Women in cyber security gap prompts diversity push

Technology security leaders used International Women in Cyber Day to highlight the sector's gender gap and call for sustained efforts to bring more women into cybersecurity roles. Senior executives from Datadog, Infoblox and ManageEngine said the industry faces both a structural skills shortfall and a diversity challenge.

Women remain a minority in the global cybersecurity workforce, despite growing demand for security skills across the public and private sectors. Industry analysts and recruiters continue to report difficulty filling critical roles, particularly in threat intelligence, incident response and security engineering. Their comments come as organisations reassess hiring, career development and workplace culture within security teams.

Several leaders said gender imbalance in cybersecurity has become a strategic concern rather than a narrow diversity metric. They linked a broader mix of backgrounds and experience to better risk analysis, more effective threat modelling and stronger engagement with non-technical staff. They also pointed to rapid changes in the threat landscape, including the use of artificial intelligence by criminal groups, which are putting fresh pressure on the talent pipeline.

At Infoblox, Vice President of Threat Intelligence Dr Renée Burton said organisations need to treat diversity in security functions as a core business consideration. She tied that view to the complexity and pace of current cyber threats, as well as the use of AI tools by both attackers and defenders.

"Women are underrepresented in cybersecurity for a variety of complex reasons. We need to address this because diversity in this field is a strategic advantage, not a social initiative. Defending networks and users has always been difficult, but those challenges continue to increase with the adoption of AI by attackers. This means we need more brain power and different perspectives to combat them. But AI is also an advantage to defenders: girls can be introduced to these technologies through gamification that catches their interest. Women interested in joining the field can learn faster and cross-train more quickly to join the forces. As cybersecurity gains a critical mass of women, more will want to join in - it's just a matter of getting to that point. While everyone fears AI, we can also use it to our advantage to grow talent in different fields like this one," said Dr Renée Burton, Vice President of Threat Intelligence, Infoblox.

Burton's remarks highlight AI's dual role as both a source of new risk and a possible entry point for women and girls exploring technical careers. Gamified training, online labs and AI-assisted learning tools now sit alongside more traditional computer science and security qualifications. The focus on cross-training also reflects a wider trend of professionals moving into cybersecurity mid-career from adjacent disciplines.

Others see workplace culture as central to whether women join and remain in the field. At Datadog, Senior Regional Manager, Enterprise Sales Engineering Siti Chen linked inclusive cultures to better retention, more open technical debate and a greater willingness to acknowledge uncertainty during fast-moving security incidents.

"Today matters because it forces a moment of honesty. It's easy to celebrate the women already succeeding in this industry, and we should. But it also prompts us to ask if we are actually building the industry we say we want, or just talking about it.

"I've watched cybersecurity shift from a narrow, technical discipline into something far more human. Threats today aren't just about code and infrastructure, they're about people, behaviour and trust. That's why we need a wider range of voices in the room and why this industry was never meant to be exclusive. Different backgrounds surface different blind spots, and that diversity is a genuine advantage.

"Culture plays a big part too. At Datadog it's genuinely okay to ask questions and admit what you don't know, which matters more than people realise. Our Women of Datadog community, mentorship programs and inclusive hiring practices all turn good intentions into actual opportunities. In my own team, people are encouraged to share their experiences and technical perspectives, helping build stronger teams.

"What I find genuinely exciting is how open the future of this field still is. AI, cloud and observability are still being shaped, creating new roles, more entry points and different disciplines we've never had before. I'd love to see more of that opportunity reach women, who can help define what cybersecurity becomes. It's a rare position to be in.

"And as women continue to join the industry, my hope is that they stay in it, are supported and lead it. When that becomes ordinary rather than notable, we'll know we've actually got somewhere," said Siti Chen, Senior Regional Manager, Enterprise Sales Engineering, Datadog.

Chen's focus on retention echoes concerns among security leaders that entry-level initiatives are not enough on their own. Mid-career progression, sponsorship into leadership and the visibility of senior female experts have become recurring themes in corporate diversity strategies. Cybersecurity's long hours, on-call patterns and incident-driven workload also put pressure on employers to review flexibility and support structures.

Mentoring and visible role models are central to that discussion for Sujatha S Iyer, Head of AI Security at ManageEngine. She said the sector has moved beyond active exclusion, but past hiring patterns and leadership norms still shape outcomes.

"Women in cybersecurity are already shaping the future and, with ongoing support, the possibilities are limitless. The gender imbalance we often see in cybersecurity reflects historical trends that haven't yet been fully addressed, rather than what I believe is the industry's true nature. Although the industry remains predominantly male in many areas, particularly in leadership roles, I believe cybersecurity is making promising strides in inclusivity and gender balance. And with the rise of remote work helping to bridge gender gaps, the future is bright.

"But the road ahead is not without challenges. The importance of mentorship and visible female role models cannot be overstated. To the young women entering this field: stay curious, seek mentorship and don't fall for the myth that cybersecurity is a man's game. Lean in and claim your seat at the table. There is room for everyone, the industry benefits from diversity of experience, skills and perspectives, and women's voices are essential to shaping its future. To the incredible women already in this field: keep speaking up, keep backing your judgement and keep making space at the table for the women coming up behind you. The industry is stronger for every new voice," said Sujatha S Iyer, Head of AI Security, ManageEngine.

Remote and hybrid work have become an important factor in broadening access to security roles across regions and time zones. Managers said distributed teams create opportunities for staff balancing work with caring responsibilities. Security leaders now face pressure to turn these structural shifts, and the attention created by recognition days, into lasting changes in hiring, promotion and leadership representation.