Cybersecurity, a man’s world? Expert urges women to take up space

What image comes to mind when you think of an IT expert? Be honest, you’ve probably pictured a man with glasses trying to hack into a system.

The global cybersecurity space is still male-dominated despite growing skills shortages amid the surge in cyber threats.

Stereotypes, discrimination and gender gaps remain a challenge for women within the cyber space, with 83% having experienced exclusion at a point in their career.

Gender biases

Fortinet Channel Manager for South Africa, Julie Noizeux Inder said the cybersecurity industry needed female applicants more than ever due to soaring demand for solutions and services.

ISC2’s 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study revealed that 3.4 million more skilled cybersecurity professionals were needed globally.

“Yet, unconscious gender biases have resulted in women either being excluded or choosing not to enter the industry at all,” Inder noted.

Despite having seen more young women entering the industry in recent years, Inder said there was still a huge gender imbalance.

Citing ISC2’s Women in Cybersecurity Workforce report, Inder said women working in the cybersecurity space accounted for nearly one quarter of the overall workforce globally.

“Even in the under-30 group, women represent only 26% of the cybersecurity workforce,” she noted.

ALSO READ: How the ‘get to know me’ social media challenge could end in tears

Disrespect and exclusion

While gender pay gaps are closing, many female cybersecurity professionals still believe they earn less than their male counterparts, according to the latest ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study.

Meanwhile, Women in Cybersecurity’s State of Inclusion of Women in Cybersecurity report revealed that most women in the field often feel disrespected, excluded and unable to get ahead.

Echoing, Inder said women working in the IT and cybersecurity sectors encounter occasional disrespect or exclusion.

“For example, in a meeting, men and women alike may assume you are attending to take the minutes, or in a marketing capacity. Many people just take for granted that women don’t work in a technical capacity.

“In recruitment drives, those interviewing candidates may show unconscious bias too.

“You need to be conscious of a tendency to choose people similar to you in terms of gender and interest, and make an effort to build more diverse teams.”

Power in diversity

Inder believes that women bring “much-needed” softer skills such as collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving to the mix.

“Women are just as capable technically, plus they may also bring different ways of thinking and new dynamics to the team,” she said.

Inder also said there were more roles in cybersecurity than just technical positions.

“There are roles such as sales, marketing and channel managers. Female professionals might enter the sector bringing their experience in one of these areas and go on to develop technical skills in their new role,” she explained.

ALSO READ: Hackers out to get you? Here’s 5 tips to stay ahead

Challenging beliefs

Inder who grew up with parents and relatives who worked in the IT space, said she initially believed it was a man’s world.

“I was in my mid 20s when I realised there was an opportunity for me in IT. I think many women in my generation thought the same, and it’s only really in the last 10 to 15 years that things started changing,” she noted.

The cybersecurity expert believes that the gender gap within the sector could stem from early education.

“I think all children are equally exposed to digital technology, but there is likely economic inequality that means some children have less access than others,” said Inder.

“The belief that cybersecurity is a man’s world must be challenged and changed from an early age,” she added.

ALSO READ: Gloria Tapon Njamo’s corporate journey: from breakfast runs to boardroom success