The world of cybersecurity is constantly evolving; from the technologies we use to the people who shape the industry.
From my early days as a software engineer to now, more than 25 years on, I’ve had a front‑row seat to this transformation and can attest to just how far we’ve come. But it’s clear that meaningful progress still lies ahead, particularly in terms of social advancement and inclusion.
While the number of women in cybersecurity has grown in recent years, they still account for just 17% of the UK cyber workforce, trailing behind the global average of 22%. Faced with a growing cybersecurity skills gap and increasingly volatile threat landscape, it’s imperative everyone in the sector ask themselves, “How can we encourage more women into cyber?”
Driving Change and Building Influence
In my current position as technical advisor EMEA, the focus is translating technical capabilities into real-world benefits. This enables partners to deliver meaningful value to customers in ways that extend far beyond product features alone. It also involves guiding organisations through the constant wave of regulatory change the sector faces. The introduction of DORA, NIS2 and CAF (the NCSC Cybersecurity Assessment Framework), in particular, has created a real demand for clarity. My role has included simplifying these complex requirements so organisations can understand what compliance looks like in practice.
Developing this messaging helped Gigamon clarify its position within the regulatory landscape. Our partners and sales teams went on to embed it within their own conversations, extending its reach across the ecosystem and demonstrating the value of clear, accessible communication. These opportunities: moulding narratives, informing strategy and shaping industry direction, should be accessible to far more women. When diverse voices are part of the narrative, the industry becomes stronger, more representative, and ultimately more efficient.
Creating Pathways: Encouraging Girls and Young Women into Tech
Successfully attracting more women into technical careers means laying the foundations long before they enter the workforce. Early exposure to STEM subjects and the diversity of opportunities available across cyber, engineering, and technical leadership is critical.
The next generation needs to hear from and engage with those currently thriving in these roles in order to believe they can follow the same path. Hosting industry events, speaking in schools, or maintaining a strong presence on platforms such as LinkedIn are all impactful ways to increase visibility and representation. These are some of the most powerful tools we have, and they should be used intentionally to normalise female success in technical fields.
Supporting Women Filling Senior Positions
Advocating for more women in cyber is a great first step, but we shouldn’t stop there. The next challenge is supporting their rise to the top of the profession. Today, 90% of women in tech want to lead, yet only a quarter believe they can. The sector must ask itself why this gap exists.
From my experience, success begins by building strong professional relationships within your team, across your organisation, and throughout the partner ecosystem. Passion and enthusiasm are visible to others and can open doors you didn’t even realise were there. This dedication is crucial and at entry level will take you a long way, but progression isn’t guaranteed. It demands consistent resilience, hard work and a strong sense of personal drive.
In tandem, organisations must actively nurture the ambitions of female employees and create an environment where achieving a senior role feels attainable. All leaders, regardless of gender, should make their female colleagues feel valued, supported, and encouraged to aim high.
As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, support for women must evolve alongside it, from inspiring early interest to enabling career progression and accelerating pathways into leadership positions. Leadership isn’t gifted; women must feel empowered to seize opportunities with both hands, knowing that they are capable of success.
