In 2021, women represented about 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. With over 2.5 million-plus cybersecurity job openings, women can help fill them, writes Vasu Jakkal, vice president of security, compliance, identity, and management at Microsoft in a blog post.
With millions of job openings for cybersecurity, it’s putting a strain on security teams everywhere— and of every size. Organizations need to expand its hiring and mentorship of underrepresented groups who can bring so much the table.
Why hire women for cybersecurity roles
Organizations must encourage and nurture careers of women in cybersecurity because “cyber adversaries come from diverse backgrounds, which means that the defender community must be equally diverse in order to understand and succeed against them overtime,” writes Jakkal.
Diversity is good for business, too. Gender diverse teams make better business decisions 73% of the time, according to a study by CloverPop.
Every organization needs innovation. Innovation brings together new perspectives, ideas and experiences to help solve challenges. Cybersecurity depends on it because cybercrime tactics keep evolving. MIT Technology Review refers to cybersecurity versus cybercrime an “innovation war.”
Why women aren’t represented in the industry
A Microsoft study on women in cybersecurity revealed that 44% believe they’re sufficiently represented in the industry. A lack of representation can reinforce the gender gap by dissuading women from entering cybersecurity. More women than men (54% versus 45%) say there is a gender bias in the industry that results in unequal pay and support.
Cybersecurity isn’t a traditional career choice for women. Respondents from the survey indicated “there are fewer women interested in high tech,” and “women get bored with computers because they are better caregivers,” said another respondent.
Women are most likely than men (71% versus 61%) to think that cybersecurity is too complex of a career. Men are more likely than women (21% versus 10%) to feel qualified to apply for a cybersecurity job posting. More women than men (27% versus 21%) believe men are seen as a better fit for technology fields.
This must change. A contributing factor in all of this, is that women typically have fewer role models, parents, mentors, or peers who can spark their interest in the profession.
Gender bias starts early, argues Jakkal. More than one in four (28%) believe that parents are more likely to steer their sons to technology and cybersecurity fields than their daughters. The women Microsoft surveyed are more likely than men (31% versus 26%) to believe this.
Jakkal writes that she has doubted herself and struggled with imposter syndrome— a challenge for many other women, but eventually over time, “we find our voice and learn to speak up.”
To encourage more women to purse a career in cybersecurity and help fill more roles, Microsoft is partnering with several programs. Some of these programs include Girl Security, CyberStart America, Cybersecurity Converge Tour, Women in Cybersecurity, Microsoft Women in Security and many more.
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