The future of cybersecurity resilience relies on recruiting more women
Julie Noizeux Inder, cybersecurity specialist at Fortinet, understands the challenges that women face when entering traditionally male-dominated fields like cybersecurity. This International Women’s Day, she highlights a concerning paradox: while cybercriminals have rapidly embraced diverse networks to strengthen their attacks, legitimate cybersecurity teams still struggle with gender diversity. In the below piece, Inder emphasises that addressing this imbalance isn’t just about equality—it’s essential for building robust security teams capable of defending against increasingly sophisticated threats. As the global cybersecurity skills gap continues to widen, bringing more women into the field has become both a moral obligation and a strategic necessity for stronger cyber resilience.
Op-ed by Julie Noizeux Inder, cybersecurity specialist for South Africa at Fortinet.
Are companies at risk of developing blind spots?
The cybersecurity industry stands at a crossroads. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats demands a workforce capable of outpacing adversaries, yet the sector continues to grapple with a persistent and damaging talent shortage. The solution? Expanding the cybersecurity talent pool by actively recruiting and utilising the skills and insights of more women. This isn’t merely a question of equality; it’s a matter of resilience, innovation, and the long-term success of cybersecurity itself.
Research consistently demonstrates that diverse teams drive greater innovation and problem-solving capabilities. In cybersecurity in particular – where anticipating, identifying, and mitigating threats is paramount – homogeneous teams risk developing blind spots, failing to consider the full spectrum of attack vectors used by increasingly resourceful cybercriminals. Diverse teams are more likely to bring fresh perspectives and novel approaches to tackling threats, and thereby bolster overall security resilience.
Yet, despite this, women remain significantly underrepresented in cybersecurity, making up only a fraction of the global workforce. This lack of diversity hinders the industry’s ability to evolve and meet the dynamic nature of cyber threats.
Cybercriminals – a step ahead?
Cybercriminals are already, in a somewhat ironic move, breaking down homogeneity in their ranks by virtue of new, huge, interconnected networks of syndicates working together. Today’s cybercriminals operate with customer service teams, negotiation specialists, and even refund policies – all from diverse locations, with diverse specialities, connected digitally and through purpose. A report from Trend Micro in 2023 also revealed that at least 30% of cyber-criminals are women, with that number rising in certain forums.
To ensure diversity can strengthen corporate cybersecurity efforts and innovation faster than today’s threats evolve, organisations must prioritise inclusive hiring practices and cultivate environments that support women’s long-term success in the field. It’s not just about equality – it’s a business imperative.
Framing gender diversity as a corporate social responsibility initiative alone misses the bigger picture. The cybersecurity battlefield has changed, and organisations that fail to diversify their teams risk falling behind. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities that traditional security mindsets might overlook, making varied perspectives essential in outmanoeuvring them.
Moreover, diverse teams have been shown to make better decisions, foster greater adaptability, and enhance risk assessment strategies. When cybersecurity firms and IT security teams integrate women into their ranks, they expand their capacity to develop comprehensive security strategies that account for a broader range of threats.
Addressing the talent shortage
The global cybersecurity skills gap generally remains a hugely pressing issue. According to industry reports recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal, millions of cybersecurity positions remain unfilled, posing a significant risk to businesses and national security efforts worldwide. Research estimates a global shortage of around 4.8 million cybersecurity professionals.
Women represent an untapped resource that could help close this gap, but systemic barriers – such as sexism, unconscious bias in hiring, lack of mentorship, and limited publicity or opportunities for female role models – continue to deter them from entering the field.
Bridging this divide requires targeted efforts to attract and then retain women in cybersecurity roles. Companies must take proactive steps to ensure women not only join the industry but also thrive within it. Things to consider include:
● Mentorship and Sponsorship Programmes: Connecting women with mentors and sponsors who can guide their career development, advocate for their advancement, and provide crucial industry insights.
● Flexible Work Policies: Many women face greater work-life balance challenges that rigid corporate structures fail to accommodate. Flexible work arrangements can make cybersecurity roles more accessible.
● Bias-Free Hiring and Promotion Processes: Implementing structured hiring processes, diverse interview panels, and unbiased evaluation criteria can help level the playing field.
What lies ahead?
The future of cybersecurity resilience depends on us taking strategic action today. Industry leaders, businesses, and policymakers must recognise that gender diversity is more than a moral imperative – it is fundamental to strengthening cybersecurity’s ability to counter ever-evolving threats. By fostering an industry where women not only enter but also excel, we secure a more innovative, adaptable, and robust cybersecurity workforce.
This Women’s Day, let’s move beyond discussions of representation that so often (and tragically) get glanced over, and commit to tangible actions that empower women in cybersecurity to the benefit of all. The future of our digital security depends on it.