Why More Women Should Be in IT Security
Women not only have outstanding opportunities in IT security, but they also contribute to better cyber protection for everyone with their experiences and ways of thinking.
Women should engage more in IT security. Why? Because IT security offers outstanding career opportunities due to the enormous shortage of skilled workers, because the job requires creativity and analytical thinking, because the pay is good, and because the fast-paced and ever-changing field of IT security is exciting and features fewer outdated gender roles.
IT security is constantly reinventing itself and needs people who are curious and eager to solve problems. What’s exciting about IT security is that you are always learning because the threat landscape changes so quickly. This is exactly what makes it appealing and inspires more and more women to contribute their creativity, analytical thinking, and experience, or to take on leadership roles.
Success Through Diversity
Fortunately, in IT security, the question of which gender has better career opportunities or which traditional gender roles apply is less of an issue. The industry, which has been successful for many decades, shows that it’s the mix that matters. Different experiences, beliefs, and approaches to risk analysis complement each other into a bigger whole and help create creative solutions for security requirements and resilience—a work environment and set of tasks that is also highly appealing to women.
IT and IT Security Are Firmly on Women’s Agenda
Women who choose IT security do so for various reasons—ranging from interest in technology to the rapid advancements, excellent career prospects, and attractive working conditions. However, there are still too few women who see their future in IT. In Germany, the proportion of women in IT is about 30%, which is slightly higher than the global average of 24%, but it is still far from enough, particularly in IT security, to meet the demand for qualified security professionals.
Role Models: Women
Women are, above all, role models for future generations and for young talents considering their career opportunities. Increasingly, more women in IT security and leadership roles are showing that this industry offers a high degree of equality, opportunities, and room for personal development, something that traditional sectors often cannot match.
In summary: Women in IT security are essential for a secure digital future for everyone. Therefore, occasions like International Women’s Day should be used to highlight this opportunity.
Zoya Schaller
Director of Cybersecurity Compliance at Keeper Security.
