Beyond Coding: Women’s Transformative Role in Cybersecurity

“I am a feminist, so when I was asked to contribute to this International Women’s Day supplement, I was excited to talk about the achievements and the potential of women in every field, particularly in areas where their presence is not just beneficial, but essential.   What does being a feminist mean?  Lots of things to lots of different people!  For me feminism is about all genders having equal rights and opportunities, it’s not about prioritising anyone and it’s definitely not about tokenism.  For the purpose of clarity; this isn’t an article about the definition of gender and this feature is about International Women’s Day – I fully recognise that there are many other people who are treated differently and they shouldn’t be.

I founded a crisis management and communications business and the mainstay of that business is cyber, from a crisis communication perspective.  The world of cybersecurity stands out as a sector where the blend of skills, perspectives, and experiences that women bring is not just valuable — it’s visibly transformative.

At Soteria, we work with clients to draft their incident response plans, create effective communication strategies, and manage their media engagements with precision. Our expertise is grounded in handling communications for global businesses during significant cyber events and working alongside governments to establish cyber crisis protocols.

‘It takes a village to raise a child, they say. Well, in my opinion, this analogy is equally relevant in the world of cybersecurity. It’s a domain that thrives on diversity — of thought, background, and skill.’

Just as a small child benefits from the wisdom, care, and different perspectives of an entire community, effectively engaging a community to be cyber aware and to manage cyber risks and cyber incidents requires a team with a diverse and varied skill set. Everyone, regardless of their background or skill set, contributes to our collective success.

Let’s dispel a common myth: you don’t need to be a tech wizard to survive or even ‘excel’ in the digital world. I, for one, am not a traditional ‘techy’ able to code or program which anyone who works with me can confirm – but the ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds and skill sets, curiosity and a willingness to learn are incredibly valuable skills in the cyber and digital world. The digital industry, at its core, is about solving puzzles and understanding systems and behaviours — skills that are not confined to those who make or break codes.

The field that I work in is defined by ability, not gender. It’s a meritocracy where anyone with the right skills and attitude can, and does, succeed. The beauty of cybersecurity lies in its inclusivity; it’s a field that not only encourages but thrives on diversity. Trust me, cybercriminals are indiscriminate, targeting victims without regard for status, size, or sector, making cybersecurity a universal imperative.

However, the skills shortage in our industry cannot be ignored, it is a genuine concern. It’s really positive to see initiatives in local schools, such as LEAP (Leadership and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Programme), an amazing female leadership programme and CyberFirst Girls, which aims to inspire girls interested in technology to pursue a career in cyber security. Organisations like Digital Jersey are nurturing a vibrant digital ecosystem and have an incredible Digital Skills Partnership and strategy, aimed at bringing together industry and education.  The Jersey Cyber Security Centre has, since their inception, been developing cyber security awareness and understanding across the Jersey community and the Jersey Office of the Information Commission are now synonymous with caped crusaders supporting the Island’s understanding and compliance of data protection obligations.  The Channel Islands Information Security Forum brings the Island’s cyber and information security community and the extended tech and business community together each year, last year I believe was one of the largest business events on the island.

Collaboration is key, and it’s encouraging to see the Government, plus a number of corporate organisations who sponsor these events – JT, KPMG and Appleby to name a few – facilitating accessible entry points into the sector. There are so many areas open to everyone, be it web design, coding, or communication, there are real opportunities to contribute and thrive.

It’s not just about technical knowledge; although there are some really talented technology professionals working in cyber in Jersey – the ability to blend strong people skills with technical expertise is invaluable, especially in areas like communication. Diverse perspectives and different experiences enable people to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and communicate solutions effectively.

Diversity enhances problem-solving abilities. At Soteria we’ve built up a team of individuals who understand that the challenges of cybersecurity are complex and require innovative solutions that diverse teams are well-equipped to provide. We partner with Nihon Cyber Defence, a global cyber security company who protect and support critical national infrastructure, governments and businesses from the increasingly debilitating impact of cyber attacks.  In a technical and communications partnership,

‘‘diversity is critical to our success, not just in devising strategies but in executing real-world responses to cyber threats’’

I have always believed that inclusion is the goal, rather than diversity.  I approach my business in this way.  There should be no barriers to anyone being able to access this industry or the businesses that serve the industry – performance and behaviours are all we need to monitor and assess.

Much has been said about the barriers to success in the workplace.  Irrespective of gender we need to alter our Victorian era approach to working patterns and policies – the need for better understanding of health issues that impact performance, the ridiculous approaches to maternity and paternity leave – which in Jersey are nowhere near where they should be – and the soaring costs of childcare are only a few of the things that inhibit individuals returning to work.  Great strides have been made in the last few years, only five years ago the word Menopause wasn’t welcome at a Board discussion and my husband was still called by the local tax office to discuss my income, but there is still a long way to go.

There are of course differences in how men and women approach problem-solving, but I believe that these differences are a combined strength. They allow for a broader range of solutions and strategies, essential in a landscape as dynamic as cybersecurity.

For more effective and resilient security strategies to succeed, diverse perspectives are required. 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s recognise the critical role both women and men play in cybersecurity and let’s commit to investing in the ways we can create a more inclusive cyber industry. By embracing diversity, we not only enhance our ability to respond to cyber threats but also create a more inclusive and innovative industry.

Here’s to the women shaping the future of cybersecurity and those who support them in doing so — not just on International Women’s Day, but every day.  Also: here’s to my wee mum, who sent me to see Helen Sharman (the first British Citizen to go into space) when I was of high school age.  My mum told me “If she can go into space, you can do whatever you set your mind to.”