UC Library jobs
Women now make up almost a quarter of the cyber security workforce, according to a study that uses a more accurate methodology, claims (ISC)² – the world’s largest non-profit association of certified cyber security professionals.
Past (ISC)² research had estimated the percentage of women working in cyber security at 11%, but with a change to research methodology – including surveying IT/ICT professionals who spend at least 25% of their time on cyber security responsibilities, the estimate has risen to 24%.
While the stronger representation of women in the cyber security workforce is encouraging, (ISC)² said the 2019 Women in cyber security report indicates that challenges such as wage inequality remain.
“The data confirms what we’ve been seeing for the past few years on the ground. More women are coming into the field of cyber security with post-graduate degrees and not only working in the trenches, but also in the C-suite,” said (ISC)² CEO David Shearer.
“Women in high-level positions will foster more inclusion and inspire young women to join the industry, and there are certainly many exciting opportunities available for those seeking to inspire a safe and secure cyber world. Diversity only makes us stronger.”
Signs of progress
The data shows that the newest generation of professional entrants into cyber security is more female than in the past, with 45% of women being millennials, compared with just 33% of men. This is expected to change the face of the cyber security profession in the years to come.
Women also bring higher levels of education to cyber security, the study shows. More women (52%) in the survey hold a post-graduate degree compared with just 44% of their male counterparts.
The report also found that although men still outnumber women in cyber security by about three to one overall, women in the field are advancing to leadership positions. According to survey respondents, higher percentages of women than men are attaining senior leadership and decision-making positions.
Among chief technology officers, 7% are women, while 2% are men. In the role of vice-president of IT, 9% are women, while 5% are men. Among IT directors, 18% are women while 14% are men, and women make up 28% of those in C-level or executive roles compared with 19% for men.
“It’s an encouraging sign that more women are succeeding in cyber security and moving up through the ranks,” said Jennifer Minella, vice-president of engineering & security at Carolina Advanced Digital and chairperson of the (ISC)² Board of Directors.
“For many years this hasn’t been the case, and we need to continue to do all we can to make ours a welcoming profession for the most talented and innovative individuals, regardless of gender,” she said.
Challenges remain
While there is evidence of progress as more women enter into and succeed in the field of cyber security, the report also indicates that pay inequities persist.
The data shows that 17% of women globally reported annual salaries between $50,000 and $90,000 compared with 29% of men, and 15% of women earn between $100,000 and $499,999, while 20% of men earn at least that much.
The report indicates that despite these differences, men and women share a lot of the same concerns about their roles, including lack of commitment from upper management, the reputation of their organisation, risk of seeing their job outsourced, lack of a good work/life balance, the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) reducing the need for cyber security workers, and a lack of standardised cyber security terminology to communicate effectively within their organisations.
Results presented in the report are extracted from the 2018 Cyber security workforce study, conducted by (ISC)² and Spiceworks in August 2018.
source computerweekly
Industry: Cyber Security News
Latest Jobs
-
- Senior Client Microsoft Security Delivery Consultant - Hybrid (London | Remote)
- London
- N/A
-
Senior Client Microsoft Security Delivery Consultant - Hybrid (London | Remote) We are seeking an experienced technical Security Consultant to help clients deploy and enhance their cyber defences across Microsoft and vulnerability management technologies. You will work with enterprise customers to deliver tailored solutions across threat detection, endpoint protection and exposure management, ensuring security platforms are efficient, integrated and aligned with operational goals. Whilst you won't do the design yourself- you will work alongside technical Presales to document, agree and then deliver the solution. You will have experience leading delivery the implementation and improvement projects, providing hands-on support with configuration, integration and optimisation. You will assess existing environments, recommend enhancements and guide clients on best practice to strengthen visibility and control. Strong experience with SIEM, XDR and vulnerability tooling (Microsoft & Tenable ecosystems ideal) Understanding of Azure security, identity and access controls Background in consulting or project-based cyber delivery Clear communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders Extra points if you have the SC-100. You must be eligible to achieve UK Security Clearance to be considered for this role.
-
- Account Director | Cyber Security Consulting | UK - South East
- London
- N/A
-
Account Director | Cyber Security Consulting - Financial Services | UK - South East. New Role due to Growth We are looking for an experienced Account Director to develop and expand existing relationships across the financial services sector, working with investment firms, asset managers, private equity groups and strategic partners to deliver intelligent cyber consulting and a bespoke Cyber product offerings. You will act as a trusted advisor, helping organisations strengthen digital resilience, manage third-party and regulatory risk and adopt a proactive approach to cyber assurance. Key Responsibilities Manage a defined portfolio of financial clients, understanding business priorities and aligning tailored cyber solutions. Drive new client engagement while nurturing existing partnerships through a consultative, long-term approach. Present the benefits of advanced cyber services including threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident readiness, and continuous risk monitoring. Collaborate with technical and delivery teams to ensure smooth engagement from proposal through to implementation and ongoing support. Prepare proposals, negotiate commercial terms, and clearly articulate value and business outcomes. Build trusted relationships at senior and board level. Ideal Profile Strong background in cybersecurity, consulting, or risk management within financial services. Skilled communicator with proven success managing and growing key accounts. Able to translate complex technical insight into commercial and strategic value for clients. Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and decision makers. Please note: Sponsorship is not available.
-
- SOC Analyst- Level 2- Hybrid Greater London
- London
- N/A
-
SOC Analyst- Level 2- Hybrid Greater London New opportunity created through continued growth. We’re looking for a SOC Analyst (Level 2) to strengthen a growing managed security team. You’ll work hands-on with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR, investigating alerts, responding to incidents, and helping improve how clients stay protected. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys unravelling security events, thinking critically under pressure, and making a real difference day to day. What you’ll do · Investigate and respond to security activity across SIEM and endpoint tools · Analyse network and log data to uncover real threats · Support automation initiatives to streamline response processes · Help maintain visibility, data flow, and performance across SOC platforms What you’ll need · Practical experience using Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR · Confident working with KQL or similar query languages · Understanding of attacker tactics and response techniques · SC-200 certifications would be nice. · Experience supporting multiple customer environments Please note: Sponsorship is not available.
-
- Senior SOC Engineer - UK - New role due to growth
- London
- N/A
-
Senior SOC Engineer – New role due to growth We are hiring a Senior SOC Engineer to take the lead across security operations for a growing managed service. You will lead detection, response and onboarding activity across multiple clients, helping shape how the SOC evolves. Expect variety; from fine-tuning alerts and threat hunting to supporting customers and mentoring junior analysts. What you’ll bring · Strong experience across SIEM, EDR, and threat detection tools · Confident working with customers in a managed service environment · Skilled in scripting or query languages such as KQL or PowerShell · Knowledge of frameworks like NIST, ISO27001, MITRE ATT&CK · Calm communicator with a problem-solving mindset · Experience with Azure Lighthouse or delegated access models · Prior involvement in automation or SOC improvement projects Location: South East England- Hybrid role Please note: Sponsorship cannot be offered now or in the future.