The Growing Presence of Women in the Cyber Security Industry: New Research from ISC2

The cyber security industry is seeing a positive trend in the number of women entering the field, according to new research from ISC2. The analysis shows that women now make up a larger percentage of new entrants and are taking on leadership positions and hiring responsibilities.

While the average representation of women on cyber security teams is 23%, the figures for different age groups show improvement. Female practitioners in the ‘under 30’ age bracket now account for one-quarter of security team headcounts.

ISC2 chief executive, Clar Rosso, emphasized the importance of continuing to build a culture that creates a sense of belonging for women in cyber security careers. She noted that while there has been incremental progress, more needs to be done to retain women in the industry.

The research also highlighted that only 11% of the workforce study participants reported having no women on their security teams. The most equal gender mix was found in cloud services, automotive, and construction, while military and utilities had the least equal representation.

Despite the progress, there are still challenges to address. Women in cyber security earn an average of $109,609 compared to $115,003 for men. Additionally, almost one-in-three women reported feeling discriminated against in the workplace, with higher rates among women of Black or African descent in Canada.

The report also emphasized the value of diverse teams in improving organizational performance. Women reported lower cyber security talent shortages at their organizations compared to men and highlighted the importance of an inclusive environment for team success.

Overall, the research underscores the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the cyber security industry. As women continue to make strides in the field, it is crucial for organizations to invest in creating a supportive and inclusive culture for all professionals.