intelligent

THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE

SHORTAGE ALSO PRESENTS

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS

GENDER DISPARITY HEAD- ON , BY ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING

AND RECRUITING WOMEN INTO

CYBERSECURITY ROLES . overshadowed . Their perseverance and success , however , are crucial because they pave the way for future generations of women in cybersecurity , demonstrating that not only can women excel in this field , but they can also lead and drive innovation .

Nearly ten years ago , I made the decision to rebrand Digital Guardian ( my former company ), updating the primary brand colour to pink . As the cybersecurity industry was then characterised by dark , more conventional brand themes , the industry was in need of a brand refresh and a mini-revolution . I decided on the colour pink , often stereotypically associated with femininity , as I wanted to make a statement of inclusivity within a maledominated field .

I remember facing significant resistance . However , after some time , the underlying message became clear : the cybersecurity industry needed to attract and retain more women . The eventual acceptance and support of the rebrand demonstrated the

How , then , can other organisations take more decisive and effective action to address gender inequality in the industry , and by definition , the global skills gap that threatens to limit the effectiveness of cybersecurity innovation and implementation ?

In reality , addressing the diversity dilemma in cybersecurity requires a multi-faceted and sustained approach , including :

• Raising awareness in education settings : the role of educational institutions in nurturing and shaping career aspirations is key , and to ignite interest in cybersecurity among young women , it ’ s essential to integrate stories of successful women in cybersecurity into school educational resources and content . In addition , guest speakers , multimedia content and even fictional representations of female technologists in school environments can serve as powerful catalysts for inspiration .

• Clarifying career pathways : taking the role of education a stage further , ideally , schools power of positive change , even in the face of embedded traditionalism .

The multi-faceted approach to levelling the field

That was only one example of one company in a burgeoning industry , but there are plenty more significant and on-going challenges . and universities should offer introductory and advanced cybersecurity courses with language and materials designed to attract and engage more female students . These courses should emphasise teamwork and collaborative problem-solving , aligning with the preferences often sought by women .

• Engaging media in shaping perceptions : the media plays a critical role in shaping