Dive Brief:
- Women now make up nearly a third of the cybersecurity workforce, according to the 2019 Women in Cybersecurity report by (ISC)², a nonprofit association of certified cybersecurity professionals.
- The report revealed that the newest generational entrants into cybersecurity are more female than they were before; 45% of the women polled were Millennials, compared to 33% of men. However, the report also found gender-based pay disparities; 17% of women reported yearly salaries of between $50,000 and $90,000, compared to 29% of men, and 16% of women are paid between $100,000 or more annually, compared to 20% of men.
- "It's an encouraging sign that more women are succeeding in cybersecurity and moving up through the ranks," Jennifer Minella, CISSP, VP of engineering & security at Carolina Advanced Digital, Inc. and chairperson of the (ISC)² board of directors, said in a statement. "For many years this hasn't been the case, and we need to continue to do all we can to make ours a welcoming profession for the most talented and innovative individuals, regardless of gender."
Dive Insight:
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, as companies focus on securing their systems against breaches and data theft. A report released released last year by the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center found that cybersecurity training was a priority for business leaders, illustrating that demand.
Still, the (ISC)² report shows that a pay disparity persists between women and men in cybersecurity, despite the growing numbers and advanced education levels of women entering the field. HR leaders may need to review their organizations' compensation practices to ensure that salaries are fair.
(ISC)² CEO David Shearer described the advantages women in cybersecurity bring to the field in a statement: "Women in high-level positions will foster more inclusion and inspire young women to join the industry, and there are certainly many exciting opportunities available for those seeking to inspire a safe and secure cyber world. Diversity only makes us stronger."
