspectives and ideas there are in cybersecurity, the better the chance we have of successfully defending our virtual data and computer systems - which is why we need women in cybersecurity.

A woman's tendency to be a team player and consider problems from all angles before tackling them can help temper the tendency of male-dominated teams to take action first and ask why and how later.

Why Are Women Struggling to Enter the Field Now?

Stereotypes have continued to hold women back from the cybersecurity field is that young women are kept very ignorant of the technology industry as a whole.

With no female role models in the field, fewer support systems, and a lack of exposure to opportunity in the industry, women are still struggling to get an education and begin cybersecurity careers.

The good news is that this is changing rapidly as companies and learning institutions make an effort to welcome women to the field.

Encouraging Female Participation in Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been encouraging and advocating for more women in security roles.

With scholarships and support from organizations like CISA, more women are able to get the education, courses, and networking opportunities they need to join the workforce in cybersecurity roles.

So with the path opening for them, how can women take advantage of this help and start working in cybersecurity?

How Women Can Start Working in Cybersecurity

The key to securing a place for women in cybersecurity lies in education - with the proper training, anyone can fill the millions of roles currently left empty in the cybersecurity industry.

Women interested in working in tech and cybersecurity should start by getting a degree from an online cybersecurity program.

Doing so will allow them to make connections, complete professional certifications, and participate in internships.

This way, they'll have the education, experience, and network they need to be successful in cybersecurity positions. From there, women can begin making the improvements the industry needs to grow and prosper.

Learn How to Join the Cybersecurity Field Through Higher Education Today

There are several reasons why we need women in cybersecurity and how they can help improve the field.

It's time for women to begin their cybersecurity journey with the help of online cybersecurity programs. Start learning today to create a better IT future for women around the world.