The cybersecurity industry has a labor problem. In the United States, we now have up to 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, and only 26% of cybersecurity professionals under the age of 30 are women.
What can organizations and institutions do to close the gender gap in cybersecurity, and ultimately, the cyber skills gap? Research shows that to build strong cyber teams, employers and the wider industry need to make cybersecurity a welcoming career for all.
To understand ECS’ approach towards equitable and inclusive cyber teams, we spoke to a few of the women leading our cyber teams. We are continually inspired by these women and look forward to keeping the conversation going.
BEVERLY
GOODWIN
Executive Director, Governance, Risk, and Compliance | Cybersecurity Assurance
SHAYLA
TREADWELL
VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNANCE, RISK, AND COMPLIANCE
JOANNA
DEMPSEY
VICE PRESIDENT, CISA PORTFOLIO, JUSTICE AND HOMELAND SOLUTIONS
JOANNE
MORRIS
VICE PRESIDENT, ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS
RAMONA
ZILLIGEN
PROGRAM MANAGER, ARMY ENDPOINT SECURITY SOLUTION
What does a successful cybersecurity career mean to you?
”For me, success means learning from failures and turning them into lessons learned. It also means work-life balance: being happy, enjoying my work, and looking forward to each day's challenges, while still growing as a professional.
I am grateful to be part of the ECS cybersecurity team, knowing I can continue to grow and learn more all the time. I am fortunate to be happy and fulfilled in my career ― that is my definition of success.
Ramona ZilligenProgram Manager, Army Endpoint Security Solution (AESS)
How do you approach diversity and equity challenges within your team?
”There is a tendency people have where they think no one is paying attention to their behavior. Making it known that people are heard and seen is important when identifying diversity and equity challenges. With recent events coming to light, I assumed that people knew that I condemn any type of hate within my team, but I had a team member reach out to me and let me know that they needed me to acknowledge what was going on. After addressing this directly with the team, we all felt relieved that there was more space to talk safely to address these issues.
Joanna DempseyVice President, CISA Portfolio, Justice and Homeland Solutions
What are some characteristics that you think make a team successful?
”Cognitive diversity. It is so important that you don’t let groupthink get in the way. Identify people with different backgrounds and experiences so that you can come to an agreement and make the best decision for everyone. Allow people to highlight things you wouldn’t otherwise think about as well.
Shayla TreadwellVice President, Governance, Risk, and Compliance
How do you handle a situation in which you don’t agree with the group consensus?
”I present my opinion in a positive manner, and I listen in a positive manner too. Everyone’s opinion has value, but sometimes a different opinion is a better situational fit. No matter how experienced I am, there’s always an opportunity to learn. Teams are stronger than individuals, so it’s key to let every voice be heard and then work with the team to move forward with a single voice.
Joanna MorrisVice President, Enterprise Solutions
What are the top three habits that you would recommend to someone seeking a leadership role?
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Beverly GoodwinExecutive Director, Governance, Risk, and Compliance │ Cybersecurity Assurance
