Empowering Women in Cybersecurity: Lessons from the FS-ISAC Women’s Networking Event
Since its inception, the field of cybersecurity has struggled with a persistent gender gap. According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), women currently represent only 20% to 25% of the cybersecurity workforce. In other words, for every woman in the field, there are three to four men.
The cybersecurity industry stands to benefit greatly by attracting and retaining more women. Not only does the inclusion of diverse perspectives consistently have positive impacts across industries, but also the demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals has never been more urgent.
As cybercrime becomes more prevalent and cyberattacks grow increasingly sophisticated, roles continue to open up in the field — and many remain unfilled. Cybersecurity Ventures reports that, as of 2023, there are 750,000 open cybersecurity jobs in the United States alone, and 3.5 million globally.
However, empowering women in a field that has historically been dominated by men is no simple task. Leaders must address historical barriers that have deterred women from pursuing an education in STEM and must also tackle ongoing biases in modern workspaces.
How cybersecurity organizations are seeking to empower women
Several collectives have been founded specifically to empower women in cybersecurity, such as Women in Cybersecurity (WiCys), a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in cyber.
Increasingly, companies are taking action to encourage women to consider cybersecurity careers and creating initiatives aimed at increasing the number of women in the field. Some organizations have launched educational and professional development opportunities, such as mentorship and internship programs, geared specifically toward women.
Microsoft, for instance, offers a Cybersecurity Certification Scholarship Program designed to address the growing need for cybersecurity professionals by equipping the next generation of women with the skills that they need to enter the workforce.
Other companies are hosting networking events, webinars, and conferences focused on fostering female talent in the industry.
In October 2024, the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), an industry consortium dedicated to reducing cyber risk in the global financial system, hosted a women’s networking event as part of its Fall Summit.
The event brought together women from across the financial services industry, and provided a meaningful space for attendees to engage in conversations about career growth, leadership, empowerment, and the critical role that all cybersecurity professionals play in fostering inclusivity within the industry.
Here are some key takeaways from the event, including strategies for women who are navigating the field, and for those who are seeking to empower them.
Networking as a tool for growth
The event began with an inspiring keynote by Sue Harnett, founder of Rewriting the Code, who spoke on the essential role of networking. Acknowledging the challenge that many women feel when trying to make initial connections, Sue highlighted active listening as a core skill in effective networking. Her insights set the tone for an afternoon focused on growth and connection, reinforcing that networking isn’t just about expanding professional circles but about building a supportive community of advocates.
Many attendees shared personal examples of how networking has played a pivotal role in their career development by helping them to connect with mentors, gain new perspectives, and open doors to opportunities.
Because networking is so crucial to career growth, confidence, and industry retention, the onus for seeking out networking opportunities should not fall on women alone. Companies can encourage networking by fostering connection within their organizations, hosting events, and sponsoring trips to conferences.
Sharing strategies for success
As the evening continued, participants experienced the power of networking and community-building firsthand, as they traded personal strategies for developing leadership skills and furthering their careers.
One common discussion theme centered on the idea that daily, incremental actions can drive meaningful career growth. Several participants agreed that success comes not just from setting big goals, but from creating systems that support daily improvement. Pulling wisdom from Atomic Habits by James Clear, they discussed how even small improvements can lead to significant, cumulative progress — reinforcing the idea that lasting success is built on sustainable, daily habits.
The group also shared their thoughts on how small, consistent actions can help shape leadership identity. By consistently practicing the values we wish to embody as leaders, such as integrity and empathy, we can develop the leadership identity we aspire to have and create a foundation of consistency that allows us to stay resilient under pressure. Showing up early to meetings, actively listening, and following through on promises were identified as powerful actions that build trust and credibility over time.
Finally, the group discussed actionable steps to ensure that more women are represented in leadership positions. Many group members remarked on how events like the FS-ISAC women’s networking event create spaces for these crucial conversations.
These discussions made one thing clear: When women support women, they foster an environment of empowerment and collaboration by rejecting the biases that have historically helped to keep the gender imbalance in cybersecurity intact.
By opening up more spaces for women to candidly share strategies and support one another with career advice, organizations can empower more women to succeed in the field.
Building confidence through mentorship
Because cybersecurity is a male-dominated industry, many women face unique challenges as they navigate their careers. In the midst of these challenges, it can be easy to feel alone. Attendees had candid discussions about building resilience and the importance of finding support. Mentorship was a key focus, and many attendees highlighted the critical role mentors play in helping women navigate the complexities of the industry.
For many women, mentorship inspires confidence. Several attendees shared personal stories of how mentors have helped them grow in their roles and overcome obstacles — and have encouraged them to remain steadfast in their goals, even when faced with challenges.
Companies can help foster mentorship in a number of ways. One way is to create internal mentorship programs by connecting entry-level employees with mentors in higher-level positions. Another is to offer training and educational opportunities to employees. Many organizations also offer programs that match students or early career professionals with more seasoned mentors in the field. Becoming involved with these types of programs can help empower the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
The power of community
The FS-ISAC women’s networking event was an important reminder of the power of community and mentorship in advancing women in cybersecurity. As women continue to break down barriers in this male-dominated field, it’s essential that they take opportunities to support and empower one another.
Encourage further conversations and connections by sharing your thoughts on leadership, career growth, and mentorship. How can women continue to support one another in the cybersecurity industry? And how can IT, tech, and cybersecurity companies do more to ensure that they’re equipping women with the tools they need to thrive?
Learn more
Read about Akamai Chief Information Officer Kate Prouty’s experiences as a leader in a male-dominated field and benefit from her advice to women in tech.
