Considering the continuous increase in cybersecurity-related threats around the world, the need for talented cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. And unfortunately, there has been a persistent talent shortage in various cybersecurity fields for quite some time now.
Part of combatting this wide-scale issue is by addressing a shortcoming that’s been evident in the industry for a large number of years – gender disparity. Currently, females only represent 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce. While the statistic historically had been due to an imbalance of women in STEM fields generally, the low participation of women in cybersecurity careers has persisted.
Organizations interested in impacting gender diversity in cybersecurity roles can look to improve their hiring and retention strategies. By staying aware of this hiring imbalance regarding gender representation in cybersecurity fields, organizations can each play their part in helping create a more equitable playing field.
The Importance of Gender Equality in Cybersecurity
Although many organizations view gender equality as a moral obligation, diversity in staffing can provide tangible benefits for your organization. This is especially the case in cybersecurity fields, where broad industry perspectives and life experiences can make all the difference.
Better Teamwork and Improved Decision-Making
When it comes to managing cybersecurity incidents, every second counts. Having a team that operates decisively and is able to work together to make smarter decisions will help reduce the likelihood of major security issues materializing. This can include running red and blue team exercises in-house or being able to work collaboratively with third-party penetration testing services.
Diversity plays an important part in helping this to take place. A research study reported on Forbes found that of a variety of companies representing highly diverse team environments, 87% reported that they had significant advantages in their decision-making capabilities.
New and Effective Problem-Solving Methods
One of the most difficult things about modern-day cyber threats is how quickly they evolve over time. As new technologies become available, malicious attackers will often look for ways they can be leveraged to harm organizations.
However, while new innovations like AI technology might be helping organizations supplement a variety of their cyber defense processes, these systems can’t replicate the collaboration and critical thinking skills that make human workers so essential.
When organizations value having a more diverse range of employees, they’re able to tap into a wide array of knowledge and adaptability that can be used to empower teams to tackle more complex security issues.
Diversity-Minded Cybersecurity Recruitment Strategies
Addressing the gender gap that’s been present in the cybersecurity sector for decades now isn’t something that can happen overnight. However, there are some important steps organizations can take now to ensure they’re opening the doors for more diversity in their cybersecurity workforce.
Broadening Job Descriptions
Organizations should take a critical look at how they are drafting their new job descriptions. Oftentimes businesses may be focused on creating comprehensive lists with ultra-specific skills accounted for, and neglect to keep roles approachable to individuals looking to grow their careers. And studies have shown that women are more likely than men to self-select out of applying for jobs where past experience does not match all the job requirements.
It’s also important for organizations to revamp hiring criteria to include a variety of collaboration- and leadership skills. This includes placing more value on a combination of technical and soft skills like critical thinking and role adaptability.
Creating Additional Avenues for Career Growth
Both men and women want to see themselves succeed in the industries they work in. This is why it’s so important for companies to create equal opportunities for career growth wherever possible. Women have often faced historical barriers when it comes to being considered for certain leadership positions, especially when lacking support from mentors who “look like them”. It’s critical modern organizations place focus on providing these opportunities wherever possible.
Regularly offering targeted training opportunities like becoming certified for vendor risk assessments or HITRUST auditing procedures as well as pairing experienced professionals with new aspiring leaders can be a great way to show the importance of maintaining a diverse company culture.
Additional Work Flexibility
As the demand for cybersecurity talent increases, it’s important for organizations to be more open to allowing flexible working arrangements.
Scheduling flexibility can help businesses cast a much wider net when finding eligible job candidates. This can also be a contributing factor when ensuring teams are made up of a variety of different individuals and capabilities, helping organizations innovate and become much more dynamic.
Building a Diverse Team
As the complexities of modern-day cybersecurity threats continue to escalate, it’s important for all organizations to think harder about their recruitment strategies. By focusing more on equality and diversity, organizations can create a more inclusive and effective team that is better equipped to handle today’s security challenges and future ones.
Author Bio
Nazy Fouladirad is President and COO of Tevora, a global leading cybersecurity consultancy. She has dedicated her career to creating a more secure business and online environment for organizations across the country and world.
Nazy is also passionate about serving her community and acts as a board member for a local nonprofit organization.