Women in cyber

In an industry predominantly dominated by men, it's essential to also shed light on the invaluable contributions, insights, and challenges that women bring to the cybersecurity domain. As a Cyber Security recruiter, I'm committed not only to bridging the gender gap but also to celebrating the female voices that are driving innovation and progress in this ever-evolving field.

Breaking Stereotypes:

In the world of cybersecurity, stereotypes have long persisted, portraying hackers as solitary geniuses hunched over computers in dimly lit rooms. This image not only misrepresents the diverse community that comprises the field but also contributes to the gender imbalance. It's time to break down these stereotypes and embrace the reality that cybersecurity professionals are a diverse group of individuals with varied backgrounds, skills, and perspectives.

Cybersecurity is not just about technical skills; it's also about understanding human behavior, risk assessment, and effective communication. Collaborative problem-solving, attention to detail, and a holistic approach to challenges are just a few qualities that are important in cybersecurity.

Diversity Breeds Innovation:

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, innovation is the key to staying one step ahead of cyber threats. And innovation thrives in diverse environments. By actively involving people from different backgrounds and genders in every aspect of cybersecurity – from threat analysis to solution implementation – we open the door to a wider range of ideas and solutions. Diversity fosters creativity, leading to breakthroughs that might otherwise remain unexplored.

Interviews with Cyber Ladies:

I had the privilege of sitting down with two female figures in the cybersecurity industry. Their stories provide an insight into the diverse pathways that led them to cybersecurity, the hurdles they've overcome, and the advice they have for the next generation and companies looking to hire diverse talent.

Sanne Maasakkers – Cyber Security specialist at NCSC:

After completing her bachelor’s degrees in information studies and computer Science, Sanne immediately started her career in IT, in the niche Identity & Access Management. But because she wanted to expand her experience in cyber security, she moved to Fox IT, where she engaged in hacking and red teaming exercises. It's here she found her passion. Later, driven by a desire to make a societal contribution, she transitioned to the National Cyber Security Center.

Outside of her professional work, Sanne has created a free educational platform to teach kids the fundamentals of hacking, forensics, and coding (hackchallengesforkids.com) and she is the coach of Team Europe in the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC). She firmly believes in the social responsibility of ethical hackers. Sanne also commits to mentoring, guiding many young professionals in the cyber world. She strongly believes in the importance of role models and the positive impact they can have on emerging talents, regardless of their gender. Her sense of social responsibility and desire to educate, inform, and raise awareness about cybersecurity is reflected in her frequent appearances on podcasts and news programs. Not out of a desire to be in the spotlight, but out of a feeling of social responsibility to inform the public. Above all, she hopes to inspire young girls, showing them that a career in cybersecurity is also attainable for them.

Highlighting the accomplishments of women in cybersecurity is crucial to inspiring the next generation of female professionals. By showcasing successful women who have made significant progress in the field, we encourage young girls to consider cybersecurity as a viable and exciting career option.

Sanne's advice for women considering a career in cybersecurity is both pragmatic and encouraging: "Don't be deterred, and don’t compare yourself with people who have been in the industry for years. Take the time to investigate the cyber security industry, see where your interests are and start educating yourself with free online resources. There are many online communities you can join, try to network with people in the industry and maybe find a coach. We need individuals from all backgrounds. Technical skills can be acquired, but soft skills often prove harder to come by. Creativity, perseverance and communication skills are also so important in this industry." She underscores that cybersecurity is an immensely diverse field, with roles ranging from the technical to the psychological.

Sanne emphasized the importance of genuine inclusivity and the value that a diverse group of experts can bring. It's clear there's much work to be done, but with role models like Sanne at, the future looks promising.

Esther Schagen-van Luit – CISO Deloitte NL & BE

Esther is a forward-thinking leader in the security sector, with a passion for diversity and inclusion within companies. Her approach has led to significant changes within her teams, emphasizing both the hiring of diverse talent and fostering an inclusive culture. With her unique leadership style and vision, Esther stands as an inspirational figure for both her colleagues and others in the industry.

At Deloitte she quickly climbed the ladder, from consultant in the Cyber Strategy Team to 'Specialist Master' to CISO within 6 years.

A key moment in her career took place in London when a security breach occurred at Deloitte in the US. It showed Esther how critical internal security was and how important it was to take care of those around her. This experience drove her to the CISO position at Deloitte Netherlands, later expanding to Deloitte Belgium. Today, Esther is responsible for the digital security of no fewer than 16,000 employees.

In addition to cybersecurity, Esther also has a passion for diversity and inclusion. During her studies she was already a member of a committee for the integration of international students in the Netherlands. Within cybersecurity, she noted the shockingly low number of women in the industry - only 3% around that time. This led her to initiatives such as Hacklab High School for Girls, connecting young girls to technology and security.

Esther is proud of her contribution to diversity within her teams. Within 2.5 years she transformed her team from having only white Dutch men to having an equal split in women/men and locals/ internationals. She emphasizes the importance of diverse backgrounds and insights, especially in cybersecurity, where different perspectives can lead to better security.

Esther's journey is one of constant growth, adaptation, and the pursuit of excellence. She continues to be an inspiring role model in both cybersecurity and inclusive leadership. For companies who want to engage in a more inclusive and diverse way of working, Esther has a few tips.

• Visibility on Platforms like LinkedIn

According to Esther, visibility on platforms like LinkedIn is crucial. Women and international candidates might feel drawn to leaders they can identify with or whose vision they appreciate. Esther's own experience shows that some of her team members approached her after seeing her on LinkedIn.

• Rethinking Job Descriptions

It's vital to review job descriptions for potential bias. Companies need to understand the difference between 'must-have' and 'nice-to-have' criteria. Often, women might hesitate to apply if they don't meet all the requirements, whereas men might apply even if they meet only a few.

• Broaden the Starting Point

It's essential to ensure the initial candidate 'funnel' is as wide as possible. Companies should aim for the best candidate but also ensure a wide range of applicants from diverse backgrounds.

• Objective Evaluation of candidates

Esther and her team created a competency sheet for each role, clearly defining what a poor, good, and excellent answer to each competency was. This method removes subjectivity from the assessment process and ensures candidates are judged on their skills, not their background.

• Culture and Leadership

In addition to hiring a diverse team, company culture plays a critical role. Focusing on wellness, open communication, and celebrating diverse cultures are some of the ways leaders can foster an inclusive work environment.

• Understand and Celebrate Diversity

Promoting understanding among team members from different backgrounds can be as simple as celebrating various cultural holidays or sharing meals together.

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