Changing Narratives: A ‘Yes, And’ Approach

When speaking about industries where men are overrepresented, the narrative tends to be on how hard these spaces are for the women who work in them. While challenges that come with sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny abound – CRNtv is trying to change the prevailing narrative of Women in the Channel by taking a “Yes, and...” approach to representation.

It’s A Man’s World: Overrepresentation Across The IT Channel

The first feminist I knew was my dad although I doubt he would have described himself as such. As a two out of three-girl dad (I have one brother) he sought to encourage us to be all we could be. He instilled in us that our gender was not a barrier but a strength. However, the reality was – and is – that gender differences produce bias where masculinity and male hood are given institutionalized unearned privileges.

While I would love to share more about my dad, his feminism, and how he taught me to cook greens and sew a button, those stories have little to do with the IT channel ecosystem.

But gender privilege does. Specifically in terms of economics and pay equity, specifically in terms of cybersecurity.

According to ASIS International, as of 2022, women held approximately 25 percent of cybersecurity jobs worldwide, an increase from 20 percent in 2019. This representation is expected to grow, with predictions estimating it will reach about 30 percent by 2025. Yet, despite the notable growth, cybersecurity is still lagging the overall tech sector where women currently constitute around 33 percent of the workforce.

Regarding younger demographics, women under 30 make up around 26 percent of the cybersecurity workforce, indicating a positive trend among newer entrants to the field. Several initiatives aim to address the gender gap in cybersecurity in the US and Internationally. Programs like Women4Cyber and efforts by organizations such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) emphasize mentorship, education, and community-building to foster a more inclusive environment.

Additionally, retention is a significant issue—while women may enter the field at similar rates to men, many leave due to lack of advancement opportunities and a general lack of belonging due to gender informed cultural expectations. It is cultural stereotypes that frame IT and cybersecurity as male-dominated fields continue to deter some women from entering the industry.

But what if we changed the narrative? While I understand it will take more than a shift in language – it may benefit us all to understand that for women to be underrepresented, men must be overrepresented in the channel. What if rather than a focus on the women and their barriers, we begin to simply see them as credible experts?

Enter a new series from CRNtv: Channel Women in Security.

Celebrating Expertise: Shifting The Focus In Channel Women in Security

Launching Monday, October 21, Channel Women in Security, signals a shift in the spotlight toward what truly qualifies women as leaders in cybersecurity—their education, skills, and deep knowledge of the field. While stories of overcoming barriers have their place, this series is all about celebrating the expertise that women bring to the table. It’s time to see women for what they are: experts who hold the keys to the future of cybersecurity.

This series is not just about representation—it’s about reframing our conversations to recognize the critical role that women play in advancing technology, the IT channel and specifically the cybersecurity industry. By shifting the focus from barriers to brilliance, the series will inspire us all to see the value of women’s contributions to the ever-evolving world.

Be on the lookout for more information from amazing leaders of the channel. Leaders who just so happen to be women.

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