This March, Women’s History Month, we shared the legacy of Grace Hopper and her trailblazing innovations in software development and computing, highlighted the must-watch webinars by in cybersecurity and met with cyber newcomer and (ISC)² Candidate Nidhi Kannoujia on the (ISC)² Blog. We also asked a group of volunteer members to share their experiences working in cyber and to offer some insights into their careers so far, along with their aspirations. You can find their shared experiences in (ISC)² Listens: Women Working in Cybersecurity.
To wrap up the month, we collected some key statistics that focus on women in cybersecurity today from the 2022 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study.
According to study respondents, 30% of women and 18% of non-white employees worldwide say they feel discriminated against at work. This is a disappointing statistic that the (ISC)² Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is working to help improve. More insights are available in the market research In Their Own Words: Women and People of Color Detail Experiences Working in Cybersecurity.
The cybersecurity profession is rapidly changing and experiencing a profound demographic shift across the globe in age, gender, race and ethnicity. This gap is the result of both generational changes in culture and in demographics themselves. In this year’s study, women accounted for 30% of global cybersecurity workers under the age of 30, while they accounted for just 14% of those 60 or older.
We are seeing more women, especially younger ones, holding managerial positions. The workforce study found that women made up only 10% of C-level executives who are 50 or older, but they account for 35% of all executives in their 30s. However, women remain underrepresented in advanced, non-managerial positions, where they make up only 17% of our respondent base.
When asked, “Which of the following is your organization doing or planning to do to help prevent or mitigate cybersecurity staff shortages at your organization?” 57% said investing in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (e.g., attract more women and minorities to enter the cybersecurity profession).
Do you know a woman currently studying cybersecurity? Share the female-focused scholarships available through the Center for Cyber Safety and Education with them: https://www.iamcybersafe.org/s/scholarships.