One of the main questions I asked myself when I entered the cybersecurity sector was: “why aren’t more women in this field?”. Although the answer may seem simple, I can assure you it is not.
UNESCO’s report “Cracking the Code: The Education of Girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)” exhibits a significant gender gap concerning women and girls who study and develop in these disciplines. So when analyzing the data, it is not atypical that it speaks for itself.
A universally acknowledged truth among the youth are the strong stereotypes around the idea that STEM studies and careers are male-dominated. UNESCO’s gatherings show that many women — myself included — stop being interested in technology careers on our teen years. I remember being 15 years old when my teachers discouraged my gals’ interest, engagement, and performance in STEM. I can even remember when I stopped loving math, — even though as a Montessori student I used to love them — , and I found myself pursuing a degree that did not included them.
So, when I spotted a young woman in the cybersecurity field, I found a needle in a haystack. Diana Tadeo’s role as a young female model in STEM has allowed me to be more curious about women’s role in cybersecurity. It has also improved my perception and attitude towards these disciplines and has allowed me to invest myself in how important is to drive an awareness community in motivating young females to venture into these areas.
Diana studied Computer Science. Cybersecurity wasn’t really into her learning plan. However, there was this one teacher and class that changed everything: “malware analysis”. It was a wide-opening experience, as Diana recalls.
“I was hungry for more knowledge. I started digging into more courses and topics that allowed me to learn more”.
Diana declares that the challenge — as a young female in the IT department — is the low percentage of women seen in this field. She recalls her beginnings in the degree with 10% of the participants being women. At the end of the course, she was the only one persisting with all male-colleagues. Fortunately, she has never undertaken any kind of discrimination. However, she is conscious that the stereotypes are one of the key factors for which women do not pursue a career in science.
“Women can study whatever they want, but there is a severe lag on bringing these topics closer for young females to be interested. When someone said to me: ‘Hey, you can study science’, it might have been obvious for other people, for me it wasn’t as easy.”
Diana is a rock star in rising. Lately, I have learned that the field of cybersecurity opens up numerous opportunities for professional development and represents an important source of employment worldwide since the digital market demands a great number of professionals. As she has pointed out:
The cybersecurity world is rising and will continue to grow. As a woman entering this sector, her future is shining as bright as possible. She even jokes about it. “Yes, a doctor will always be needed, but nowadays we need to protect and look after what lets us be connected. Believe me, a cybersecurity engineer has never been as required as now.”
I hear you, Diana! Cyberattacks have been called out as a major worldwide threat by the World Economic Forum. For young people that might not be as technical as Diana, she has one main piece of advice for us:
Always be well informed on what’s going on in the world! And definitively use well-trusted sources. You can learn first-hand if you might need to change your password on Facebook, and information for your digital wellbeing!
The role of women in technology has only increased in recent years and will continue to do so. I have the great privilege of coming into contact with women who serve as example for young females to discover future professional and work opportunities in the field of cybersecurity.
Undoubtedly, some challenges still need to be overcome, which is why more young people must start breaking old stereotypes and be more vocal on taking an interest, inviting and venturing into these areas.