4 Ways to Support Women in Cybersecurity

This month marks Women’s History Month, and today we celebrate International Women’s Day by praising the invaluable contributions that women bring to the cybersecurity industry.

Over the last few years, we have seen an increase in the role of women in the field of science and technology, but celebrating this International Women’s Day reminds us all that we still have a ways to go. 

Research from (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study took a holistic look at who is truly doing the work of cybersecurity. Looking at the industry as a whole, women’s contribution in the workforce has grown from 11% in 2017, to 24%, accounting for one-quarter of the overall industry. While men still outnumber women in cybersecurity by three to one, more women are currently joining the field. Additionally, a higher percentage of women cybersecurity professionals are reaching leadership positions over men.

At Neosec, we want to encourage more people to explore careers in cybersecurity. As long as you have a desire to learn and make a difference, there is a huge opportunity for you in cybersecurity. We’ve pulled together some resources that support women  looking to begin or accelerate their career in cybersecurity:

• Help A Sister Up - This LinkedIn group is for both men and women to "Help A Sister Up!" - it is a rallying point and initiative to promote and support women in cybersecurity.
• Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) - A group to help women achieve the level of education and skills required to succeed in security and privacy positions across multiple industries.
• Women in CyberSecurity - WiCyS is a global community of women, allies and advocates dedicated to bringing talented women together to celebrate and foster their passion and drive for cybersecurity. 
• Girls Go CyberStar - Girls Go CyberStart works with high school students to create a platform where every girl who enjoys creative thinking, problem solving, and reading between the lines can explore cybersecurity in a safe, barrier-free environment.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the women out there!