This is part of a running series for #IWD2021. We sat down with women leaders across the industry for a Q&A to get their insights on the state of women in cybersecurity. Recognize Women Leaders in the 2021 Tech Ascension Awards.
Alexa Bleecker Director, Growth Marketing and Content Strategy, Kasada:
How has the women workforce in cybersecurity evolved over recent years?
Despite recent growth, women remain very much a minority in the cybersecurity field with the percentage of women at around 20% (and even lower in the C-Suite), according to a Gartner report from a little over a year ago.
While we are definitely making progress, there is more work to be done to increase the number of women working in security. As an advocate for more inclusivity in the workplace, I’ve been pleased to see that more women have a seat at the table and hold leadership positions in cybersecurity now compared to a few years ago.
Where is it heading?
I predict this positive trend of more women and inclusivity in the cybersecurity field will continue. With the growth in cybersecurity jobs, we will see even more women pursue security roles, actively share our voices in events, and contribute to the security community.
What advice would you give to young women looking to enter into cybersecurity?
One of the advantages of getting into the security field is that it’s constantly changing and you can reinvent yourself and your career. Because I have a Master’s in Cybersecurity, people often ask me if it is necessary to get a master’s to get started with a career in cyber. While my experience worked out great for me, there are so many other ways to learn and connect with others in the field. You can learn so much from participating in forums and communities, watching YouTube videos, attending free training and computer security competitions. Above all, if you have an interest in cybersecurity, keep an open mind, ask questions, and stay curious.
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