Despite global skills shortages, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields which demonstrates the need for democratization in the workforce.
In a world where our personal and national security is at stake, diversity in thought and approach is an underutilized asset. Despite critical global cybersecurity skills shortages, women remain underrepresented in scientific fields. With an increased frequency of cyberattacks worldwide, this poses a problem. Estimates project that women will represent only 30% of the global cybersecurity workforce by 2025.
The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and cybersecurity sectors have a strong reputation for technical excellence, and women are more likely than men to think cybersecurity is ‘too complex’ of a career. Yet, women bring an important and unique perspective, and there is a drastic need for more women in technology.
Fewer women are graduating from STEM courses today than in 1985, an indication of the current need for more gender diversity in the workplace. Despite an increasing notion that women are welcome in these fields, barriers still need to be overcome for women to join and thrive in male-dominated scientific areas. It’s an increasing concern that the lack of diversity in the tech sector will delimit the industry’s potential and increase organizations’ vulnerability to cyber threats if not addressed.
The Importance of Female Perspectives
Promoting diversity within the cybersecurity workforce helps foster new perspectives and innovative problem-solving approaches, and women play an essential role in the cybersecurity sector in several ways. For instance, women can generally offer a detail-oriented perspective while still evaluating the bigger picture, and they are often good communicators. These are necessary skills to have when identifying and addressing cybersecurity risks.
Gender-diverse teams, with a holistic outlook and diversity of approaches, can make better business decisions and offer more effective responses to cyber threats, highlighting the value of inclusivity. Women’s creativity in problem-solving, stemming from their differing life experiences, can enhance innovation and lead to effective solution-seeking. Adaptability and resilience are key skills, particularly in dynamic fields such as cybersecurity, where continuous evolution is the standard.
There is a growing need for qualified cybersecurity talent, and boosting female representation can help meet this demand. By promoting gender diversity and inclusion at all levels, fostering supportive work environments, and providing opportunities for growth and recognition, organizations can create a more inclusive cybersecurity workforce that empowers female talent.
Encouraging Female Entry and Retention in STEM
A common misconception stopping women from entering cybersecurity and tech fields is believing that they must be geniuses. However, there is no singular path to launching a career in cybersecurity, and accessing online training courses such as coding bootcamps and workshops can help to equip women with quick and efficient certifications to enter the industry. It is imperative to cultivate environments where women don’t just enter the domain but feel empowered to thrive within it.
Studies point to significant economic and operational advantages that companies and societies stand to gain from a more equal gender distribution in STEM fields. For example, the decision-making of diverse teams outperforms individual decision-making up to 87% of the time. Mentorship programs, reskilling avenues, and representation in leadership positions are pivotal in bringing about this cultural shift.
Networking in-person or via LinkedIn and attending events such as science and job fairs can help women find mentors who actively support and promote women’s entry and advancement into cybersecurity positions. To bridge the gender gap in STEM, businesses should proactively seek female candidates, and provide accelerated training initiatives and opportunities for everyone to make lateral shifts within organizations from related fields.
Bridging the Skills Gap with Gender Diversity
Canada faces a pressing issue with the burgeoning cybersecurity skills gap and tech talent shortage, underscoring the need for immediate action. Addressing the deficit requires harnessing more than technical skills – it’s about a future where women are rightfully at the table, shaping and defending our digital existence.
The solution lies not only in organizational policies and directives, but also in the societal shift toward reevaluating gender representation. The intricate challenges of cybersecurity require a multi-faceted range of talents, perspectives, and problem-solving skills. In today’s digital world, businesses should strive to cultivate an inclusive and equitable environment. As cyber threats continue to advance in sophistication, providing nuanced solutions through a lens of diversity is imperative. To eliminate the skills gap in Canada, we must actively give men and women equal access to the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive so that they can feel empowered and confident in their capabilities.
Jane Arnett is a Cybersecurity Evangelist at Check Point, Canada.