Part 1: How Women in Cybersecurity See the Industry’s Next Era of Leadership

This International Women’s Day, leaders across cybersecurity and enterprise technology say the future of the industry depends on expanding the influence of women across technical, strategic, and executive roles. Their voices reflect a growing recognition that the field’s next phase of innovation will require broader perspectives and leadership pipelines.

For Maria Cardow, Chief Information Officer at LevelBlue, cybersecurity’s success depends on recognizing that the field is fundamentally human.

“Cybersecurity is often seen as a technical field, but at its core, it’s about people. That’s why we need more women at the table. Diverse perspectives make us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared to anticipate risk from every angle. In a field that has historically been male-dominated, empowering women isn’t just about equity, it’s about building smarter, more resilient organizations. When women see themselves reflected in leadership, it sends a powerful message: you belong here, and your voice matters.”

The cybersecurity workforce has historically struggled with gender representation, but industry leaders say the stakes are now higher than ever. The rapid rise of AI, automation, and digital infrastructure means the next generation of cybersecurity leaders will influence how technology protects governments, businesses, and global economies.

Dwan Jones, Director of Inclusive Strategies and Engagement at the Center for Cyber Safety and Education at ISC2, believes those leadership decisions will shape the profession for decades.

"Cybersecurity will be defined by the people shaping its leadership and direction. In a profession entrusted with protecting critical systems and global economies, that responsibility carries weight. Expanding women’s representation across technical, nontechnical and executive roles influences how risk is understood, how strategy is set and how trust is built in the systems that power our daily lives.

The decisions organizations make now about advancement, visibility and authority will determine sustainability of the field in the years ahead. Progress will not happen by default. It requires sustained, collaborative and deliberate action. Initiatives like the Global 50x50 Initiative, powered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education and ISC2, reflect that commitment, working toward a future where women represent 50% of the cybersecurity workforce by 2050.

On International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring women are positioned to shape the future of cybersecurity at every level."

Across the industry, many women arrive through unconventional paths, bringing experiences that extend far beyond traditional computer science pipelines.

Lorri Janssen-Anessi, Director of External Cyber Assessments at BlueVoyant, says those varied backgrounds are increasingly valuable as cyber defense becomes more strategic.

“I find myself reflecting on how profoundly cybersecurity is changing, and how women in this field are uniquely positioned to lead in this moment. The threat landscape is no longer solely driven by human attackers working over weeks or months, it is increasingly shaped by automation, AI-enabled reconnaissance, and constant scanning at machine speed. There is a decisive transition from reactive to proactive defense, and security forward resilience. In the midst of this evolution, the role of women in cybersecurity is becoming more critical, not less. Women continue to shape strategy, influence risk decisions, and lead the shift to innovative and proactive thinking.

So many of my female colleagues came into cyber through unconventional paths that include the military, intelligence, engineering, policy, or governance. That diversity in experience is an advantage in a field that now demands systems thinking and cross-disciplinary leadership.

For me, International Women’s Day is a moment to recognize that the evolution of cybersecurity and the rise of women in cyber leadership are happening in parallel. We are mentoring the next generation, modernizing security practices, and helping organizations understand the real risk. The future of cybersecurity will not be defined by tools or technology, but by the people who are shaping it. It is important that women continue to have a seat at that table.”

Beyond leadership, many experts say a key challenge remains confidence and visibility in highly technical environments.

Jenny Lam, Lead Cyber Resilience Advisor at Immersive, says women in cybersecurity often underestimate the full range of skills required to succeed in the field.

“One of the most persistent challenges I see in cybersecurity isn’t technical—it’s confidence. I work with highly capable professionals who still question whether they’re ‘technical enough.’ That doubt is particularly common for women in our industry.

When women remain underrepresented in technical and leadership roles, it’s easy to internalize the sense that you constantly need to prove you belong. The high regard we have for technical mastery should be celebrated without detracting from the value of professional skills that underpin and progress our industry. Cybersecurity isn’t solely about technical depth. It requires strategy, communication, judgment, resilience, and the ability to manage challenges under pressure. No one is born with these skills; they are honed and developed just like any other.

This International Women’s Day, let’s stop asking women to behave a certain way to succeed and provide the space for them to own their expertise. This means the space to practise, make decisions, see their impact, to celebrate wins and reflect on improvements.

Confidence grows through experience and proving your own capabilities to no one but yourself. When we create that environment, the entire industry becomes stronger.”

For many women, cybersecurity is not just a technical career but a mission-driven profession.

Angela Spease, CEO of ISSE Services, says the purpose behind the work is what ultimately keeps people in the field.

“I didn’t grow up planning to work in cybersecurity. My path evolved as I stepped into leadership within our company and saw firsthand how critical security is to national defense and to the organizations that support it. What keeps me here is the mission. Cybersecurity isn’t just technical work — it’s about protecting people, preserving trust, and strengthening the systems our country relies on. Once I understood that impact, it became more than a career path; it became purposeful work.

As a woman in a defense-focused industry, there have been moments when I’ve had to establish credibility quickly and clearly. I learned early that preparation, professionalism and persistence matters. Over time, results speak louder than assumptions. As a leader who wants to promote diversity, the answer isn’t complicated: create access, mentor intentionally, and hold high standards for everyone. The defense community needs diverse perspectives because complex threats demand broad thinking — and strong leadership makes room for both.”

For many industry leaders, International Women’s Day is less about celebration and more about momentum. The progress women have made in cybersecurity reflects decades of persistence, mentorship, and structural change. The challenge now is ensuring that the next generation enters a field where leadership diversity is no longer the exception.