Women face unique entry barriers in the security industry, discouraging many from pursuing careers in the industry in the first place. This trickledown effect, combined with a lack of recruiting and mentorship opportunities, means the security workforce is drastically lacking in gender diversity. When companies prioritize female leadership development and break the stigma, they create diversity of thought in the process, driving their own success.
Talent acquisition and retention is the leading operational reason that companies have been ramping up their diversity initiatives, according to (32 percent) of respondents in the (ISC)² study.
Today’s center of gravity in cybersecurity is shifting, pulling the skills and experience of cyber defenders in new directions. In most companies, this situation has led to a convergence of responsibilities between physical security, information security and cybersecurity teams, and an increased commitment to “staffing-up” of dedicated “cyber defenders.”
