The last two years have made it more clear that computers and computing systems are central to the operation of any organization. So it is no surprise that businesses across industries are prioritizing cybersecurity to protect their systems and data against all threats and vulnerabilities.   Unfortunately, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing more quickly than companies can fill positions. A 2021 Cybersecurity Workforce Study found that there are 2.7 million unfilled information security positions worldwide. With the increasing number of cyber threats and greater opportunities for hackers to manipulate integral business data, the current cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by at least 65% to meet rising demands.

The Link between Skill Shortage and Lack of Diversity in Cybersecurity

As we’ve discussed above, recruiting the right talent in sufficient numbers is becoming an extremely challenging task. A sustainable fix to this problem is diversifying your recruitment pool in terms of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, background, economic qualifications, and industry experience.   As of now, studies show that not many steps have been taken to address the overwhelming whiteness and maleness of the cybersecurity industry and encourage people from underrepresented groups to enter the field. Only 20% of cybersecurity professionals identify as women, while 25% identify as black, indigenous, or persons of colour.

Benefits of a Diverse and Inclusive Cybersecurity Workforce

Offers Different Perspectives

Potential hackers are not homogenous—they come from diverse backgrounds and use various cyber-attack techniques. In this scenario, a diverse team will have more to offer in terms of multiple perspectives, innovation, problem-solving, and consensus-building.   Diverse, multi-faceted teams also have the potential to counteract the constantly evolving security threats and tactics by going beyond how things have always been done and discovering smarter, more efficient, and critical means of meeting company objectives.

Reduces Errors

The first facial recognition software struggled to identify women and people with darker complexions. This can directly be attributed to the fact that the engineering team failed to test the software on different facial structures and skin tones. A diverse team could easily avoid oversights like this one as they are proven to make better decisions than homogeneous ones.

Hiring Diverse Teams Is More Profitable

Companies that rank high for gender diversity on executive teams are  25% more likely to report above-average profitability than companies that rank low. The same is applicable to racial and cultural diversity.

How to Improve Diversity in Cybersecurity?

A successful cybersecurity team requires people with diverse life experiences, skills, and education. Hence, your recruitment efforts need to reach a wider audience. You need to take into consideration applicants from training programs that develop a core foundational understanding of systems and their vulnerabilities.   Make it explicitly clear that you’re looking to hire women, people of colour, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community to attract more diverse talent. You also need to make your hiring process more accessible to those with accessibility needs, so would-be applicants are not discouraged.   In our bid to help promote diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity, Computek College offers Computer Network and Cyber Security Engineer courses. If you want to build a successful career in a growing field and learn more about the courses we offer, call us at 416-321-9911 or visit our website today!