Page 267 - Cyber Defense eMagazine August 2024

Women bring a number of unique strengths to the table when it comes to offering innovative problem-
solving and collaboration in group settings.

By encouraging and contributing individual experiences and acquired knowledge, women can help to
facilitate a much more holistic security approach. This can be done by adopting more nuanced
approaches to risk management, including penetration testing and security audits, as well as being an
active voice when it comes to raising important questions and thinking outside of the box.

Proven Leadership Capabilities

Successfully responding to security incidents requires leadership teams who can handle sustained
pressure while making calculated decisions. Even though women as a group have proven to bring
valuable leadership traits in professional settings, they still continue to be underrepresented in these
critical security leadership roles

Various studies have demonstrated that female leaders are often viewed as more trustworthy in times of
organizational crisis and when building more resilient teams. These skill sets can easily be applied to a
number of important organizational objectives, including meeting rigorous compliance standards or
certifications such as HITRUST or navigating various other industry regulations successfully.

Wide Range of Skill Sets

Women often bring a valuable mix of both technical and soft skills when entering the cybersecurity field.
This includes excellent listening skills, problem-solving, and the ability to manage various projects
successfully. While these abilities are unfortunately underutilized in certain roles, this doesn’t present an
opportunity for organizations to start getting more out of the security roles they put in place.

Having a wide range of skills at your disposal can be a great asset when executing important initiatives
like vendor risk management and ensuring security compliance. Having more employees who can clearly
communicate critical gaps in security protocols and work with outside parties to stay in alignment with
regulatory changes can be a huge asset for any organization.

Giving Future Female Cybersecurity Leaders the Platform They Deserve

Despite long-standing biases, organizations must work together to help improve the diversity in
cybersecurity leadership roles. By providing female professionals with more opportunities, resources,
and support, we can create a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone while furthering
advancements in all areas of cybersecurity.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – August 2024 Edition 267
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