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March 8 is International Women’s Day, the perfect time to commemorate the social, political, cultural, economic, and, most importantly, technological achievements of women.
It’s not about just a single day, but instead, about spotlighting the valuable contributions of women in cybersecurity and technology every single day of the year. At Sicura, we’re dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions for security and compliance - but also championing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.
In fact, we’re excited to share this exclusive interview with Sicura’s CEO, Lisa Umberger, as she conveys her insights on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity - and the pivotal role women play in shaping its future.
Though the numbers are slowly rising, cybersecurity is, unfortunately, still a male-dominated field. Women held 25% of cybersecurity jobs in 2022, up from 10% in 2013, according to Cybercrime Magazine.
The biggest barrier? Young women are often not aware of or do not feel prepared for roles in tech, primarily because they rarely see relatable role models who motivate them to pursue careers in cybersecurity.
But the need for women in cybersecurity can’t be overlooked: cybercriminals come from varied backgrounds, and their crimes have different effects. The more diverse our workforce, the better equipped we’ll be to prevent and address problems.
Lisa Umberger, CEO at Sicura, has been a leader in cybersecurity and DevSecOps for many years, working hard to create teams and products that blend engineering and security. We sat down for an interview with Lisa, one of the world’s premier cybersecurity leaders, to learn more about her experience as a woman in IT.
A: I did! I’ve always loved science and technology. I didn’t necessarily know I would end up in IT, though. In fact, there was a time when I wanted to be a veterinarian, and my degree is actually in forensic studies. So definitely always into technology.
A: I started supporting the NSA right out of college. Obviously, there is a very IT-heavy focus there. I was soon introduced to cybersecurity and fell in love.
A: Perhaps in a few ways. I don’t think it ever really held me back, but certainly, earlier in my career, I felt like I had to prove myself and build credibility, maybe a little more than my male colleagues. But I have been really lucky to have been surrounded by supportive male colleagues who have appreciated my professional contributions to the team.
Something I still take note of is the disparity in the quantity of female vs. male colleagues I have. I would love to get to a point in tech where there are so many women that it isn’t something anyone notices anymore because it has become the norm.
A: I think like most leaders, some of it is my nature and the rest is about being passionate about my field. I am very passionate about cybersecurity and know that my leadership advances that mission forward. As the CEO, I have a greater impact and influence on the direction and outcomes of the work that Sicura does.
A: I think there are a lot of factors that influence that. Historically, I think it was much more based on cultural and societal norms that, in some ways, have persisted. Another factor is a lack of resources in networking and mentorship to support up-and-coming leaders.
The more networking, mentoring, and sponsorship opportunities from senior female leaders to their less experienced counterparts will really make leadership and top positions in tech more tangible and attainable.
Women often face unique challenges in balancing their professional and personal responsibilities, including caregiving duties and family commitments. A strong network and flexible work environment can help empower women to succeed in both their professional and personal lives.
A: Find a mentor and a strong female support network. Never give in to imposter syndrome. You have just as much right to be at the table and just as much value to bring as anyone else.
Organizations, policymakers, and society can collectively contribute to fostering environments where women are afforded equal opportunities to excel and progress into leadership roles. Be part of that movement.
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Sicura is proud to work with two powerful organizations - Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and Girls Who Code - to help bridge the gender gap, advance diversity, and to work toward elevating women in cybersecurity.
Women in Cybersecurity is an organization that works tirelessly for the inclusivity and representation of women in the cybersecurity field. It has a commitment to fostering professional growth, networking opportunities, and mentorship, empowering women to thrive. It offers strategic partnerships, educational programs, and engaging events, all with the goal of promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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Girls Who Code is a renowned nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology by inspiring and supporting young women. This movement offers comprehensive programs that provide opportunities for girls to explore coding, robotics, and other technical domains, all while fostering a supportive community. Girls Who Code goes far beyond basic technical proficiency, also emphasizing leadership development and mentorship.
“Honor a woman’s intellectual power and her willingness to contribute to it—especially in a group setting. When the words ‘That’s actually not a bad idea’ are replaced by ‘Good idea!’, we’ll be living progress.” -Amanda Arnold (Veteran and Cybersecurity Sales Executive)
“International Women's Day celebrates generations of progress and the theme #InspireInclusion couldn't be more appropriate for women in cyber and technology. Differences are valued and essential in cyber. Curiosity, collaboration, and inspired individuals result from diversity, not to mention proven performance improvements and bottom-line increases!” -Teresa Shea (Advisor, Contributor, Leader, Former Director Signals Intelligence, National Security Agency)
“The idea that women are natural risk modelers and managers has gained traction...in the field of cybersecurity, which is fraught with uncertainty and risk, more women in the cybersecurity workforce has become a must-have, not a nice-to-have.” - Anne Marie Zettlemoyer, CyCognito CISO and National Security Institute fellow
“Girls need to see other women as role models in cybersecurity positions. The reality is that there aren’t enough women in tech, so it’s good to provide platforms that then give a stage to the women in the industry that other girls and the younger generation can look up to — even not just the younger ones, but people from outside of our industry can look at and say, ‘Well if she can do that, I can also do that.’... as long as you have an attitude for learning, and interest, and curiosity, you’ll love this field because you’ll never stop learning. I guess that’s my message [for young girls] to join us if it sounds interesting.” - Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy at KnowBe4 Africa.
Though the gender gap is slowly closing in the cybersecurity industry, we must keep exploring initiatives that foster the equal representation of women. From scholarships and mentorship programs to networking events and educational resources, there are all kinds of opportunities we can support to help women excel in cybersecurity.
If you’re passionate about championing diversity and inclusivity in cybersecurity, consider working with Sicura. Our commitment to fostering an environment where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive aligns perfectly with our dedication to innovation and overall excellence.
Let’s make gender inequality a thing of the past! Choose Sicura and become part of a diverse, inclusive community - one that prioritizes diversity and welcomes anybody who is talented, hard-working, and passionate - and help us shape the future of cybersecurity.
Ready to maintain secure and compliant infrastructure focused on cost, automation, and consistency?