The global cybersecurity workforce gap has reached 4.8 million professionals, threatening organizations’ ability to defend against increasingly devastating attacks. Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman, examines how this shortage intersects with another critical gap: Women account for less than one in four cybersecurity professionals, creating a serious strategic weakness when diverse teams consistently prove more innovative and better at solving complex problems, making the cultivation of next-generation talent essential to protecting digital systems that power society.
For years now, digital transformation has been the mandate for just about every business and every industry. New and emerging technologies have shown tremendous value and helped drive progress in critical areas like healthcare and financial services.
But that success and innovation does not come without risk. With digital technology so deeply intertwined in the fabric of society, businesses must contend with serious vulnerabilities. We’ve all seen headlines of security breaches, outages and data leaks that bring devastating consequences, reverberating through entire economies and governments contending with cyber threats, to individuals whose personal information may be leaked and stolen by malicious actors.
It’s a fact that many are acutely aware of, as recent findings from Gartner show that end-user spending on information security is expected to soar past more than $200 billion this year.
Preventing disastrous consequences comes down to one thing — people. But demand for talent is rapidly outpacing supply. That makes the current wave of young professionals stepping out of school and into a new world defined by technological advancements more important than ever. In short, our ability to defend against cybercrime depends on a new generation of mission-driven professionals.
A cyber skills gap looms large
Protecting technology systems can mean the difference between a thriving economy or a cyber attack so devastating that it brings the world to a standstill. But even as the stakes rise, many businesses are struggling to find enough cyber talent to adequately support their security needs. In fact, the global cybersecurity workforce gap has risen to a staggering 4.8 million professionals globally.
For students and early-career professionals, cybersecurity represents more than a stable job. It’s a unique opportunity that gives future professionals strong earning potential, a wide range of career paths and an environment that rewards curiosity and problem-solving.
But beyond that, it also offers a deeper purpose, one that has a direct impact on the world. Whether it involves defending hospitals from ransomware, supporting governments in preventing cyberattacks or ensuring that AI technologies are used ethically, every contribution helps safeguard society. It is meaningful, mission-driven work that calls for both technical expertise and a commitment to doing good.
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Read moreDetailsClosing the gap(s)
Not only is the cybersecurity workforce gap quickly nearing 5 million, but when we dig deeper, another trend emerges: Women account for less than one in four cybersecurity professionals in today’s workforce. And while representation has been improving, that number is still far beneath where it should be. Particularly in the cybersecurity field, this level of underrepresentation isn’t just about checking a box. Failing to prioritize and cultivate a diverse set of professionals is a serious strategic weakness.
Cybersecurity, in part, is shaped by the world around us. Whether it’s bad actors looking to exploit an IT system’s weaknesses or an IT professional working to stop them, the common link is that it all stems from human behavior and experiences. This is why diversity matters to begin with. The best strategy to protect the world should reflect the way the world actually is. On the whole, diverse teams are shown to consistently be more innovative, more effective and better at solving complex problems.
With that in mind, there’s no better time than right now to start empowering and encouraging girls to explore STEM fields. Diving into these topics at a young age helps spark curiosity about the digital systems that power our world and gives those girls a way to visualize themselves as protectors of the digital future. The passion and drive that sets people toward a career in cybersecurity doesn’t always start in college. Inspiring students early can help shape a future where these jobs are some of the most coveted.
Building the skills to thrive
When it comes to getting into the space, oftentimes, a real deterrent comes from how women perceive the necessary skillset. It’s about so much more than just hard technical skills. Yes, coding and hacking are critical for this role, but those skills can always be taught and learned. Being successful in this field, and what many overlook, is the role soft skills like strategic thinking, communication, collaboration and even empathy have to play in cybersecurity.
Overcoming those lingering misconceptions is a task that today’s cybersecurity experts and employees have a responsibility to break down; this is especially true in the context of empowering more women to enter the industry. It’s a change that trickles down all the way to how we approach teaching computer sciences as early as high school. Expanded mentorship and internship programs can be a game-changer for guiding young women into these careers. Similarly, we need to see more organizations embrace inclusivity in the workplace to ensure diverse voices are heard and valued.
Cybersecurity offers a purpose-driven career
The good news for students and new graduates of any gender entering the workforce is that there has never been a better time to start pursuing a career in cybersecurity. And that doesn’t just mean going to college and working toward a degree in computer science. Getting started requires a desire to make a meaningful difference in the world and a willingness to learn.
It’s something that students can get involved in right away, from clubs to introductory courses. As students progress through their journey, embracing opportunities like internships extends that learning and provides valuable real-world insight into the industry. The possibilities are vast: Students could work their way into a policy-focused job aimed at tackling cybersecurity strategy, or they may want a hard coding and technical role, helping organizations stay protected with things like penetration testing.
Embracing the next wave of cyber talent
With a growing skills gap, cybersecurity faces a tipping point: rising stakes of cyberattacks and too few professionals to address the needs. Fortunately, there is a burgeoning generation of talent that is more than capable of helping protect our future. For those of us already ingrained in the industry, it’s a matter of empowering those young people to go out and grab it.
Avani Desai is a partner and president at Schellman & Co., a niche CPA that focuses on technology and security assessments. She is also CEO and co-founder of MyCryptoAlert, a push notification and portfolio app for cryptocurrency. Avani started her career working at a Big 4 accounting firm (KPMG) for over 10 years, where she led a team and oversaw IT risk management and privacy across national service lines. 
