Gender inequality is a major issue in cybersecurity, preventing women from starting and even advancing in the field.
That's according to a new study by nonprofit Women in Cybersecurity and DEI company Aleria, which collected data from more than 1,000 employees across 20 organizations. According to their findings, women working in cybersecurity were twice as likely to face exclusion than male employees. Additionally, women in the cybersecurity profession were five times more likely than their male counterparts to say that interference from managers and co-workers was the cause of career dissatisfaction and poor job performance.
According to data from Gitnux, an independent market research platform, women currently make up just 24% of cybersecurity workers. Aside from the gender gap, there is very little diversity in this industry. Only 9% of cybersecurity workers are Black, 8% are Asian, and 4% are Latinx.
According to a recent study, the most significant issue experienced by women in the cybersecurity industry was a “lack of respect,” including from their immediate supervisors. Sexual impropriety, social exclusion, lack of recognition, and demands for menial tasks were also consistent problems faced by women.
Another recent report by software company Skillsoft found that 35% of women in the technology industry cited a lack of equity in opportunities and 38% reported a lack of equity in pay. In 2021, SC Magazine found that the average North American woman working in cybersecurity earned $22,046 less than a man working in the same industry.
These negative experiences may be the reason that approximately 37% of women working in the technology industry are considering leaving their company within the next year.
This is of course a problem, as women in science and technology have contributed to monumental discoveries throughout history. Several Black women, including Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson (featured in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures”), researched and analyzed complex data for NASA, and were It played an important role in the space race. And in 2011, a group of female analysts known as the Sisterhood helped the CIA track down and kill one of America's greatest terrorists, Osama bin Laden.
Research consistently shows that having more women in the workplace benefits everyone, not just women. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that increasing the representation of women in the workplace increases job satisfaction, increases commitment to the organization, leads to more meaningful work, and lowers levels of burnout among people of all genders. has been shown to decrease.
Despite the current hurdles for women in cybersecurity, the percentage of women in the industry is expected to rise, jumping from about 25% in 2022 to 35% in 2031, according to Gitnux data. It is expected.
Experts say companies and the cybersecurity industry can do more, including by addressing diversity and establishing mentoring programs. And women in cybersecurity can overcome barriers by seeking mentorship and collaboration from both men and women, building strong personal brands, and continuing their education and earning certifications.
