2024 Cyber Talent Study by N2K and WiCyS. [Special Edition]
Jun 27, 2024
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A panel of N2K experts, including WiCyS Executive Director Lynn Dohm, discusses the 2024 Cyber Talent Study, highlighting women's exceptional performance in cybersecurity. Insights reveal areas for development, guiding tailored training programs and career advancement strategies. The collaboration between WiCyS and N2K aims to support women in cybersecurity and address talent shortages, emphasizing the importance of diversity and organizational change.
WESIS members excelled in critical cybersecurity areas, showcasing the effectiveness of WESIS's training programs.
Organizations can leverage junior team members' skills for leadership roles and support women's career growth in cybersecurity.
Deep dives
Key Insights on WESIS's Cyber Talent Study
WESIS, the Women in Cybersecurity Executive Director, collaborated with N2K to conduct a 2024 Cyber Talent Study aimed at recruiting, retaining, and advancing women in cybersecurity. With over 9,800 members in 99 countries, WESIS focuses on addressing the critical workforce shortage in cybersecurity. The study identified challenges faced by women in cybersecurity, particularly in career growth and advancement, leading to initiatives for improving women's performance and opportunities in the field.
Functional Areas of Excellence Among WESIS Members
Data from the study revealed that WESIS members excelled in areas like communications and network security, cyber workforce training and awareness, cyber IT leadership and management, and IT policy and GRC. Additionally, WESIS members outperformed others in every NICE category measured, indicating their strong performance across various cybersecurity specialties. The study highlighted the need for organizations to recognize and leverage the skills and potential of junior team members for leadership roles.
Importance of Career Development and Inclusivity
The study emphasized the crucial role of talent development and inclusivity in supporting women's career growth in cybersecurity. Organizations were urged to create clear career advancement pathways, remove barriers in recruitment processes, offer tailored training programs, and foster a culture that encourages diversity and retention. By addressing these aspects, organizations can promote the professional development and success of women in cybersecurity.
Future Directions and Continuous Improvement
Moving forward, the study participants highlighted the need to disseminate the study's findings to a wider audience and present them at industry conferences to promote awareness and action. Recommendations for ongoing programming collaboration between WESIS and N2K were emphasized, focusing on implementing effective initiatives based on the study's insights and tracking the impact of these programs on women's careers in cybersecurity.
N2K and WiCyS have come together under a common mission to attract, retain, and advance more women in cybersecurity. Together, we strive to support women throughout their career journey, and secure the future of our industry.
This groundbreaking report leverages skills data from the professional members of Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS), and offers valuable insights into cybersecurity competencies within the industry. The Cyber Talent Study establishes a new benchmark for understanding the capabilities and potential of women in cybersecurity, and can be used to inform both individual training needs and organizational strategies for career advancement and skills enhancement.
Outstanding Performance: WiCyS members have demonstrated exceptional performance across several key areas of the NICE Framework, underscoring the importance of WiCyS’s training and development programs.
Strategic Insights: Analysis revealed remarkable strengths and areas for development, providing WiCyS with actionable data to tailor future programs and initiatives and ensure its members remain at the forefront of cybersecurity excellence.
Actionable Insights for Cybersecurity Workforce Development: The study revealed critical areas for targeted development to enhance cybersecurity workforce readiness. This insight empowers WiCyS to tailor its programs specifically to meet the diverse needs of its members, ensuring all participants are prepared to take on significant roles and lead in the cybersecurity industry.
Leadership Readiness Among WiCyS Members: The study highlights that WiCyS members are highly skilled and uniquely prepared for leadership roles within the cybersecurity industry.
Proven Expertise in Critical Cybersecurity Domains: The data show the outstanding capabilities of WiCyS members within the cybersecurity landscape. Excelling in nearly every N2K Functional Area mapped to the NICE Framework, WiCyS members have shown they not only meet but exceed the standards in key domains.
You can access the final report of the 2024 Cyber Talent Study here.