Advancing Gender Equality in 2025 and Beyond
International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 carries the powerful theme: ‘Accelerate Action.’ This theme calls on individuals, communities, and organisations to take decisive steps toward achieving gender equality. Despite ongoing efforts, at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, more than five generations, to reach full gender parity, according to the World Economic Forum. Such a timeline is unacceptable. Now, more than ever, we must accelerate action to break down systemic barriers and biases that hinder gender equality in both personal and professional spheres.
The Role of Women in Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, yet it remains deeply underrepresented when it comes to gender diversity. As of 2022, women accounted for only 25% of cybersecurity jobs, with projections suggesting an increase to 30% by 2025. However, leadership positions remain scarce for women, particularly in the UK. The challenge is guaranteeing this growth is meaningful, extending beyond entry-level roles to positions of influence and decision-making.
With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives under increasing threat due to shifting global political landscapes, it is crucial to keep the conversation about gender equality alive, even when formal policies may be at risk. Industry leaders must explore how to sustain progress and prevent regression in diverse hiring and inclusive workplace cultures.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Liz Harvey, Director of Product Research at Huntress, believes true growth comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone and embracing diversity in all its forms. She emphasises the importance of rejecting sameness and actively fostering inclusivity by challenging norms and making intolerance unacceptable.
“Build tolerance. Become the other,” Harvey says, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her perspective. From working as an AmeriCorps Construction Crew Lead at Habitat for Humanity, where she defied traditional gender roles, to immersing herself in different cultures while studying abroad, she has continuously sought opportunities to broaden her worldview.
She recalls joining community soccer leagues and summer camps organised by a religion different from her own, gaining first-hand insight into new beliefs and perspectives. Throughout her career, she has often been the only woman in the room, yet she has never let that limit her. Instead, she encourages others to step beyond familiar spaces, embrace discomfort, and contribute to a more inclusive world.
“Reject sameness. Embrace adventuring out of your comfort zone to evolve humanity,” Harvey urges. “Make intolerance unacceptable.” Her message is clear: true progress comes from diversity, curiosity, and the courage to challenge societal norms.
Joy Burkholder Meier, General Counsel and Chief Human Resources Officer at Black Duck, agrees that stepping outside one’s comfort zone is important. She attributes much of her career growth to mentorship, not through formal programs but through organic relationships with leaders who offered guidance and encouragement.
Meier stresses the importance of being prepared for opportunities, embracing challenges, and actively solving problems rather than merely identifying them. Her key advice is to work hard, be a problem-solver, and make others’ jobs easier to stand out and advance in your career.
On diversity, Meier states: “Diverse viewpoints lead to the best results. If we don’t problem-solve with these diverse customer bases in mind, then we will have blind spots. And for me, diversity means a lot of different things – not only people of varying gender, race, or nationality but also different educational backgrounds and experiences. A diverse team is going to win every time.”
Breaking Barriers and Driving Change
Dr. Ksenia Peguero, Director of Software Engineering at Black Duck, underscores the historical significance of International Women’s Day, particularly in Russia and other countries where it’s been observed for over a century. “Having grown up in the Soviet Union, International Women’s Day has always been important for me. Firstly, it was and still is a federal holiday in my home country and in many other countries. It was declared a holiday in Russia by Vladimir Lenin as a day to celebrate gender equality in labour and voting rights more than a hundred years ago. Secondly, although the agenda of the holiday has changed throughout the years, its main focus on women’s rights and the advancement of women in the workplace and in all spheres of life is as important today as it was a hundred years ago,” she explains.
Despite progress, gender disparities in pay, leadership opportunities, and household responsibilities persist, making the observance of this day more relevant than ever. In the tech industry, initiatives such as Girls Who Code and workplace employee resource groups (ERGs) are actively working to reduce bias and support women’s success. “In the technical field, women and allies have been working hard over the last few years to advance the success of women,” Peguero emphasises.
Aditi Gupta, Senior Manager of Professional Services Consulting at Black Duck, reflects on the slow but steady progress of women in STEM. “When I entered the technology workforce in India over 15 years ago, women made up roughly 12% of the STEM workforce. Growing up in my small Indian town, my exposure to professional women was primarily limited to teachers and bank employees, even though countless women contributed invisibly to the economy through informal labour. As one of the fortunate 8% of women enrolled in engineering programs then, I learned early on to pursue the less travelled path,” she notes.
Despite these challenges, research consistently shows that companies with diverse leadership financially outperform their peers by 25%. At Black Duck, initiatives like the Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) play a crucial role in bridging gender gaps by providing mentorship, sponsorship, and networking opportunities. “Our ERG works to increase the visibility and representation of women in the industry,” Gupta emphasises, reinforcing the importance of continued efforts to foster diversity in technology.
More Female Representation Will Drive Change
Women face higher rates of cybercrime and online harassment, making cybersecurity awareness a vital tool for personal safety but also providing exciting career opportunities and professional growth due to that experience.
Zoya Schaller, Director of Compliance at Keeper Security, emphasises the critical role of cybersecurity in protecting women from the unique threats they face online. “Women experience higher rates of cybercrime, online harassment, and privacy violations,” she explains. With most modern women having some form of online presence, understanding cybersecurity basics is essential for safeguarding personal information and maintaining control over digital identities.
Beyond personal security, Schaller highlights the growing career opportunities in cybersecurity, an industry that combines intellectual challenges with excellent compensation and rapid growth potential. “By joining this field, women can both protect their own digital lives and help safeguard others,” she says, noting that diverse perspectives strengthen the industry’s ability to combat cyber threats more effectively.
Increasing female representation in cybersecurity is about more than just filling positions; it’s about transforming the industry with fresh perspectives and problem-solving approaches. “When we expand the talent pool to include more women, we’re not only addressing the huge skills gap in the field, but we’re also bringing in new ways of thinking about and solving security problems,” Schaller points out.
Women’s ability to connect with people and communicate complex concepts in an accessible way makes a tangible impact, especially in designing security measures that users will actually adopt. “What good is a security solution if users find it so frustrating that they look for workarounds?” she asks. Women in cybersecurity also bring invaluable firsthand experience in tackling issues like online harassment and digital privacy, contributing to more effective solutions. Moreover, female leaders tend to uplift other women in the field through mentorship, fostering a ripple effect that benefits the entire industry. “A more diverse cybersecurity industry is better equipped to protect all of us in our increasingly connected world,” Schaller concludes.
Carla Roncato, VP of Identity at WatchGuard Technologies, also looks at how women’s experiences can open doors to career opportunities while addressing critical global challenges. “Today, approximately 850 million people around the world do not have an official ID or a digitally verifiable identification. This impacts their ability to access digital services, such as opening a bank account or applying for a loan. Women, in particular, are disproportionately affected by this identity gap,” she explains. This issue impacts countless communities, including those displaced by conflict and climate disasters, individuals facing housing insecurity, vulnerable youth without legal guardianship, and survivors of domestic violence seeking critical support.
Roncato stresses the importance of raising awareness around the need for digitally verifiable identification to enhance identity protection, reduce fraud, prevent identity theft, and provide broader access to essential services. She also encourages women to consider careers in technology and security, emphasising the opportunities in Digital Identity. “Digital Identity offers not just professional growth but the chance to create impactful change for women everywhere. There has never been a more important time to join this mission and help drive a more inclusive digitally secure future for all.”
Shaping the Future
Catarina Santos, Data Protection Consultant at Data Protection People, emphasises the vital role women play in shaping policies, enforcing regulations, and safeguarding data security. She highlights how gender diversity strengthens digital infrastructure and fosters public trust, making the industry more resilient and effective.
“On International Women’s Day, we acknowledge the critical role women play in the evolving field of data protection. As the digital world grows increasingly complex, their expertise is central to shaping policies, enforcing regulations, and ensuring that personal data is kept safe and secure. Women in data protection are instrumental in tackling the challenges of data security, compliance, and privacy in today’s interconnected environment. Their work helps build trust, protect individuals’ rights, and support the integrity of the digital infrastructure. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of diverse leadership and the ongoing need for excellence and innovation in the field of data protection.”
Teresa Jose, Consultant at Pentest People, reflects on her journey into cybersecurity, expressing excitement about her growth and learning in the field. “I was thrilled to enter the cybersecurity industry when I first joined Pentest People as a graduate consultant. I’m incredibly proud of how much I’ve developed my understanding of security within the extended digital environments of organisational structures,” she shares.
She encourages more women to explore careers in cybersecurity, acknowledging the industry’s gender imbalance, particularly in offensive security roles. “Compared to other fields, cybersecurity has fewer female role models, especially in offensive security. I believe more women should consider entering this space,” she says. For those looking to break into the industry, Jose recommends earning fundamental certifications. “Getting certified is a great way to build a strong foundation in cybersecurity and gain a solid understanding of the cyber environment,” she advises.
Natalia Lewandowska, a Security Consultant at Pentest People, highlights the inspiration that comes with being a woman in cybersecurity. “It’s incredible to see more women breaking barriers in this field, bringing diverse perspectives and strengthening the industry as a whole,” she says. The increasing presence of female professionals, including those at Pentest People, fills her with pride and motivation. “Knowing that we are paving the way for future generations to thrive in tech and security is truly inspiring,” she adds.
The Need for Collective Action
The message for IWD 2025 is clear: gender equality cannot wait until 2158. While massive strides have been made, the risk of regression is real, especially with DEI initiatives under threat. Women in cybersecurity and all industries must continue advocating for inclusivity, challenging biases, and accelerating action toward gender equality.
The cybersecurity industry is a prime example of how diverse teams produce better outcomes, bridge skill gaps, and enhance problem-solving. The time for action is now.
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