The cyber security workforce is growing, but not at pace with demand. And while there is an urgent need for more experienced talent and a push for greater diversity, particularly gender diversity, the industry isn’t doing enough to attract and hire more women. One recent Frost & Sullivan report sponsored by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 and Booz Allen, noted that although there was an increase of women in cybersecurity, they only made up 10 percent of the workforce. The number of women in this sector has not grown in proportion with the industry as a whole.
Lack of Awareness
There’s no doubt that in an age of mounting threats and increasing vulnerabilities with the arrival of IoT and a totally connected world, security will only continue on its high-growth trajectory. Why then are so few women entering the field? In a survey by Raytheon-NCSA, 66 percent of women reported never having had a teacher or career counsellor mention the field of high tech to them, never mind security. No surprise then that few young women leaving high school are even aware of the programs available, let alone the great demand for tech talent. Taken as a whole, and in the U.S. alone, only 23 percent of young women will consider a career in high tech compared to 40 percent of young men. There’s clearly an imbalance here that the industry needs to correct.
Perception
One of the recurring themes in the area of women in the workforce is a uniquely strong trait that lines up perfectly with a career in cyber security. When asked in multiple studies what they wanted to get out of their jobs, women indicated a near unanimous desire to do good and to help people. Anyone who has spent any time in the security business knows that it’s much less about macho, ‘tough guy’ ideals than it is about helping people avoid becoming victims and untangling them from the mess of an attack. From ID Theft to Phishing, Spear Phishing to Ransomware, Viruses and plain old social engineering, the Internet is rife with threats. Woman play a central role in guiding users toward safer habits, best practices to help prevent breaches and make the internet a safer place for everyone.
Attract, Engage and Retain
Career decisions are sometimes made as young as primary school. Although, there are many high visibility organizations like Women Who Code helping woman pave the path to a career in high technology, more needs to be done. Elementary and high schools are a great place to use the important themes of cybersecurity to discuss the merits of the profession, promote mentorships directed at women, and raise industry visibility.
Supporting Programs, Events and Groups
Numerous programs, events and groups are available that are cybersecurity-focused. Trying to address the shortage of women, the SysAdmin, Audit, Networking, Security (SANS) Institute has created a fast-track career program called ‘CyberTalent Women’s Immersion Academy’. Upon successful completion of this program, they guarantee a job with the sponsored employer.
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) brings professionals, students and researchers together to network and mentor. Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC) offers support for the advancement of cyber technology through education, networking and sharing resources. These are just a few among the many available resources to support women in cybersecurity. Many of these resources offer conferences and events targeting women and the uniqueness that they bring to the profession and the challenges they may face.
Summary
It has been recognized that with so few women pursuing careers in cybersecurity, the time has come to create more awareness of the profession. As a result, the gender gap continues to grow and the current demand for cyber technology practitioners exceeds the supply.
With the consistent and numerous breaches of online security, there is an increasing demand for a well-trained cybersecurity workforce. It is an opportunity to help people and make the Internet a safer place.
Cybersecurity groups are working together to help bring awareness to fill this need. However, better collaboration between the private sector and educational institutions are required to support the awareness of this profession to both gender groups.
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