Men outnumber women in cybersecurity by three to one, but more women are joining the field. The number of women in STEM positions is on the rise, and a new study shows they’re holding leadership positions at higher rates.
According to the latest ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Report, women working in cybersecurity make up 24% of the overall workforce. Back in 2017, women accounted for just 11%.
One local cyber–intelligence company tries every day to keep those numbers on the rise.
Sentar is a women-owned cyber-intelligence company headquartered in Huntsville. Thursday, at the Davidson Center at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, the company celebrated 30 years of work and empowering women in STEM all over the country.
And they even have their hand in the new Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, starting classes in Huntsville this fall.
We spoke with Amy Wilson, the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives with Sentar. She says, “We are looking forward to seeing the young minds that come out of that school.”
As one of the fastest-growing cyber-intelligence companies serving the National Security sector, Sentar uses their platform to encourage young women to consider a career in cyber tech. Amy Wilson says, “Seeing other women be successful in that environment is inspiring to young women as they come into the market.”
Women may be outnumbered in the field right now, but they’re headed to the top. Higher percentages of women hold leadership positions:
- 7% of women vs. 2% of men are chief technology officers.
- 28% of women reach C-level/ executive status while , only 19% of men do the same.
Amy Wilson tells our reporter, regardless of gender, Huntsville is the place to be. She tells us, “We’ve got NASA. We’ve got all manners of the military here. The FBI is coming into Huntsville.”
Women in cyber security and intelligence are generally more educated and younger. While 44% of men in cybersecurity hold a post-graduate degree, 52% of women do the same.
Amy Wilson says, “It’s not an industry that’s specific to males. There are lots of opportunities.”
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