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The world of cybersecurity includes a wealth of opportunities and challenges in which women are playing an increasingly important role. But, as in many other industries, women often face unique obstacles and have to deal with specific threats, especially in light of the industry’s rapid expansion. In a recent (German) podcast conversation between Lisa Fröhlich, Link11’s corporate spokesperson, and Julia Dudenko, Group CISO at Haniel, some insights were shared that illustrate how women are facing threats while capitalizing on opportunities in this fast-paced and dynamic environment.
From training to security strategy
The conversation began with a look at the importance of early education in cybersecurity. Julia Dudenko emphasized the need to raise awareness of cybersecurity in society, especially among children and young people. She emphasized that the diversity of professions in the cybersecurity industry is often not sufficiently explained and that it is important to get young people excited about this exciting career opportunity at an early age.
Lack of role models, gender stereotypes and prejudices – what do women face in the industry?
Another important point of discussion was the challenges faced by women in the cybersecurity industry. Current statistics show that women are still severely underrepresented, especially in management positions. This is reflected not only in the gender distribution but also in the salary differences between male and female professionals.
The Group CISO of Haniel shared her personal experience as one of the few women in a technical leadership position and emphasized the positive aspects, such as clear feedback mechanisms and increased visibility. Being the only woman in the room also has clear advantages.
Where is the journey in cyber security heading?
The discussion concluded with an outlook on future trends and developments in cybersecurity. Julia Dudenko expressed how the nature of threats has changed over time and how important it is to continuously adapt in order to respond to new challenges.
Traditional security measures are often no longer sufficient to fend off complex attacks such as ransomware, phishing, and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Women in cybersecurity may or may not have technical expertise needed to plan for these threats. More important in the CISO role is a deep understanding of business processes and the evolving threat landscape and the resulting risks. It also helps to be able to present the threats in a comprehensible manner, to quantify them financially, and to act proactively.
The experienced IT security expert also highlighted the importance of AI-supported security solutions to identity protection and combat personalized attacks. She also explained the need to prepare for new challenges, such as quantum computing, and the need for continuous training to keep pace with the ever-changing threat landscape.
Conclusion: An exciting and dynamic industry
The podcast conversation between Lisa Fröhlich and Julia Dudenko provided a fascinating insight into the world of cybersecurity and the role of women in this industry. The future of cybersecurity is increasingly in their hands, and so it is crucial that they receive the support and encouragement they deserve. This requires not only a change in corporate culture and practices, but also targeted measures to promote diversity and inclusion in the industry.
Link11 also offers many opportunities to enter the exciting world of Cybersecurity.
It’s time to overcome gender stereotypes and recognize women as equal partners in cybersecurity. By providing mentoring programs, training and education opportunities, companies can help unlock the full potential of female employees in the industry.
Overall, the cybersecurity industry not only offers a variety of career opportunities, but also the chance to have a positive impact on the digital future. Through collaboration, support and engagement, women can help create a safer and more resilient digital world for all.
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