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How Many Women Are in Cyber Security?

Kate Mia Watson

Marketing Assistant

Leveraging her extensive experience in the cyber industry and a talent for creative writing, our Marketing Assistant adeptly translates complex, technical cyber security concepts into compelling, informative content that not only engages you, the reader but also underscores our authoritative position and expertise in the industry.

Despite the industry's rapid growth, women account for only 25% of cyber security jobs globally as of 2022, with projections indicating that this could rise to 30% by 2025. However, leadership roles remain markedly underrepresented, particularly in the UK, highlighting persistent gaps in diversity.

Women's Paths into Cyber Security and Their Roles Within Organisations

The cyber security industry is evolving, and women's roles are becoming more prominent. Although women still represent a smaller fraction of the cyber security workforce, their presence is growing.

Paths into Cyber Security:

Many women entering the field have backgrounds in IT, computer science, or other tech areas. Others transition from unrelated fields, leveraging transferable skills. Cyber security certifications also attract female candidates looking to specialise.

Education initiatives targeting female students are on the rise. Schools and colleges are promoting cyber security courses to bridge the skills gap. This positive trend is crucial for increasing female representation.

Roles Within Organisations:

Women in cyber security fill diverse roles. They work as threat analysts, cyber security consultants, and network security specialists. Some become chief information security officers, influencing their organisations' security strategies.

Key Areas:

  • Threat Analysis
  • Network Security
  • Security Consulting
  • Leadership Roles

While gender bias and lack of diversity are still concerns, the cyber security field is becoming more inclusive. As more women choose careers in cyber security, the pool of candidates will grow, helping to address the shortage of cyber security professionals.

The cyber security industry is seeing more women joining its ranks. By 2025, women are expected to hold 30% of cyber security jobs globally. This marks a positive trend in a field traditionally dominated by men.

Currently, the gender gap in cyber security remains a concern. Increasing female representation is crucial for tackling the skills gap and lack of diversity. Here's why this change matters:

  • Broader Pool of Candidates: More women means a wider selection of skilled professionals.
  • Diverse Perspectives: Women bring different views, helping to counter cyber threats effectively.
  • Closing the Gender Bias: It helps diminish the bias in tech roles and creates more opportunities for female students.

Women in Cyber Security Jobs

Year                   Women in Cyber Security Jobs (%)

2020                   20%

2025                   30%

The cyber workforce benefits from this positive trend, as more women in cyber enhance the industry's ability to combat threat actors. The underrepresentation of women in cyber security leadership in the UK is a pressing issue. Despite a positive trend, where women in cyber security roles have increased, there is still a notable gender gap. Female representation in leadership roles, such as Chief Information Security Officer, remains low.

A report highlights that women make up only a small per cent of the cyber security workforce in the UK. This lack of diversity limits the pool of candidates qualified for leadership positions. Gender bias and male-dominated networks often play a part in hindering the rise of female talent

Why Increase the Numbers of Women In Cyber Security?

Increasing female representation in cyber security brings multiple benefits. A diverse workforce introduces varied perspectives, fostering creativity in tackling cyber threats. Women in cyber security roles can help to fill the existing skills gap. Promoting diversity can enhance decision-making and innovation, crucial for staying ahead of evolving threats.

An Overall Skills Shortage

Despite the increasing number of women in cyber security, the industry continues to face a large skills gap. The demand for skilled cyber security professionals is growing due to rising cyber threats from threat actors. This gap represents an opportunity for more women to enter the field and pursue rewarding careers in cyber security. The industry can benefit from a larger and more diverse pool of candidates by encouraging more female students to consider cyber security jobs.

Possible Solutions to Address the Skills Shortage:

  • Encourage More Women in Tech: Promote tech careers early in school to spark interest among young girls.
  • Offer Cyber Security Certifications: Provide accessible certifications to help women gain necessary skills.
  • Increase Female Talent in Leadership Roles: Support women aiming for positions such as Chief Information Security Officer.

Both industry and education systems must work together to overcome these challenges and support more women in cyber security roles.

Hear From Our Female Consultants in Cyber

Teresa Jose

"I was super excited to work in the cyber security industry when I first started at Pentest People as a graduate consultant. I am extremely proud of the growth I have made in improving my understanding of the security aspects of extended digital environment of organisational structures.

I feel that more women should explore into the cyber industry. comparatively the cyber security industry has fewer women to look up to especially when it comes to offensive security.

My advice to women trying to get into your cyber security roles, i would recommend getting fundamental certifications to start off in the security industry, it should help anyone get a basic understanding of the cyber environment."

Greta Caikinaite

"Starting out in tech as a woman can feel a bit overwhelming, especially since it’s still a male-dominated field. This wasn’t an industry I initially considered, as there weren’t many prominent female leaders to look up to when I was growing up or deciding on career options. It’s strange because, when you look through history, women have made such significant contributions to the tech world. Personally, working at Pentest People has been an incredible experience. While there are more male consultants than female ones, the culture here is so welcoming. Everyone is genuinely focused on helping each other grow, learn new skills, and reach our potential. My advice to any woman considering a career in tech is to embrace your own unique strengths. There are so many different areas within the industry, and there’s absolutely a space for everyone, no matter your background or interests. Additionally, there are so many fantastic female-led initiatives now that provide opportunities for women to up skill, build confidence, and connect with others on the same journey so definitely take advantage of those. Above all, my biggest piece of advice is to never compromise who you are. Be authentic, trust in your abilities, and know that you belong here just as much as anyone else."

Natalia Lewandowska

"Being a woman in cyber security is both empowering and inspiring. It's incredible to see more women breaking barriers in this field, bringing diverse perspectives and strengthening the industry as a whole. Seeing more female professionals around me and also here at Pentest People makes me feel proud and motivated, knowing that we are paving the way for future generations to thrive in tech and security."

Ikrah Shazad

"It’s been incredible to work in such a fast-growing industry and contribute to something that truly makes a difference. One of my proudest accomplishments at Pentest People is helping grow our team, including hiring talented women across all departments. Our goal is to continue bringing more women into cyber security. Cyber security is an exciting field, but we still need more women to break into the industry. Diverse perspectives are essential for solving complex challenges. While being a woman in tech has its ups and downs, the progress and support we’re seeing are encouraging. My advice? Don’t be intimidated! You don’t need to know everything from day one, stay confident, find mentors, and take a chance."

Careers at Pentest People

Here at Pentest People, we’re often on the search for new individuals to join the team. Our consultant team is full of likeminded people that all share a passion for cyber security and more specifically ethical hacking.If you’ve recently finished higher education, looking for an apprenticeship or even a complete change in career then take a look at our available vacancies.

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