The Gender Dilemma in Cyber Security

According to a 2019 study from an ISC(2) report, women make up only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce. Unfortunately, this staggering statistic isn’t news to anyone. Cyber has had a gender problem for years now, but this figure has become especially problematic due to the severe skills deficit the industry is currently facing. As hackers become more sophisticated, the risk of cyber-attacks has grown exponentially, causing the demand for cyber-security experts to increase at an equivalent rate. 

The sad truth is that we saw this surge coming, but yet did very little to prepare. In 2018, Cybersecurity Ventures predicted that there would be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021. As we approach the end of 2021, that prediction has come true, and we are facing the consequences of this lack of preparation. 

These statistics tell a very important story about the opportunity. We as an industry have the opportunity to not only help fill these essential positions but fill them with women. It’s a win-win really. Decrease the gender gap by supporting and hiring women in stem while curing an industry that is bleeding for talent.

In order to make our digital world a safe and secure place for all, we must adopt more inclusive approaches to cybersecurity. A good start here is to hire talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Moreover, utilizing the talents and expertise that women in cyber bring can play a key role in developing more effective approaches for solving complex cyber security challenges. 

As a woman who has dedicated her career to the STEM field, and more specifically to cyber security and tech for good, I believe this ongoing issue is the most destructive downfall our field is facing. Why? Because, unlike some problems we encounter, there are tangible steps we (meaning everyone) can take to help close the gender gap.  Thus, I am dedicated to continuing the conversation around gender disparity in STEM industries in order to create the change that we desperately need.

In order to address this issue, it is important to understand why it is happening. The lack of women in cybersecurity is a result of a few things: 

Gender Bias:

The stereotype that men are better at managing such a technical subject (gender bias) has created a very masculine/ male perception of cyber security. Think about times you have seen a STEM/ cyber professional in the media. How are they depicted? Typically, they are illustrated as a loner male, maybe in a dark hoodie, who spends most of their time alone in the dark frantically typing on their keyboard. The media/ pop culture has also given the impression that cybersecurity jobs are all about hacking and dealing with data breaches. As someone who has many peers and close friends in this space, trust me, that is not the case. 

Lack of Awareness:

The general lack of awareness about the cyber profession and the opportunities, the opportunities it holds, and the lack of encouragement to take the career path is another factor contributing to the lack of women in the industry. According to a study done by Girls Who Code, 74% of middle school girls express interest in STEM subjects, but only 0.4% of high school girls are choosing to major in computer science. 

Shocking, right? Psychologists have attributed the disconnect that happens to girls and STEM between middle and high school to gender bias. Oftentimes, female abilities in math and science topics are downplayed compared to males. This can be a huge deterrent (not to mention extremely discouraging) for girls who were planning on entering STEM programs. Who would want to pursue a career that they “struggle” in? 

Lack of Encouragement:

On top of all of this, women who show interest in pursuing tech-related careers are met with a general lack of encouragement and enthusiasm. Some are pushed towards other subjects while others are given little information about potential career paths in this field. Especially in young women and girls, these conversations and touchpoints are extremely impactful to decision-making. And we must not take this responsibility lightly! It is imperative that our education systems support young women by showing them their potential in tech and cyber. It only takes one person to shine a light and help them realize they have a seat at the table, and that they can excel in this field. Be that person.

To conclude, we are obviously not where we want to be when it comes to defeating the gender dilemma in cyber. But yet, there is light at the end of our path to success. Creating real, tangible change to reduce the gender gap starts with all of us in the industry. By doing our part within our communities, we are laying the foundation and groundwork for a brighter future. 

Women in cyber rule! Now let’s go tell the world!