Tackling the gender gap in cybersecurity: Advancing women's participation and leadership

September 1, 2024, marks International Women in Cyber Day (IWCD), a global initiative to celebrate and spotlight the achievements of women in cyber security. This day aims to honor our accomplishments and raise awareness about the challenges we face in the field. 

As women, we often juggle additional responsibilities both at work and at home. We don't wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and think, "I'm a woman." But that is often the first thing others recognize about us. This can lead to biases and differences in the way we are treated. It's important to use this as fuel for the fire rather than having it shape us. We can utilize challenges to become a source of motivation.

As a woman of colour and an immigrant from Asia who moved to Australia at a young age, being different was a reality for me long before entering the corporate world. Like many minorities, I initially avoided calling attention to my differences and discussing diversity in the workplace. I just wanted to blend in. It wasn't until later in my career that I recognised not only that my differences were actually strengths but also that I had an opportunity to advocate for diversity in tech.
Cybersecurity has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but by elevating women's voices to promote workplace equality, we can make cybersecurity stronger as a whole by adding essential perspectives.

Emerging Trends in Cybersecurity and the Essential Role of Women
According to the Gender Dimensions of the Australian Cyber Security Sector Report by RMIT's Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CCSRI), women currently comprise just around 17% of Australian cyber security occupations. With artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology trends rapidly increasing the demand for skilled workers in the field, we must raise this percentage. By making the sector more inclusive and diverse, it will be better equipped to solve the problems of tomorrow. 

In today's knowledge-based economy, data and information are essential for all businesses and governments to succeed. In turn, cybersecurity skills are more complex and demanding. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, cyber security is recognised as both a "trending skill" (skills that have gained importance over the past five years) and an "emerging skill" (those that have become more significant in jobs where they were not previously important). 

Cyber security roles in Australia require not only a strong foundation in technical STEM skills, but also broader skills including expertise in governance, management, and coordination. Women are particularly well-suited to handle these responsibilities, bringing skills in empathy, communication, and strategic thinking in addition to technical acumen.  By leveraging these skills, women can contribute significantly to solving the most complex problems in cyber security and drive innovation in the field.

Closing the Cybersecurity Gender Gap 
Only 27% of women in the sector reported having a role model or mentor of the same gender, compared to over 50% of men who reported having a male equivalent, according to RMIT's report. As leaders, it's our duty to ensure that every team member feels connected and supported. As the executive sponsor for Women in Zscaler Engage (WIZE), one of Zscaler's six employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on diversity and inclusion, I am committed to strengthening relationships, creating initiatives to support women, and exchanging valuable knowledge. 

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of hosting an inspiring and powerful group of women leaders in IT and security at our Women in IT & Security CXO Summit in Palm Beach, Florida. These remarkable women, representing some of the world's most renowned companies, generously shared their expertise, personal stories, and positive energy. The economic buying power and decision-making power of those women could only have been imagined a few short decades ago. Looking ahead, more community gatherings like this are on the horizon in the industry, and we should enthusiastically embrace these opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together. 

Cyber security has moved beyond the realm of IT and is crucial for business success. Tech leaders must understand and communicate business strategies effectively. Skills like communication, collaboration, teamwork, empathy, and respect are key for connecting business needs with information security and for working well with both technical and non-technical executives, administrators, and end users. Once seen as "soft" or "feminine," these skills are now critical, and women are particularly well-equipped to lead in this area.