Do an image search using the terms “security manager,” “security director,” “CSO” or “security professional,” and the results will be fairly predictable. With its roots in law enforcement, the security industry has long been dominated by men, whether in management, sales, or technical positions. In recent years, however, this has begun to change. First making inroads in traditionally-female roles like marketing and human resources, now more women are making their mark in leadership and other types of roles across the security industry. In fact, the last 20 years have demonstrated to professionals across all industries that business growth is best achieved by eliminating limitations based on gender. While the proportion of women to men continues to lag behind that reality, the balance is shifting and becoming more visible in the security industry as well.
A few pioneers have paved the way over the years and present a more balanced model of what a security professional might look like. Here are a few examples. As one of the earliest women in a top management position in the industry, Cyndi Freschi founded the integration company North American Video in 1995 and built it over the next few years into a powerhouse in the gaming vertical. Wynn Resorts brought Patricia Fischer, already a seasoned security expert, on board as their Executive Director of Surveillance when the Las Vegas hotel was built in 2005. Since 2000, cybersecurity analyst, author and researcher Keren Elazari has provided guidance to strengthen network security for dozens of organizations. Elazari, whose 2014 TED talk helped shape the global conversation about the role of hackers and the evolution of cybersecurity in the information age, will be a keynote speaker at the 2020 Global Security Exchange Plus (GSX+).