In honor of Women’s History Month, we hosted the LinkedIn Live, DEI Activists Discuss New and Old Obstacles for the Cybersecurity Industry. The discussion joins Deidre Diamond, Founder and CEO of CyberSN, Stacey Champagne, Founder & CEO of Hacker in Heels, Amy Bogac, Chief Information Security Officer at Baker Tilly US, and Juliet Okafor, Founder & CEO of RevolutionCyber. These leaders discuss the evolving challenges facing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the cybersecurity sector and explore actionable strategies to navigate these hurdles.
The cybersecurity industry has made strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion, but progress remains fragile. “Women only comprise 22% of the cybersecurity workforce”, according to an ISC2 Study. As corporate priorities shift and public scrutiny grows, many DEI efforts are being questioned, slowed, or sidelined altogether. Deidre’s recent LinkedIn poll revealed that, “57% think the recent elimination of DEI programs will negatively affect your career.”
Juliet highlighted this regression, noting, "It feels like we’re back in the days of being told to wait our turn. We’re seeing the rolling back of DEI programs even as the need for them increases."
Organizational policies significantly influence workplace culture. Recent shifts have posed challenges for DEI efforts, calling for adaptive strategies to maintain inclusive environments. Amy observed, "A return to the office has amplified microaggressions and isolation for many,” adding that, “when DEI isn’t part of the cultural fabric, those tensions surface quickly."
Deidre reinforced this point noting, “When leaders show up with empathy and curiosity, that’s when we see people feel safe, seen, and able to do their best work.” Addressing these issues requires intentional efforts to foster an environment where all employees feel valued and included.
The underrepresentation of women in cybersecurity leadership roles remains a pressing concern. According to WiCyS, 2024 Annual Report, “women hit a glass ceiling at the 6-10 year mark in their careers.” Meanwhile, according to an ISC2 Study, “women are also struggling to fully be themselves at work. More than one-third of respondents (36%) felt that they could not be authentic at work (compared to 29% of men), while 29% felt that they were discriminated against in the workplace (compared to 19% of men).”
Stacey emphasized the need for systemic change, stating, "We can’t fix diversity gaps by just checking boxes, we need to disrupt the pipeline and build it differently. That means creating programs and paths designed by women, for women." Initiatives like Hacker in Heels aim to create tailored pathways for women to enter and excel in cybersecurity careers.
Deidre highlights the link between DEI and cybersecurity effectiveness: "DEI and cybersecurity are connected. Team well-being impacts risk posture. We need inclusive, healthy teams to stay ahead of evolving threats." Fostering diversity and inclusion isn’t just about values, it’s a critical strategy for strengthening organizational resilience and performance. That is why we partnered with Cyversity, to advance diversity and inclusion within the cybersecurity industry, from entry-level positions to leadership roles.
To navigate the current landscape and reinforce DEI initiatives, organizations can consider the following approaches:
Here are some resources for women in cybersecurity: https://cybersn.com/resources-for-women-in-cybersecurity/
Here are some resources for military veterans in cybersecurity: https://cybersn.com/military-veteran-cybersecurity-resources/
The cybersecurity industry stands at a crossroads where the commitment to DEI is more critical than ever. By understanding the challenges, implementing actionable strategies, and drawing inspiration from leaders like Deidre, Stacey, Amy, and Juliet, organizations can navigate these obstacles and foster a more inclusive and effective cybersecurity workforce.For more insights, you can watch the full webinar recording here: DEI Activists Discuss New and Old Obstacles for the Cybersecurity Industry.
For support in building a diverse cyber talent program, learn more about how CyberSN can help.
