Women leaders urge more female cyber talent as AI grows

Women security leaders are calling for greater female representation in cybersecurity as artificial intelligence reshapes how organisations defend against digital threats. Their comments come as industry groups and executives mark International Women in Cyber Day.

The focus is on both the persistent gender imbalance in security roles and AI's growing influence in critical systems. Executives from Smartsheet, OpenText and HackerOne warn that organisations risk blind spots in security design if they fail to draw on a broader range of skills and experiences.

Smartsheet Chief Product Officer Pratima Arora connects today's workforce numbers with her own early experiences in computer science. UK government research estimates women account for about 17% of the cybersecurity workforce. Arora argues that this imbalance weakens the design of AI and security systems that sit behind many everyday tools and services.

"As we architect AI systems that will shape how people interact with technology for years to come, women need to be part of those decisions from the start. But in the UK, women make up just 17% of the cybersecurity workforce, despite the sector's continued growth and demand for talent (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cyber-security-skills-in-the-uk-labour-market-2025). When I took my first computer science class, there were only three women out of 50 students, and for years I felt the need to prove my technological abilities. That experience shapes how I think about AI and security today. The world isn't built by one kind of person, so the technology defending it shouldn't be either. Attackers don't think alike, so defenders can't either - diverse teams spot threats a single kind of thinking misses. Homogeneous teams build systems with homogeneous blind spots. Trust isn't something you bolt on after the system is built - by then, the decisions about data, access and governance are already made. Trust is architectural, and architecture reflects who designs it. That's why women and underrepresented groups need to be at the table from the beginning, helping shape the systems that will define our increasingly AI-driven world," said Pratima Arora, Chief Product Officer, Smartsheet.

Australia shows a similar pattern. Industry surveys indicate women represent about 17% of the cybersecurity workforce, even as privacy and security teams report persistent skills gaps.

OpenText Director, Cybersecurity-ANZ, Vanessa Kyte points to research suggesting women bring strong AI knowledge into the sector but remain underrepresented in security roles, even as AI adoption expands in threat detection and response.

"Artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity, but solving the industry's biggest skills challenge isn't simply about recruiting more people. It's about ensuring organisations aren't overlooking talent already equipped to help secure the next generation of AI-enabled systems. An ISC2 study found 27 per cent of women reported having significant knowledge of AI and machine learning, compared with 17 per cent of men. Yet despite this capability, women make up only 17 per cent of Australia's cybersecurity workforce. At the same time, ISACA's latest research found 53 per cent of privacy professionals believe a skills gap exists, with almost half of organisations training non-privacy staff to meet demand. As organisations adopt AI for threat detection, response and automation, broadening the cybersecurity talent pipeline has never been more important. Women continue to enter cybersecurity through non-traditional pathways, bringing experience from risk, compliance, law, psychology and business. As cybersecurity expands beyond protecting networks to include AI governance, machine identities and organisational resilience, these diverse perspectives are becoming increasingly valuable. Organisations have a meaningful opportunity to strengthen their cyber capability by investing in flexible career pathways, on-the-job learning, mentoring and leadership opportunities for women. Visibility also matters. When women are keynote speakers, panellists and technical experts, it sends a powerful message that cybersecurity is a career where women can thrive and lead. International Women in Cyber Day is about recognising women already working in the profession and acknowledging that diversity has become a strategic advantage. Organisations that attract, develop and retain women in cybersecurity roles will be prepared to navigate the complex risks created by AI while building stronger, more resilient security teams for the future," said Vanessa Kyte, Director, Cybersecurity-ANZ, OpenText.

HackerOne executives highlight how non-linear careers and community networks are drawing more women into security work. They say AI and data experience now translate directly into security roles as organisations focus on how AI systems behave in real-world environments.

HackerOne Chief Product Officer Nidhi Aggarwal says International Women in Cyber Day can help shift perceptions of who belongs in security and encourage women from adjacent fields to consider the sector.

"International Women in Cyber Day is an opportunity to make cybersecurity feel more accessible to women who may not see themselves reflected in the traditional image of the field. Cybersecurity needs people who can understand complex problems, challenge assumptions and build technology that can stand up to real-world threats. That is becoming even more important as AI changes how software is built and secured. We are entering areas where the playbooks are still being written, which means the women solving these problems today have a real opportunity to influence what comes next. My hope is that more women see that they do not need to follow one prescribed path into cybersecurity. My background is in AI and data, and cybersecurity is a new domain for me, but the same first-principles-oriented problem-solving skills, systems thinking and data-driven decision-making have helped me in cybersecurity. There is room for product leaders, engineers, researchers and people who bring experience from entirely different parts of technology and beyond. When women have meaningful ownership and the chance to make their expertise visible, that builds confidence, develops deeper technical and business judgment and ultimately helps future leaders shape the industry," said Nidhi Aggarwal, Chief Product Officer, HackerOne.

HackerOne Senior Security Technical Program Manager Crystal Hazen describes cybersecurity as a community-based profession, where peer networks, events and local groups can support career shifts from other industries.

"I came to HackerOne from the music industry, and the security community welcomed me during a major career change. Since then, my path has taken me from helping build our live hacking events and supporting open-source programs to customer success and, today, HackerOne's security team. I now lead our internal bug bounty and penetration testing programs, as well as our 'Customer Zero' initiative, which helps incubate and strengthen new products and services before they reach customers. That journey has shown me how much of cybersecurity is built around community. Throughout my career, I've worked alongside ethical hackers and security teams, while also volunteering with BSidesSF. Again and again, I've seen how much people can learn when they have a place to ask questions, test their skills and learn directly from others doing the work. I feel fortunate to contribute to a safer internet while giving back to the community that gave me a place to learn, grow and contribute, and I hope to help others find that same sense of belonging. International Women in Cyber Day is an important reminder that we need to create more pathways for women. That means not only opening doors to security roles, but also building communities where women can develop skills and relationships before they ever apply. Conferences and local security groups can be invaluable places to make that first connection and begin exploring what's possible. You don't have to know exactly what your cybersecurity career will look like before you begin. Get involved in the community, follow the problems that interest you and keep learning from the people around you. There are many ways to contribute to security, and the industry is stronger when more women have the opportunity to find theirs," said Crystal Hazen.