What This Post Isn’t About
Women still make up only around a quarter of the cybersecurity workforce. And when you look at leadership, that number gets even smaller.
But here’s the thing I don’t want this post to be about:
“Women are underrepresented in cyber, and that’s a problem.”
We already know that.
What I want to talk about is the other side of the story.
The Door Is Actually More Open Than You Think
And I know this because I didn’t grow up thinking, “I’m going to work in cybersecurity.”
My background is in technology, data and digital solutions, and cybersecurity became something I gradually became more interested in. I’m still learning. I’m still figuring things out. And honestly, that’s one of the things I love about this field.
You don’t have to know everything before you start.
And you definitely don’t need to be the person who has been hacking computers since they were 10. 😂
Cybersecurity Needs All Kinds of People
Not one kind. Not the kind you’ve seen in every movie about hackers.
- 💬People who can communicate.
- 🔍People who are curious.
- 👀People who notice when something doesn’t look right.
- 📋People who can write policies.
- 🤝People who understand people.
- 🧩People who can explain complicated things in a simple way.
People coming from education, HR, finance, law, marketing, administration, customer service, IT, psychology, communications… and so many other areas.
There are so many different ways into cyber.
If You’re a Woman Thinking About Cybersecurity, Start Small
You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on certifications.
Start with a free course. Watch a few videos. Follow someone in the industry. Learn how phishing works. Understand what happens when you click a link. Learn about passwords, scams, AI or your digital footprint.
Find something that makes you curious and follow that curiosity.
If you want a place to begin, I’ve already written the two guides I wish someone had handed me:
cybergirllab.com
My step-by-step beginner roadmap: foundations, practice, and certifications.
cybergirllab.com
Study cyber security in Australia for zero dollars: what’s covered and who’s eligible.
And Please, Find Your People
This is the part nobody tells you is as important as the technical skills.
Having someone to ask questions to, learn from, or simply say “I have no idea what I’m doing” to can make such a difference.
And If You’re Already Working in Cybersecurity?
Be that person for someone else.
- 📣Share what you’re learning.
- 🪜Talk about your career.
- 💜Encourage another woman.
- 🙋Answer the question that someone might be too embarrassed to ask.
Because sometimes, seeing one woman doing something is enough to make another woman think:
“Maybe I could do that too.”
That’s One of the Reasons I Created Cybergirl Lab
I want cybersecurity and AI to feel less intimidating and more accessible.
Especially for women who might look at this industry and think:
“That’s not for me.”
Maybe it is.
Maybe you just haven’t found your way in yet.
So Today, My Message Is Simple
On International Women in Cyber Day, this is the whole thing:
- 🌱You don’t have to know everything.
- ✨You don’t have to be perfect.
- 🚫You don’t have to fit the stereotype.
- 🚀You just have to start.
The door is open.
Come in. 💻🔐