Industry leaders call for inclusion on International Women in Cyber Day
With International Women in Cyber Day highlighting the vital contributions of women in cybersecurity, industry leaders are setting out both the progress achieved and the significant challenges that persist regarding gender diversity within the sector. The underrepresentation of women in cybersecurity roles remains a global concern, despite increasing recognition of their importance in creating secure and resilient digital systems.
Sonia Eland, Executive Vice President and Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand at HCLTech, said the day is as much a call to action as it is a celebration. "Women remain underrepresented in cybersecurity and technology, yet their perspectives are critical to building resilient, ethical, and inclusive digital systems," Eland emphasised. She noted that as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly enmeshed in technology, ensuring diverse voices are present at the decision-making table is vital to avoid bias and reinforce trustworthiness.
She highlighted the practical steps being undertaken at HCLTech, including the delivery of AI-powered security solutions across industries and the establishment of an Office of Responsible AI and Governance. "Technology alone isn't sufficient. Clear principles must guide the use of AI and data…ensuring our solutions remain safe, ethical, and respectful of privacy," Eland stated. Beyond innovation, mentorship was flagged as a key driver for change: "When more women have the opportunity to shape the future of technology, we strengthen our industries and create a safer, smarter digital world for everyone."
Cynthia Tee, Chief Technology Officer at Smartsheet, echoed the sentiment, describing International Women in Cyber Day as "more than just a celebration. It's a call to action to keep promoting diversity and inclusion in a vital sector that shapes our future." Tee underlined the importance of openness, creativity, and mentorship within teams to promote an environment where women and other underrepresented groups can overcome barriers. "By encouraging a culture of learning, collaboration, and empowerment, we can help our teams and customers succeed in an increasingly digital and connected world," Tee added.
From a security leadership perspective, Praniti Lakhwara, Chief Information Officer at Zscaler, pointed to the business imperative of diversity. "Representation matters. That's why I'm committed to mentoring and building inclusive teams that reflect the diversity of our global workforce," Lakhwara said. She explained that women in cybersecurity bring critical perspectives to areas such as risk assessment, policy, and user-centric design, and highlighted the need for pathways that allow women to lead authentically and grow within the sector. "On International Women in Cyber Day, I hope we continue to spotlight those stories and invest in the next generation of women who will lead the future of cybersecurity," she concluded.
Meanwhile, voices from Lastwall, a company at the forefront of identity-first security and quantum resilient solutions, spoke candidly about the everyday barriers women continue to face. Ruth Okofu, InfoSec Operations Engineer, recalled, "Early on, there were very few women in the room when critical risk decisions were made. That lack of visibility can hold us back, even when the expertise is there." However, she also acknowledged the positive shift that occurs when women are trusted with leadership. "They deliver results and bring new perspectives that strengthen how teams approach problems." Okofu called for direct action: "Organisations must take real action such as creating fair promotion paths, sponsoring women into decision-making roles, and ensuring their voices are visible at conferences, in research, and within leadership seats. Cybersecurity is about resilience. Resilience comes from diversity."
Isabel Castillo, Lead Information Security Engineer at Lastwall and a U.S. Army veteran, addressed the roots of gender stereotyping, citing research that shows girls as young as six may perceive brilliance as a male trait. "Unless we change that message from a young age, we will continue to see a gender discrepancy in talent pipelines, during meetings, in leadership positions, and at the board level," she warned. Castillo suggested that societal messages, educational toys, animation, and compliments all play roles in shaping ambition. "Cybersecurity could be gamified in an inclusive way for both girls and boys… Animation can portray geeky, techy heroines who are celebrated for their determination, resilience, diligence, and tech-savviness," she proposed, expressing confidence that such cultural shifts could produce more female representation at senior levels.
The collective wisdom of these industry leaders makes clear that boosting gender diversity in cybersecurity is a multifaceted challenge - one that requires early education, equitable workplace policies, visible role models, and persistent advocacy. Celebrations such as International Women in Cyber Day draw attention to both contributions and gaps, but those inside the sector stress that sustained action and long-term commitment are necessary if the ambition of a truly inclusive cybersecurity workforce is to be realised.
