Graduated and with a specific trainingbetween 26 and 55 years old; she is mainly entrusted with a task “Technical” in cybersecurity: this is the identikit of IT security professionals in Italy reconstructed by Women for Security, the female community that aims to involve the Italian professionals of the sector.
Women for Security: the identikit of IT security professionals
Cinzia Ercolano
The photograph of women engaged in cybersecurity is presented following an investigation launched ten months ago. The aim of the survey was to have a clear picture of what is happening in our country. The sample consists of 222 professionalsalmost entirely of Italian nationality (98%) and aged between 26 and 65 years old.
The survey aims to have monitoring value through the Women for Security Lab, the permanent research laboratory of the Community that will follow trend ed evolution of the female sector. Cinzia Ercolano, founder of Women for Security, said:
While in other countries also close to us the evolution of female professionalism in the so-called ‘STEM’ subjects and in a timely manner also in cybersecurity is constantly monitored, one of the Italian Cyber Ladies was missing.
We think it is essential to know the characteristics of the professional figures present in our country, first of all to be able to provide them with effective support, also through training and awareness activities on the culture of cyber security proposed by our Community.
Secondly, we hope that our work can be a starting point for institutions and companies that want to enhance the female figures who have acumen, skills and passion for their work, but who still struggle to emerge today, at a time when professional figures in cyber security are among the most requested of all.
The data from the Women for Security survey
According to the answers provided to the survey, the cyber ladies italiane I’m in 55% of cases graduated; nearly a third (31%) achieved one specific post-graduate trainingwhich in 37% of cases was paid for by employer e self-financed in 32% of cases.
The times of employment in IT security are very varied: 26% have worked in this area since 1-3 yearswhile 17% deal with it from over 10 years.
Most (44%) work intechnical area of Cyber Security. The rest is divided between marketing (10%); commercial functions (7%); system administration (7%); Research (5%); legal field (5%); project management (4%); disclosure (3%) and finally administration (2%) e communication (2%).
To the question relating to the salary39% replied that they received one equal pay compared to that of male colleagues. However 30% she has not declared herself able to answer and to make comparisons.
Furthermore, with regard to the purely male working environment, it seems that the candidates were not scared. For example, 92% of respondents said they would not having found any critical issues in the workplace. Specifically, the 51% remained indifferent to the predominantly male work environment; 23% has accepted the situation as a challenge; 18% even found it stimulating.
Working with female colleagues seems very satisfying to them cyber security professionals: relations with colleagues are in fact excellent. Almost half (46%) believe they have it with them same relationship that she has with her male colleagues; in 28% of cases there is complicity and in 18% solidarity.
The work-family balance is, however, the most felt issue for Italian cyber security professionals. For 48% of the respondents the situation she is more problematic than her male counterparts.
Ideas for improvement
As part of the investigation, the Women for Security asked the candidates to make suggestions possible interventions to improve gender equality in technical work environments.
The options they provide have been appreciated awareness campaigns by the Ministry of Equal Opportunities or by “Ambassadors” of the sector. Moreover, among the actions indicated for encourage women to work in the field of Cyber Security and to be able to bridge the gender gap over time, have been indicated awareness campaigns on the impact of Cyber Security.
With regard to young professionals, there was talk of mentoring activities by experienced professionals e promotional actions by universities.
For more information you can consult the official site.