Despite women still representing a minority in the cybersecurity profession, there has been an increase in diversity within the younger workforce, according to research by nonprofit member organisation for cybersecurity professionals, ISC2.
The average representation of women on cybersecurity teams standing at 23 percent. Among respondents in the ‘under 30’ age category, 26 percent identified as women, while only 13 percent of respondents in the ‘65 or older’ age category were women, said the Women in Cybersecurity report.
The research reveals that a higher proportion of women acknowledge the importance of diversity on their security team than men (76 percent vs. 63 percent respectively), and 78 percent of women feel that an inclusive environment is essential for their team’s success. Yet, 11 percent of the workforce study participants said they had no women on their security teams and 21 percent of men did not know the proportion of women on their security team compared to 13 percent of women.
More needs to be done
“It’s great to see incremental progress of younger women entering cybersecurity, however, it’s not enough and more needs to be done. We must continue to build a culture for all women that creates a sense of belonging that results in the retention of women in cybersecurity careers,” said ISC2 CEO Clar Rosso.
“Research reveals that the most engaged women in cybersecurity work at organizations that invest time and resources into diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives such as offering competitive pay, hosting mentorship programs and establishing an inclusive culture that fosters professional development opportunities.”
Additional findings include:
- Cloud Services, Automotive, and Construction are the industries with the highest percentage (28 percent) of women on security teams, while Military and Utilities had the lowest (20 percent).
- Women have an average salary of $109,609 compared to $115,003 for men – a difference of $5,400.
- 36 percent of women felt that they could not be authentic at work, compared to 29 percent of men.
- South Asian (48 percent), Black or African descent (43 percent) and Hispanic or Latinx (42 percent) women were most likely to report feeling like they can’t be their authentic self at work.
- 29 percent of women reported feeling discriminated against in the workplace compared to 19 percent of men.
- Women of Black or African descent in Canada/United Kingdom/Ireland reported the highest levels of discrimination, with 53 percent feeling discriminated against.
- 69 percent of women respondents said DEI will continue to become more important for their security teams over the next five years (compared to 55 percent of men).
- 66 percent of women say diversity has contributed to their security team’s success and 78 percent of women believe an inclusive environment is essential for the team’s success.
- Women reported lower cybersecurity staffing shortages at their organizations than male participants (62 percent vs. 68 percent), with their organizations sourcing talent from other departments, implementing job rotations, and hiring those without cyber experience at higher rates.
- Women reported higher rates of pursuing cybersecurity in school (14 percent), compared with men (10 percent).
- Women want to work in a constantly evolving field (21 percent) and one where they can help people and society (16 percent) at higher rates than men (18 percent and 14 percent, respectively).
By 2025, separate research predicts that women will represent 30 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce, increasing to 35 percent by 2031.
