Cyber security is a vital consideration for businesses now, with companies needing to be both adaptable and agile given the propensity for cyber attacks. With this becoming a bigger priority, the cyber security sector faces an alarming lack of representation, and has done so for some time. For those companies striving for more inclusivity and diversity across all characteristics, this poses a problem.

If organisations are to see firsthand how much stronger they can become in the wake of a cyber incident, they must address and encourage more diverse representation among their workforce. A diverse team presents many positives to an organisation, bringing a variety of perspectives and skills to problem solving situations. Similarly, organisations recognising and implementing reasonable adjustments, to ensure staff are properly supported and accommodated in their roles, contribute to a stronger, resilient and inclusive workplace culture. 

This blog explores the importance of diversity in cyber security, the obstacles to achieving it, and strategies to foster a more diverse, fair and inclusive environment in this crucial sector.

The Current State of Diversity in Cyber Security

The cyber security industry has earned a reputation - which has stayed with it for a long time - as a male-dominated field. Unfortunately, recent statistics continue to support and illustrate this trend.

In the UK alone, women represent only 29% of the cyber security workforce, according to recent data from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). Underrepresented groups face similar disparities in cyber security representation across the UK, based on a recent whitepaper from the UK Cyber Security Council. Despite some progress in encouraging more diversity within the sector in the last couple of years, much more needs to be done to close this gap.

The lack of cyber security diversity isn’t just a matter of extending equal opportunities to everyone; it’s a critical business issue. Evidence indicates that diverse security teams make better decisions, are more profitable, and are more likely to stay in a position for the long run.

Considering the severity and frequency of business cyber threats - which cost the UK economy over £30 billion in 2023 and with SMEs experiencing a 42% increase in cybercrime - the more forward-thinking companies can be, the better chance they have of creating a strong team capable of successfully minimising threats.

Barriers to Diversity in Cyber Security

There are several factors which contribute to the lack of diversity and inclusion within the cyber security workforce. These include (but are not limited to):

• Outdated stereotypes that men only want to work in the field 

• The perception that women aren’t committed to such careers

• A noticeable disparity in STEM education among women and other underrepresented groups

• A resulting smaller talent pool of diverse candidates 

• The threadbare number of diverse leaders and role models in the field

• Unconscious biases in hiring and onboarding

• Unhealthy workplace cultures that inadvertently favour certain demographics

• A lack of tangible career progression and development opportunities

The Importance of Diversity in Addressing Cyber Threats

Diversity is all about equal parts fairness and effectiveness. With cyber threats growing with each passing day, diverse teams are better equipped to solve problems, challenge ideas, and innovate based on experience.

For instance, phishing and social engineering remain some of the most prolific and high-profile types of cyber attacks which affect businesses in the UK. These types of attacks are getting increasingly more sophisticated, convincing and difficult to spot, and when a team lacks diversity, oversights become more likely.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone a huge rise in recent years and, consequently, so have the alarming reports of serious chatbot security risks. A further concern is that AI can also perpetuate biases and misinformation. However, diverse teams with varied backgrounds and experiences can identify such inaccuracies and use them to build a more robust, cohesive strategy for cyber defence.

Diverse perspectives can help organisations solve a wider range of complex problems relating to cyber threats, from vulnerability detection to incident response. Any team’s collective experience and knowledge contribute to a greater all-round understanding of threats and their impact. Security measures can be enhanced to be more user-friendly and inclusive for a broader range of people. 

Strategies to Encourage Diversity in Cyber Security

Leaders and decision-makers in the cyber security space must make diversity a priority, lead by example, and allocate sufficient budget and resources to make the following happen.

Make Recruitment More Inclusive

Make a conscious effort to use gender-neutral and inclusive language in cyber security job advertisements and reflect that in any communications with them. Consider also implementing anonymous CV reviews to eliminate any unconscious hiring biases. This will ensure that you’re hiring skilled security talent based on their abilities. 

Offer Mentorship and Development Programmes to All

Alongside pay and skills gaps, cyber security has a job retention problem, but this can be counteracted by providing clear career progression paths for all your employees, whatever their backgrounds. This, alongside mentorship programmes between juniors and senior cyber security leaders, will also help to encourage underrepresented groups to stay in the field for longer.

Break Down Workplace Culture Biases and Disparities

Encourage open dialogue within your workplace about diversity and inclusion in cyber security, rather than silencing it. Celebrating a broad range of cultural events and holidays will also help diverse team members feel more welcome, and incorporating them into your calendar and marketing materials will also signal to stakeholders and customers that you value inclusivity. 

Proactively and Transparently Address the Pay Gap

Make a conscious effort to conduct regular pay equity audits for your team, and implement transparent salary bands. Offer equal and supportive parental leave policies, as well as remote and flexible working options.

Showcase Diverse Role Models

Highlight notable success stories and examples of diverse professionals breaking barriers within the industry and paving the way for a more impartial and inclusive future. This, along with encouraging diverse members to speak at industry events, will empower them and reinforce their sense of belonging.

Enhance Your Cyber Security

Addressing and encouraging diversity and inclusion in cyber security is a challenge that every business must face at some point. As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, the need for more innovative and inclusive solutions has arguably never been more important. With the right approaches and strategies, you can become a shining example in the very industry that is struggling to reflect the diversity of the world it's actually  trying so hard to protect.

At Diversifying Group, we understand how vital it is to build inclusive and diverse cyber security teams. Our Inclusive Recruitment services are designed to help organisations attract and retain top talent from underrepresented groups, ensuring your team is as innovative and resilient as the challenges they face.

By prioritising inclusive hiring practices, you can strengthen your cyber security efforts while fostering a more representative and supportive workplace. Contact us to discover how we can help you create a recruitment strategy that unlocks the true potential of diversity.