The security industry is facing a talent shortage, and one way to address this is to encourage more women to pursue careers in this field. At the recent AWS re:Inforce conference, a panel of women in tech shared their insights on the challenges and opportunities of working in security, and the need for more diversity in the field.
The panellists discussed the importance of representation and mentorship for women in tech. They emphasised the need for more female role models in leadership positions, as well as the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive work environment.
“When I look at other organisations, how approachable she is, how down to earth she is, how accessible… that’s the culture that you see not only represented on this panel, but just in terms of this vibe at re:Inforce and in our security community as a whole, it is one of, I got your back. I’m here to help you. What can I do to enable you? What can I do to unblock you? Where are you stuck? How do you want to solve this problem? It’s so collaborative. That’s what I love about this programme,” said one panellist.
The panellists also highlighted the importance of education and outreach to encourage more young women to consider careers in tech. They discussed the need for more programmes that introduce girls to STEM subjects at an early age, as well as the importance of providing scholarships and other financial support to help women pursue higher education in tech.
“I think you also have to start it much earlier. So over the long term, yes, I mean, we as professionals need to keep seeing the role ahead of us that we’re aspiring to. Right? That we’re, you know, seeking coaching and guidance ourselves that we want to to aspire to. But we also, I think, just as a civilisation need to start this much, much earlier for young students and young women,” said another panellist.
The panellists agreed that the security industry needs more diversity in order to be successful. They emphasised that women bring unique perspectives and skills to the table, and that a more diverse workforce will lead to better products and services.
The panel discussion was a reminder that the tech industry still has a long way to go in terms of gender diversity. However, it also highlighted the progress that has been made, and the many talented women who are making a difference in the field of security.
The panellists’ insights and experiences are a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about the challenges and opportunities of working in tech. Their stories are a reminder that women can and do succeed in this field, and that we need more women in tech to create a more innovative and inclusive future.
