By: Emeje Fatima, McKesson Corporation
The cybersecurity industry consists of only 25% women in its workforce. The situation results from a variety of contributing factors such as the lack of enough female models in the industry and stereotypes. Also, women are generally paid less in the industry compared to men an issue that reduces their interest in advancing their careers in the industry. The fact that the industry is male-dominated leads to women facing micro-aggressions an issue that further worsens the situation. Analysis of the situation shows that there are stereotypes in society about women in the industry. In the process, women lack social support in working in the industry.
Causes
The difference in wages between men and women in the tech industry plays a major role in reduced interest from women. The basis of the challenge according to Branley-Bell et al. (2022) is the male dominance in the field. Irrespective of women having similar skills with men they still get paid less. The situation reduces morale among women and prevents them from entering into the industry. Additionally, there are stereotypes and biases against women in the cybersecurity industry. The stereotypes prevent women from getting social support from their communities. In the end most wind up picking careers that are socially acceptable. The tuition fee and the length of time taken to complete the courses are part of the reasons most women avoid the cybersecurity industry. Most women have to take loans and work part-time to pay for the tuition fee for a career in cybersecurity. The situation is worse for women with families as they have to balance school, work, and family. The fact that courses in the industry are academically demanding and challenging worsens the situation. In the end, most women steer away from the impending debts and lack of time that are associated with the courses and avoid them in totality.
Impacts
With fewer women in the cybersecurity industry, there are missed career opportunities for women. The basis of the argument is that the current economic times need women to have equal opportunities in all industries to be productive members of society. Additionally, the situation robs the industry of the potential business talent that women would introduce (Lingelbach, 2018). The more women avoid the tech industry, the more women who fail to have critical technological skills. Analysis of the situation shows that using the internet, for instance, is part of human living. However, there are basic skills needed especially for personal security and safety. Unfortunately, the lack of interest in the industry prevents most women from acquiring such vital skills. Additionally, the general lack of women in the industry leads to a lack of proper presentation of women’s issues. In the process, the industry continues to operate without an adequate understanding of the importance of women. The situation plays a critical role in pushing the stereotypes and bias against women in the industry. Also, society continues to provide women interested in careers in the industry with the necessary support. The situation further alienates women from the industry.
Recommendations
One of the major ways of improving the situation is reducing the tuition fee. Universities and other institutions of higher education can work with state and federal governments to find ways to achieve this goal. The aim is to create incentives that would attract women into the industry and mend the disparity issue (Branley-Bell et al. 2022). Another approach that would attract more women into the industry is increasing their pay. If both men and women get paid equally for similar tasks and responsibilities, more women would remain in the industry while enticing others to join. Analysis of the situation shows that better pay reduces turnover rates an issue that would work towards having more women in the tech industry. The industry can also find ways of glamorizing the women working in the industry. The basis of the approach is to attract young women into taking the courses early before they get family commitments. Analysis of the approach shows that it could potentially reduce the social stereotype about women interested in the tech industry. The situation would lead to increased social support that would encourage more women to get into the industry.
Ultimately, the gender gap in cybersecurity results from a variety of factors. One of the reasons is the high tuition fee combined with the length and academic demands of the courses. Also, women interested in the industry lack social support and have to survive with stereotypes and bias. The lack of adequate women in the industry robs women of a chance to showcase their tech talent and skills. Also, it plays a role in furthering the associated stereotypes. Universities could work with the state to find ways of reducing tuition fees while the industry could equalize the wages between men and women. Such approaches have the potential to attract more women into the industry.