Girls in ICT Day: The AI-powered future of cybersecurity leadership

Cybersecurity operations are undergoing a fundamental transformation, and AI has evolved from a supplementary tool to the cornerstone of modern security frameworks. AI is reshaping cybersecurity in powerful and paradoxical ways. On one hand, it's a game-changer—helping us detect and respond to threats faster than ever. But there's a flip side. The same AI tools that help us defend can also be weaponized by cybercriminals, and attackers are adopting AI, especially large language models (LLMs), faster than many security vendors.

With security threats now happening at incredible speed, traditional monitoring is simply incapable of effectively addressing sophisticated attack vectors. Without AI-powered systems, security teams face an insurmountable challenge in protecting critical infrastructure against increasingly complex threats. 

As AI in cybersecurity creates more efficiencies, it also produces unprecedented opportunities for diverse talent, particularly women, to lead the next generation of cyber defense innovations. So, this Girls in ICT Day, let's reflect on the myriad ways women in leadership roles enhance the cybersecurity landscape.  

The unique advantage of diverse security leadership

Cybersecurity has long been a male-dominated field. But that's changing—and not just symbolically. Women bring emotional intelligence, diverse problem-solving styles, and a people-first mindset that's essential in tackling both human and technical risks. As we mark Girls in ICT Day, it's important to acknowledge research that consistently shows just how vital diverse security teams are for identifying potential vulnerabilities across organizations.

In their latest report on diversity, McKinsey found an upward trend favoring greater representation of women on executive teams, with top-quartile teams increasing the likelihood of their financial outperformance from 15% in 2015 to 39% in 2023. Not only does this build a strong business case for diversity, but it particularly demonstrates the valuable role women play in leadership and efforts to increase those opportunities. 

Currently, women represent 28% of the global STEM workforce, with only 22% classified as AI professionals. This reveals both a challenge and an opportunity for the cybersecurity sector. Coming from a non-traditional background has never been a limitation—it's been an advantage. It has helped me bring a fresh perspective to security conversations. Women often bring multidimensional problem-solving approaches to complex security challenges—combining technical expertise with strong communication skills and holistic thinking. These qualities prove particularly valuable when implementing and governing AI systems that require both technical proficiency and organizational awareness. 

The journey from network design to enterprise architecture demonstrates that technical knowledge alone proves insufficient; leaders who excel in AI security also understand organizational context, human behavior patterns, and ethical implications of autonomous systems.

Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap

The cybersecurity field has always battled talent shortages. Today, four million workers are needed to fill cybersecurity jobs globally, and recent reports indicate the skills gap could grow to 85 million workers by 2030. 

While AI will help mitigate this shortage through automation, diverse human talent remains essential to guide these systems effectively. Organizations leading the field can help close this gap by developing mentorship programs specifically designed to support women in cybersecurity and AI roles, focusing on both technical capabilities and leadership advancement.

For young women considering technology careers, AI security represents an exceptional opportunity—combining technical challenges with strategic thinking and tangible real-world impact. Companies with strong representation of women in leadership positions demonstrate how this diversity translates directly to innovation. When an organization's leadership reflects its diverse clientele, it naturally develops more comprehensive security solutions that address a broader range of potential threats and vulnerabilities.

As organizations work to add more women to their leadership teams, the first steps lie in acknowledging industry-wide issues and investing in talent at an early age. 

Building the future cybersecurity workforce

The next generation of security leaders will need fluency in both human and machine languages—understanding the technical aspects of AI while maintaining the human judgment that technology alone cannot provide. Educational institutions and industry partners can bridge these divides by creating pathways for young women to gain exposure to both cybersecurity and AI through internships, educational partnerships, and community outreach initiatives. Women in leadership create space for others to rise. Programs like Microsoft DigiGirlz, WiCyS, and Cisco's Women Rock-IT are giving the next generation of women the tools to step into security and AI roles with confidence.

Girls in ICT Day serves as a reminder that cybersecurity's future depends on bringing diverse perspectives to security operations—especially as AI continues to transform the industry. By deliberately cultivating environments where women can thrive in technical roles, organizations strengthen their security capabilities while simultaneously addressing the critical talent shortage in cybersecurity.

Strategies for encouraging women in cybersecurity

Several approaches have demonstrated effectiveness in attracting and retaining women in cybersecurity leadership:

• Breaking down stereotypes through representation remains crucial. Until individuals see leaders they identify with in technical roles, perceived barriers will persist. When women hold visible leadership positions in cybersecurity, it creates a powerful signal that others can similarly succeed.
• Creating supportive technical communities provides essential networks for women navigating cybersecurity careers. These communities offer mentorship, knowledge sharing, and professional development specifically tailored to address the unique challenges women face in male-dominated technical fields.
• Emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of modern cybersecurity helps attract diverse talent. While technical skills form the foundation, effective security also requires communication abilities, strategic thinking, and business acumen—creating multiple pathways for women to contribute meaningfully to the field.

When diverse teams lead AI security initiatives, the resulting systems prove more comprehensive, adaptable, and ethically sound.

The path forward

The convergence of AI and cybersecurity creates an inflection point for the industry. Organizations that successfully integrate diverse talent into their security leadership will develop more resilient, innovative approaches to emerging threats. The technical complexity of AI security systems demands teams with varied perspectives and problem-solving approaches—precisely the advantage that gender diversity provides.

Girls in ICT Day highlights both progress made and challenges ahead. While representation statistics show significant gaps remain, the transformative potential of AI in security creates unprecedented opportunities for women to lead. By actively supporting the next generation of women in cybersecurity through mentorship, educational initiatives, and visible leadership roles, the industry can simultaneously address its talent shortage and enhance its technical capabilities.