SECURE horizons
By Jess Abell , our Director of Strategic Content
In this column , we ’ ll be discussing key issues for CISOs and their teams – from AI to wellbeing and from Zero Trust to communication . If you ’ d like to get in touch , email jess @ lynchpinmedia . com
How would greater female representation aid with driving change within the industry ?
Adding more women to cybersecurity isn ’ t just about filling empty positions – it ’ s about bringing fresh perspectives to an industry that can benefit from them . When we expand the talent pool to include more women , we ’ re not only addressing the huge skills gap in the field , but we ’ re also bringing in new ways of thinking about and solving security problems .
Women often excel at understanding and connecting with people , which is incredibly valuable in cybersecurity . These skills make a real difference when explaining complex security concepts , handling security incidents sensitively , or designing security measures that people will actually use rather than bypass .
Think about it – what good is a security solution if users find it so frustrating that they look for workarounds ?
Having experienced many online security challenges firsthand , women in cybersecurity bring practical insights to tackling problems like online harassment , privacy issues , and digital safety . They get it because they ’ ve often dealt with these issues themselves . Plus , female leaders in the field tend to actively help other women grow their careers through mentoring and support , creating a positive ripple effect throughout the industry .
When we bring together different viewpoints , experiences , and problem-solving approaches , we end up with better , more creative solutions to security challenges . It ’ s pretty simple – a more diverse cybersecurity industry is better equipped to protect all of us in our increasingly connected world .
How would you challenge more women to pursue a career in cybersecurity ?
To encourage more women to pursue a career in cybersecurity , I would advise them not to be intimidated by the complex technologies , jargon and endless abbreviations that often make the field seem exclusive . Instead , I would shift the focus to the core mission of cybersecurity : protecting the confidentiality , integrity and availability of information .
At its foundation , cybersecurity is about managing risk and women already have a natural aptitude for risk assessment and mitigation in their everyday lives – whether it ’ s making financial decisions , ensuring family safety , or navigating professional challenges . By reframing cybersecurity as an extension of these instinctive skills rather than a purely technical domain , we can break down barriers and make the field more accessible .
Encouraging mentorship , fostering inclusive work environments and highlighting diverse role models can further reinforce that women belong in cybersecurity just as much as anyone else .
By reframing cybersecurity as an extension of these instinctive skills rather than a purely technical domain , we can break down barriers and make the field more accessible .
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