It’s no secret there is a noticeable gap when it comes to diversity in the technology industry.
Whilst positive strides are being made, the statistics show there is still a lengthy way to go – according to Women in Tech’s 2023 survey, women only account for 26 percent of the IT workforce.
Representation matters in the workplace, and by levelling the playing field, companies can encourage different voices to have a chance to shine and introduce fresh thinking.
Why choose a career in cyber security?
Diverse Specialisation Options
Cyber security has a vast array of specialisms. Whether that’s penetration testing, incident response, threat intelligence or another area, individuals can focus on specific pathways that best align with their interests, passions and expertise.
Intellectual stimulation
Jobs in cyber security come with their own unique set of challenges, and thinking outside the box is a must. Coming up with creative solutions to complex problems is regularly needed, and the rate at which cyber threats evolve and change ensures work remains engaging and interesting.
Continuous learning and development
Thanks to its rapid-paced environment, and the sheer scale of cyber threats and emerging threat actors, cyber security is consistently evolving and updating, which means there is always opportunity to acquire new skills and refine knowledge. Cyber security professionals must stay ahead of the curve by constantly educating themselves on the newest tools and techniques.
My story
Breaking into a new career, especially something as technical as cyber security, can seem daunting. However, there are plenty of routes into the industry, many of which are designed specifically to help level the playing field.
I graduated with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, which provided me with a solid technical foundation, but lacked the specialist knowledge needed for a career in cyber security. After deciding I wanted to pursue a more challenging and fulfilling career – and being inspired by my cousin who worked in cyber security herself – I enlisted in a boot camp to get to grips with the new terminology and technicalities needed to work in cyber. Gaining that hands-on experience allowed me to hone my skills and knowledge in endpoint detection, vulnerability management, and SIEM, and eventually led me to my current career at Norm.
In my day-to-day job, I am now responsible for keeping important businesses safe from emerging cyber threats. I continuously analyse the risk landscape and make decisions based on the severity of threats. It’s a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same. What is constant, however, is the enjoyment and support I get from working alongside my team of fellow threat-hunters!
Ways women with a non-cyber background can break into the space
It may be slightly more challenging to break into cyber security without relevant experience, but it’s certainly not impossible. Different routes include:
Bootcamps are intensive training programmes, designed to bring individuals up to scratch on several imperative cyber security principles in a short amount of time, often not requiring any previous experience. Perfect for those who want to quickly get up to speed on fundamentals such as coding, incident response, threat intelligence and so on, boot camps can be studied full time or part time, offer accreditations or guaranteed interviews upon successful completion, and may even be subsidised by the government.
Training roles
Cyber security training roles attract prospective candidates with no prior experience in the field, helping to build their knowledge from the ground upwards. Rather than the fast-paced, crash course style of boot camps, training roles take time to train people across multifaceted areas of cyber security with the aim of providing deep knowledge in their respective fields.
What you’ll need – and what you might already know
Hard Skills
When embarking on a career transition into cyber security, it’s worth evaluating whether you have any transferable “hard skills”, meaning any technical abilities or knowledge you already possess. If you have previously worked in a technical field, you may already have an understanding of certain IT or technological skills, which will help you fill in knowledge gaps in your new career.
Soft skills
If you are transitioning into cyber security without any previous technical work experience, it’s unlikely that you will possess any technical hard skills – but the good news is that you probably have “soft skills” that can contribute to workplace success. Soft skills refer to non-technical abilities, often based around time management, communication with stakeholders, teamwork and so on, that employers look for when recruiting. A career in cyber security will require you to work well both individually and as part of a team, have acute problem-solving skills, be able to effectively manage your time, and adapt to new challenges, to name but a few qualities.
My message to women looking to get into cyber
My advice to any female starting out in the tech industry generally is that you take time to recognise and utilise your strengths. Skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential, and many of us are naturally good at these things. Embracing these strengths and continuously learning are key to excelling.
Despite the fact that cyber security may feel like a male-dominated industry, there is strength to be found in your diversity, and it’s amazing to see more women join the field and continue to foster an environment of inclusivity and innovation.
