A recent study by ISC2 revealed that only 17% of cybersecurity workforce respondents were women, highlighting the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining women in the industry. However, there are positive trends emerging, with younger women finding pathways into cybersecurity careers. The study, which surveyed 14,865 cybersecurity practitioners globally, also provided insights on the state of women in the workforce and offered tips on how to attract and retain diverse talent.
On average, women currently make up about one quarter of the cybersecurity field, with the number expected to rise to 35% by 2031. Team composition data showed that 23% of security teams include women, with women reporting more women on their teams compared to men. Cloud services, automotive, and construction sectors reported the highest percentage of women on their teams.
When it comes to cybersecurity salaries, there are gender discrepancies, with men earning slightly higher salaries than women in both the U.S. and globally. The study also highlighted that women in cybersecurity may face discrimination or struggle with authenticity at work, with 29% of women reporting discrimination and 36% feeling they cannot be authentic at work.
Despite these challenges, both men and women reported high job satisfaction in their cybersecurity careers. Organizations that successfully attract diverse candidates tend to solve staffing problems more effectively, with women reporting fewer cybersecurity staffing shortages compared to men.
To increase the number of women in cybersecurity and improve job satisfaction for women in the field, ISC2 suggests creating cybersecurity programs for early education, setting specific hiring metrics related to adding and retaining women, paying women equally to men, supporting women’s career advancement goals, and focusing on creating an inclusive work culture.
Clar Rosso, CEO of ISC2, emphasized the benefits of an inclusive culture in cybersecurity, stating that organizations committed to inclusion bring diverse skill sets and backgrounds to the table to solve challenges and build opportunities.