One of the most important areas in tech, the UK's cybersecurity sector is said to be worth £10.5 billion. As the industry continues to grow, the percentage of women working in cybersecurity is increasing, but it is still heavily dominated by men.
Change is happening, though, as more companies actively change their recruitment processes to attract women into the sector. However, there's still a long way to go. According to the government’s 2023 cybersecurity skills in the UK market report, 17% of the cyber workforce is female, and women hold 14% of senior roles in the sector.
As a woman in cybersecurity, I’ve first-hand experience of the opportunities available and why it’s such a great industry for women to be part of. The more women enter the cybersecurity industry, the more role models young women will have, leading the way and highlighting the opportunities and skills to be gained from working in tech.
We have a great team of women at Brigantia who have a diverse range of skills. Together, we wanted to share our paths into the cybersecurity industry.
I sat down with them to discuss our experiences and routes into the industry. Here's what we had to say …
What was your route to working in the cyber industry?
Before joining Brigantia in 2020, I’d worked in sales roles but never in tech/cyberspace. When I first joined Brigantia, I initially communicated with existing partners and generated new business from them.
What was your first impression of working in the industry?
From my experience in sales, I was comfortable in the role I started, but what surprised me was the lack of women I’d speak to when talking to clients.
Have you noticed any changes to the number of women in the industry?
Over four years, I have noticed an increase in females. I hope the numbers keep rising. It's important for us to encourage women to enter the industry, which has welcomed me wholeheartedly.
Have you always wanted to work in the cyber industry?
From a young age, I was interested in the cyber world and knew I'd enjoy working in it.
What do you enjoy most about working in cyber?
It’s exciting to work in an environment focused on cybersecurity. I enjoy building relationships with MSPs over time and the different products they offer as the partnership grows.
How have you developed your skills whilst working in the industry?
Working in the cyber sector has increased my knowledge, providing me with an understanding of the internet that I didn’t have previously. I can now apply this key knowledge in my role at work, but I've also found it helpful outside of work.
How did your career begin in the cyber industry?
I joined Brigantia in 2020 as a Business Development Executive. My background was in recruitment, so moving into the cyber world was exciting, if not a little bit daunting!
What was your experience like as a woman joining the cyber industry?
Moving from a profession that had a fairly even split between men and women to one that has an average of an 80/20 split was an interesting adjustment, but nearly four years on, I’m now a Business Development Manager. I can see that the ratio of men to women has improved.
I’m excited to see the change and want to welcome more women into the cyber world to excel and achieve their goals.
What do you enjoy most about working in cyber?
I love that no two days are the same, cybersecurity is an exciting world, and it never gets boring!
What do you enjoy most about working at Brigantia?
We’re one big work family at Brigantia. Everyone on the team is always happy to help with anything, and I've always found it a really supportive environment. We have a fantastic group of girls at Brigantia, and we’re forever plotting the next work outing or heading out for a girls’ café date at lunch!
I joined Brigantia in 2018 as a Sales Executive straight out of university, and it was daunting to join a tech company with zero tech knowledge. Initially, my role was cold-calling prospective MSPs to generate new business. I noticed when making these calls that most people were male.
I'm in my sixth year in the industry, and the dynamic has changed somewhat. I now speak to more females than I did previously.
As a female sales manager, my journey has been quite a joyous ride! I've had the chance to meet and work alongside incredible women (and men, too). I'm passionate about my job and care about what I do. This, combined with attention to detail, means I’ve built strong, trusting relationships with channel partners. I’ve witnessed incredible growth for Brigantia and feel proud to have been a part of that.
While progress is being made to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, there's still a journey ahead. The Executive Director of Women in Cybersecurity, Lyn Dohm, said:
Reflecting on my own experience and my colleagues, it's clear that women are making their mark in this dynamic industry. As we continue to support and encourage one another, we're shaping our careers and paving the way for future generations of women.
Together, we can create an environment where women feel empowered to thrive and lead in this vital sector.
For further information about Brigantia, head to our website: https://www.brigantia.com/