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.

The gender wage gap is widening, particularly for women under 40, according to a three-year study by HR analytics and software company Visier.