Too Few Women Cybersecurity Leaders

Cybersecurity field is dominated by men - Only 11% of all security professionals are women

Security PoliciesThere are too few Women Security Leaders - At a recent conference on Cybersecurity there was not a single women on the panel. That even with approximately 11 % of the total security workforce being women was striking.

In study (Frost & Sullivan) of the male versus female security workforce by major global region, North America had the greatest percentage of women in security roles. The study found:

  • North America 14%
  • Asia-Pacific 10%
  • Africa 9%
  • Latin America 8%
  • Europe 7%
  • Middle East 5%

Many of the women in the security work force have more education than men, but men continue to outnumber women by nine to one.

In a study of the gender gap in roles and compensation that we conducted by our firm we found:

  • Of the IT professionals paid over $125,000 are more likely to be men the women
  • Women are a greater percentage of those paid under $50,000

Pay Gender Gap

Gender Gap Could Impact Long-Temp Employment Opportunities

Over time, this disparity could limit the experiences that will be necessary to become a Cybersecurity leader. There are signs of this happening today, especially in Europe and the Middle-East.

For more on this topic click here.

Current Compensation


NOTE: the table below is updated automatically with the latest IT salaries when a new salary survey is published. That happens every January and June. The historical data is available.

Latest Median IT Salaries

Latest Mean IT salaries
For the latest data go to the current IT Salary Survey


Staff level positions other than security

Compensation for women typically is on par within the IT Infrastructure as the key component for pay is knowledge and work experience. In IT women have the ability to more from on organization to another. In addition with the increase in workers who can work remotely, single mothers now have an opportunity to work while they take care of personal matters at home.

With that change the issue of 9 to 5 in the office disappears and opens the door for not only women but others who have demands based on other responsibilities to compete for high paying positions.

Management positions

For higher level positions, women have and are now no longer rarities. The percentage of women in the role of CIO in traditional organizations is rising. In addition the number of women who are the CEO of technology companies is now at a parity with men.