Why We Need More Women in Cybersecurity And How to Get There

by Marta Rodriguez, Digital Marketing Manager

Added on: 9th August 2024

Getting more women into Cybersecurity, still a male-dominated field, is essential to coping with the high-demand tech talent. But where to start? How do we change it? And what can your organisation do to attract more women into Cybersecurity?

This blog post explores the current state of gender diversity in the UK’s cybersecurity industry, the importance of having more women in cybersecurity roles, and the barriers they face. We’ll also discuss practical ways to attract more women to this exciting and essential career path.

The UK’s Cyber Security Industry is Dominated by Men

Did you know that as of May 2024, women made up just 17.9% of the UK’s cybersecurity workforce? Yep, that’s right. Of all the cybersecurity professionals, fewer than one in five are women. And while this is a slight improvement from 17.5% in 2023, we still have a long way to go. In contrast, according to LinkedIn’s research on Cybersecurity Talent, men dominate 82.1% of the roles.

Cybersecurity is a male-dominated field — What’s going on in Cyber? Where Are the Women in Cybersecurity Jobs?

The Importance of Women in Cybersecurity

First, why is it important to have more women in Cybersecurity? Diversity is key to innovation. Different perspectives lead to better problem-solving, creativity, and resilience. We have talked about this many times, but it’s particularly relevant in this technology area. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and frequent, it’s evident that tech companies need all hands on deck.

One of the biggest hurdles is in education. Studies show a significant drop in the number of women in STEM happens when transitioning from secondary school to university and from university to the workforce. To make matters worse, a study by King’s College London found that the number of girls in England taking computing GCSEs has plummeted.

Girls, certain ethnic groups and students from underserved socioeconomic backgrounds came off worst, as students still perceive Information and Technology career routes as too difficult.

Is the Gender Gap in Cybersecurity a Global Issue?

Cybersecurity is male-dominated worldwide—no surprises here. However, the gender gap isn’t as big everywhere. In Italy, women occupy 26.7% of cybersecurity roles, and in Singapore, it’s 26.2%.

Less than 1 in 5 cybersecurity workers is a woman — There is an increasing number of women working in Cybersecurity, but more needs to be done to increase the representation of women in the field (Source: LinkedIn News UK)

So, How Do We Attract More Women to CyberSecurity?

→ As an employer, but also as a male peer, you can celebrate and promote female role models in the Cybersecurity field.

→ Companies and professionals can also join schools and universities’ education initiatives. Hands-on workshops, coding camps, and STEM clubs can make a huge difference, encouraging girls to pursue STEM subjects.

→ Organisations must address unconscious biases in recruitment and promotion practices and create inclusive cultures where women feel welcomed, valued and supported.

→ Many companies invest in programs that support women’s career growth, such as mentorship opportunities, networking events, and leadership training, which is an excellent way to break down barriers.

How to Get Women into CyberSecurity Roles

Cybersecurity isn’t for everyone, but it’s a high-paying career. While the demand for cybersecurity professionals isn’t as high as it was a few years ago, the industry is still ripe with opportunities.

→ Are you a candidate? We have an interesting article for those considering starting a Cybersecurity career. Give it a good read!

→ Are you an employer? If you’re looking to build a stronger, more innovative cybersecurity workforce and break down recruitment barriers for women, our team can review your existing candidate journey, identify any obstacles and improve your talent attraction processes. Let’s chat!