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The Importance of Women Having More Cybersecurity Job Opportunities
Chris Swagler | May 30th, 2023
According to experts in career research, women occupied 28% of computing and mathematical positions in 2022 and less than 20% of leadership roles in the technology industry. The terrible numbers are exacerbated in the cybersecurity sector. However, studies demonstrate that diversity in thoughts and opinions is underrepresented without women in cybersecurity, which can leave crucial gaps in addressing cybersecurity risks. The overall industry recommendation is to implement a multi-faceted plan ensuring more women in cybersecurity have access to job opportunities, and there are some quick and straightforward methods to get started. Here are some of the fundamental causes of the gender gap and why focusing on addressing it helps individuals, companies, and the industry.
Cybersecurity Companies Understaffed
COVID-19 and the Great Resignation in 2020 significantly impacted employment at numerous companies, exacerbating already-existing labor shortages in cybersecurity. To make matters worse, as the number and severity of cyberattacks increased, so did the demand for cybersecurity professionals. In 2021, there was a 14% growth in demand for cybersecurity employment, while the number of vacant cybersecurity jobs increased by 350% to 3.5 million, according to one cybersecurity company.
Women Underrepresented in Cybersecurity
A recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) poll found that 75% of cybersecurity workers are men. Even though the low percentage of women in STEM-related careers is the primary motivator, it’s exacerbated in cybersecurity due to the quicker rate of change. Certification requirements change quickly, projects are only available to those with the most updated knowledge backgrounds, and limited internship opportunities all contribute to a greater sense of uncertainty for those entering the cybersecurity industry, particularly women who self-reported a desire for more predictability in their career opportunities. According to the same BCG report, 47% of women polled claimed they were uninterested in a cybersecurity job.
Salary and Professional Advancement Disparities Between Men and Women
In March 2023, a Women In Tech story in CIO magazine featured research from Dice revealing that 75% of men feel their companies provide equal pay. However, only 42% of women in cybersecurity believe the same. Women in cybersecurity technology had higher levels of discontent than men, with compensation ranking as the top issue women cite as the source of their dissatisfaction. Another roadblock is advancement to senior positions. Some challenges raised included fewer opportunities to lead enterprise-level initiatives, gain exposure to senior leaders through large project presentations, and speak on behalf of companies at trade shows, conferences, and other group settings.
3 Ways to Giving Women in Cybersecurity More Opportunities
Solving the difficulties listed above won’t be easy. However, there are three ways companies can immediately start hiring more women in cybersecurity and keeping more women in the industry.
Increasing Awareness of Opportunities – Companies can invest resources in three areas to focus on women at all stages of their careers: raise awareness of educational and scholarship opportunities that help women in cybersecurity grow their knowledge, create internship and mentorship opportunities, and develop a roadmap of cybersecurity programs that offer them opportunities to lead. Use the three strategies in recruitment and for existing female employees to attract new talent and help them develop in their cybersecurity careers.
Increasing the Availability of Opportunities – When looking for new employees for the cybersecurity team, look for women who can grow into the role over time. Internships, mentorships, and project leadership roles should prioritize women in cybersecurity who can grow into the positions over time. Making a concerted effort to include women in the candidate pool is the quickest way to see results.
Increasing Internship and Mentorship Opportunities – Internships are a very successful approach to providing on-the-job training cost-effectively for people just starting in their professions. Mentors can assist new and experienced employees by providing expertise and direction in developing a relevant skill set and knowledge base. Groups, including the Women in Technology, can assist companies in providing internship and mentorship opportunities for female employees, which has the added benefit of generating company-wide goodwill.
With the growing cyberattacks on high-profile companies, it’s essential always to remain vigilant of the latest threat landscape, and women in cybersecurity are given every opportunity to make a difference in the industry. At SpearTip, our certified engineers work 24/7/365 at our Security Operations Center, continuously monitoring companies’ networks for potential cyberattacks. Our remediation team focuses on restoring companies’ operations, reclaiming their networks while isolating malware, and recovering business-critical assets. We examine companies’ security posture to improve the weak points in their networks and engage with their people, processes, and technologies to measure the maturity of their technical environments. Technical roadmaps are provided for all vulnerabilities ensuring companies have the awareness and support to optimize their overall cybersecurity posture. ShadowSpear Platform, our integrable managed detection and response tool, exposes sophisticated unknown and advanced threats with comprehensive insights through unparalleled data normalization and visualizations.
If your company is experiencing a breach, call our Security Operations Centers at 833.997.7327 to speak directly with an engineer.
How can organizations actively encourage and support more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity?
Encouraging and supporting more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity can be achieved through various initiatives. One approach could be establishing mentorship programs that connect aspiring women in cybersecurity with experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support. Additionally, organizations can actively promote diversity and inclusion by creating a welcoming and inclusive culture, implementing diverse hiring practices, and providing equal opportunities for professional growth and development.
Are there any specific challenges or barriers that women face in the cybersecurity industry that are not mentioned in the article?
Some potential challenges could include unconscious bias during the hiring process, lack of female role models or mentors in the field, potential isolation or alienation in male-dominated work environments, and stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing technical careers. These obstacles can hinder women's entry into the industry and their progression to leadership positions.
What steps can be taken to bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity leadership roles and ensure equal opportunities for women to advance their careers in this field?
To bridge the gender gap in cybersecurity leadership roles, organizations should focus on implementing strategies to provide equal opportunities for women. This could involve establishing leadership development programs specifically tailored to women in cybersecurity, offering sponsorship and advocacy programs to support their career advancement, and actively promoting diversity and inclusion in leadership recruitment and promotion processes. Additionally, organizations can collaborate with educational institutions and industry associations to create awareness and encourage young women to consider cybersecurity as a viable career path.
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