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 your organization’s Women Leaders in the 2021 Tech Ascension Awards.
Anna Convery-Pelletier, Chief Marketing Officer at Radware:
How has the women workforce in cybersecurity evolved over recent years?
Today women in cyber security makeup about 24% of the workforce which is a big improvement from 2017 when women only made up on 14% of the cybers ecurity jobs. While men continue to outnumber women, and pay gaps still exists, I believe we are on an upward trend recruiting women into the field. Our industry needs to continue to encourage more women into cyber security because 24% is still too low.
Where is it heading?
It has been estimated that more than 3 million security jobs worldwide are unfilled which has only gotten worse during the pandemic because as companies shifted to remote work options, the need for cyber professionals increased dramatically. However, progress in this area is being made thanks to an increased awareness on the topic and the growth of women in cyber security organizations and other initiatives.
What advice would you give to young women looking to enter into cybersecurity?
As someone who was named Woman of the Year in Technology by Women in Technology and mentored girls in Girls, Inc., I’ve realized that advancements in cyber security careers for women won’t happen on their own. The most effective way to get young women on a cyber security career trajectory is to provide role models that they can relate to and provide an overall environment that encourages girls to become interested in technology and mathematics.
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