Women in Cybersecurity

The Future of Women in Cyber

The call for more women in cybersecurity in today’s age is not just right, it is an urgent need. 

Women historically have had a very low representation in cybersecurity, and yet they remain critical to the mission. As our nation continues to diversify, our Federal workforce must reflect those unique backgrounds we serve.  

Since CISA was established in 2018 as the nation’s first cybersecurity agency, women have served across a spectrum of technical roles at the agency including leading a team that drafted the Blueprint for a Secure Cyber Future, planning and analysis that supports the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, supporting election security efforts, developing recommendations for protecting High Value Asset (HVA) systems across the federal government, and supporting internal diversity and inclusion programs.  

We are pleased to be a part of a larger chorus of organizations around the world who work to close the gender gap by connecting and supporting women in cybersecurity. These organizations enable women to join groups, attend conferences, further their education, and explore new possibilities in cybersecurity. 

We are actively building our partnerships with leading organizations whose mission is to encourage more women in tech. By working together on this shared mission, we can more quickly realize our goal of operating with a powerhouse of diverse talent.

How Can Women Join CISA?  

First, please know there is no time to waste when it comes to exploring opportunities to join CISA. Because CISA is at the heart of leading the Nation’s efforts to understand and manage risk to our cyber and critical infrastructure, it is vital that talented job seekers join our mission today.   

Also, CISA is not just cyber. We are actively recruiting to fill positions across multiple career fields, including cybersecurity, human resources, infrastructure security, risk assessment, and more.  

Connect with Us

We participate in hiring events in hopes of connecting with job seekers who are eager to learn more about available opportunities.  

We are especially excited about our upcoming career events which promise to be an opportunity for women to chat virtually, in real-time, with CISA representatives about our inclusive workplace culture as well as to gain insights into CISA careers pathways for women of all backgrounds.

Empower the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals 

Different pathways to cybersecurity careers are important to closing the gender gap and filling our Nation’s 500,000 open cybersecurity jobs. We must prepare the future workforce through STEM education and hands-on activities. 

Encourage family, friends, and the community to participate in STEM programs. These programs offer girls a glimpse into why cybersecurity is so important. A STEM-focused education can lead to scholarships and employment. Programs like the National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) and CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service prepare the next generation of cyber professionals. 

Organizations and schools should encourage interactive learning. One option is for students to further their education through internships. Internships can help all types of learners by providing chances to observe and perform. It empowers women to apply their education and be confident in their abilities. 

We strive to discover and promote opportunities for women to lead, diversify, and improve CISA’s mission, as well as to join the mission to engage the younger generation of women on pathways to cybersecurity and Federal service.