International Women in Cyber Day, recognized on September 1st, serves as a poignant reminder of the progress and challenges women face in the cybersecurity industry. While significant advancements have been made, systemic barriers continue to hinder the career trajectories of many women.
Isabel Castillo, a Lead Information Security Engineer at Lastwall, highlights a concerning trend regarding perceptions of intelligence in children. “A study performed by the University of Illinois, NYU, and Princeton University showed that by age 6, girls are more likely to think boys can be ‘brilliant’ and are ‘really, really smart’ — a stereotype that continues to be fueled by media, compliments, and marketing,” she explains. Castillo emphasizes that messages from childhood culture often prioritize beauty over capability for girls, which could contribute to the ongoing gender disparities in cybersecurity careers.
Ruth Okofu, an InfoSec Operations Engineer at Lastwall, echoes these sentiments and offers insight into her experiences in the field. “In my career leading teams through tough security and compliance programs, I’ve seen how often women are underestimated or overlooked in cybersecurity,” she notes. Early in her career, Okofu observed a lack of female presence during critical decision-making sessions, which she believes stifles the potential contributions of skilled women in the industry. However, she points out, “But I’ve also seen the difference when women are trusted to lead. They deliver results and bring new perspectives that strengthen how teams approach problems.” Okofu calls for greater efforts to elevate women into leadership roles to ensure their expertise is recognized and utilized.
Steps Toward Progress
Okofu emphasizes that organizations need to implement concrete strategies for change. These include creating equitable promotion pathways, actively sponsoring women for decision-making roles, and ensuring that their voices are included in conferences, research, and leadership discussions. “Cybersecurity is about resilience. Resilience comes from diversity. Empowering women isn’t just inclusion — it’s a strategy for a stronger, more secure industry,” she asserts.
Castillo adds that the transformation needs to begin at an early age. “To see meaningful change, we must begin sending the message to girls that they are incredibly intelligent, smart, and equally capable of performing complex tasks,” she advocates. Educational initiatives should highlight women’s achievements across various disciplines and promote constructive engagements with technology. Additionally, integrating engineering-focused toys and creating gamified cybersecurity experiences could foster a more inclusive environment for both girls and boys. “Animation can portray geeky, techy heroines who are celebrated for their determination, resilience, diligence, and tech-savviness,” she suggests. With a concerted effort to broaden societal messages about girls’ potential, Castillo believes more women will ascend to leadership positions.
