LThe appeal was launched by Emanuela Panero Chief People Officer of Ermes Cyber Security: «In the company we only have 7 women out of 38 people. And this despite our incessant search for female figures. But every time we open a new position only 10% of the candidates show up.” The world of Cyber Security it is, in short, an open field still waiting to be discovered for women. Especially in Italy.
AAA looking for (female) experts in Cyber Security
According to Women in Cyber Security Report released in 2022 by CyberSecurity Ventures, women hold 25% of cybersecurity jobs globally. But it is expected that they will represent 30% of the global workforce by 2025and 35 percent by 2031.
According to Ermes Cyber Security, there is what is called “mismatch” between demand and female training in STEM professions: hence the difficulty in implementing women in its workforce, despite the desire to do so.
That is, the market is not managing to satisfy the demand for experts due to a series of concomitant reasons. On the one hand, the speed of growth in demand compared to that of the formation of the required profiles. On the other hand, the complexity of constantly evolving technology.
Not all universities have been ready in the past to activate cybersecurity and AI programs suited to market demand. Added to this is also the fact that culturally, in our country, professions related to the IT sector are mainly the prerogative of men. This eliminates a large number of potential professionals from the game before it even begins.
What is Cyber Security
By Cyber Security we mean the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. TOcyber attacks usually aimed at accessing, transforming or destroying sensitive information, or extorting money from users or interrupting normal business processes. The sector has had an expansion in recent years that is not comparable to others. From this arose great demand for experts in relation to technological progress and the cyber threat landscape constantly evolving.
According to some estimates ofCybersecurity & data protection observatory61% of organizations over 250 employees have decided to increase the budget for security activities in the last 12 months. In 2022 the Italian cybersecurity market recorded an acceleration of 18% more than in 2021 with a value of 1.8 billion euros expected to grow in 2023.
7 steps to work in cybersecurity
So how do you become an expert in Cyber Security? Already from the 2nd level of secondary education, children have the opportunity to approach the IT world.
The universities
As far as universities are concerned, the profiles most requested by companies are those of graduates in computer science and computer engineering. With a particular focus on specialization in AI and Data Science. Academic paths in which the possibility of finding a job before obtaining the qualification is very high. However, all specializations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects remain of great interest for companies.
In most Italian universities, everyone is allowed to attend lessons. Participation in these “open lessons” can help you understand how interesting the subject really is before enrolling.
In recent years, the two-year post-diploma ITS courses (Higher Technical Institutes) which provide practical and specialized training very close to the world of work.
The most requested figures, from Data Scientists to software engineers
The most sought after figures are i Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, AI Research Scientist in addition to those always requested software engineer. In addition to the technical areas, cyber security companies, increasing in number and size, are also looking for profiles with cybersecurity experience in the areas Sales & Marketing.
Online cyber security courses and where to find them
Also useful online courses to keep up to date in a constantly and rapidly evolving field. Valid platforms, just to name a few, are for example Coursera, Code Academy, Talent Garden And Learnnwhich offer highly specialized courses, an access card to the cyber world.
The importance of the network
To find a suitable professional opportunity in the IT field, it is essential to participate in orientation meetings, promoted above all by schools and universities. Opportunities to gain confidence and learn about professions in the STEM field. In fact, there are many professional opportunities that are often unknownroles and titles in the world of work (for this it can also be useful to consult company websites).
Gamification platforms to learn the basics
It can be useful to start gaining experience, even by playing. There are gamification platforms such as Hack the box which allow everyone to take their first steps in the world of cybersecurity and learn the basics.
LinkedIn, also to get in touch with other women who work in STEM
Not to be overlooked is the conscious use of LinkedIn, the reference network for the world of work, for research and for recruitment. It may be useful to consult the job advertisements of the professional figure of interest to gather information regarding the skills required, the tasks to be performed and the relevant RAL.
Linkedin could also be useful for connect with women working in STEM who have work experience from which they can draw, to seek useful ideas for starting their career.
iO Donna © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED