Making Cybersecurity More Accessible for Women

Summary

A Huntress employee surveyed 14 women in cybersecurity about career paths, workplace experiences and advice. In this small, nonrepresentative sample, 71.4% said they had been made uncomfortable because of their gender.

Key points

• The author collected 14 responses, mostly from Huntress colleagues, and cautioned that the sample was small.
• Respondents described varied routes into cybersecurity, including prior technical interests, accidental entry, and transitions from other fields.
• Among respondents, 71.4% said they had been made uncomfortable in a field interaction because of their gender.
• Examples included harassment, assumptions about technical ability, dismissive treatment, and having ideas overlooked.
• Suggested resources included mentors, women-focused communities, entry-level learning platforms, certifications, and open-source projects.
• Respondents urged allies to listen, challenge discrimination, share credit, and make space for women’s contributions.

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