4 REASONS WHY WOMEN SHOULD CONSIDER A CAREER IN CYBER SECURITY

Cyber security is one of the fastest expanding businesses in the UK and throughout the world, with no indications of slowing down. Cyber criminals are always inventing and adapting in order to find new ways to hack, attack, and steal information online. It's a rapidly growing sector with several opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career in it. Cybersecurity professions, like many other technologically focused sectors, are overwhelmingly dominated by males.

The gender gap in cyber security is one that is regularly talked about.

The gender imbalance in the cyber security sector is one of the most apparent irregularities. Women make up just 11% of the worldwide cyber workforce, according to a recent survey from the Women's Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC). Women are sorely underrepresented in cyber security and often don’t see the occupation as a viable option due to a number of factors such as a lack of female role models within the industry, stereotyping and pay gaps.

Many businesses are beginning to see the value of having a gender-balanced workforce, particularly in fast-paced areas like cybersecurity. There are numerous reasons why this is an excellent career choice for women.

We've compiled a list of reasons why women might consider pursuing a career in cybersecurity:

1. Job Diversification

Cybersecurity is not confined to a single type of employment; it comprises a wide variety of positions in many areas and industries. Each area of cyber demands a unique and specialised skill set, from forensics to incident response strategy to counselling large corporations.

Working in cyber is also highly varied in terms of day-to-day responsibilities; with the environment continuously evolving, no two days are same. Multitasking and a great aptitude for problem-solving are required to solve cyber security issues. It is, without a doubt, a fascinating industry to be a part of.

2. Flexibility

One of the greatest barriers women face in their professions is a lack of professional flexibility. Unfortunately, childcare is still primarily the responsibility of women, making strict work environments challenging for women who wish to strike a healthy work-life balance while simultaneously achieving success.

Because most of the work in cybersecurity is done online, many positions lend themselves to flexible working hours and remote work.

3. Financially Rewarding

The cyber security industry is an extremely rewarding career path, especially at the moment where this skillset is in demand. The average salary for a cyber security analyst is around £51,000, with a career in the industry leading to a salary upwards of £70,000.

4. Boost Innovation

It has been established that having a higher percentage of women in the workforce increases team productivity and creativity, both of which are critical in the cybersecurity sector. We can enhance the potential talent pool and build a more strong workforce to meet the rising cyber threat of the upcoming years if we have more women in cyber.