Years ago, women faced numerous obstacles to work in the technology sector, including being forced to resign from teaching roles upon marriage. However, their courage, determination, and innovation often led to incredible breakthroughs in the field. Here are 5 of the wonder women of technology that need to be celebrated.
Mary Wilkes (20th Century): Mary Wilkes played a pivotal role in the development of the LINC (Laboratory Instrument Computer), one of the earliest personal computers. Her work in software development and user interfaces contributed to the design of interactive computing systems.
Adele Goldberg (20th Century): Adele Goldberg co-authored the influential “Smalltalk-80: The Language and its Implementation,” which introduced object-oriented programming concepts and graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Her work significantly influenced the development of modern software and user-friendly computing environments.
Dr. Grace Hopper (1906-1992): Dr. Grace was a computer scientist and Navy officer. During her career, she developed the first compiler for a computer programming language, which became the foundation for COBOL, one of the world’s earliest high-level programming languages. Her contributions to computer science and her tireless advocacy for women in technology have made a significant impact on the field.
Dr. Erna Schneider Hoover (1926-present): Dr. Erna Schneider Hoover is a mathematician and computer scientist. She is known for her work in computerized telephone switching systems. Dr. Hoover’s innovations in call switching technology revolutionized telecommunications and laid the groundwork for modern communication and data networks.
Shafi Goldwasser (1958-present): As a renowned computer scientist specializing in cryptography and computational complexity, her research has empowered secure digital transactions through innovations like zero-knowledge proofs and secure multi-party computation.
Do Women Still Face Challenges in the Cybersecurity Industry?
Globally, women make up only 24% of the cybersecurity workforce, with the U.S. reporting a 14% representation. This gender gap is interconnected with the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, where only 34% of scientists and engineers in the U.S. are women.
However, initiatives aimed at cultivating young girls’ interest in IT and cybersecurity, coupled with mentorship programs and specialized certifications for women in cybersecurity, are actively bridging this gender gap. Furthermore, many countries offer national programs dedicated to empowering women in the cybersecurity domain.
Initiatives Empowering Women in Cybersecurity
Some of the national programs dedicated to empowering women in this dynamic field that have emerged worldwide are as follows:
National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) – USA: In the USA, NCWIT champions women’s involvement in tech, including cybersecurity, through diverse initiatives.
Girls Who Code (USA): A national organization narrowing the tech gender gap, offering cybersecurity exposure through coding programs.
Women4Cyber (EU): ECSO’s initiative fosters European women’s success in cybersecurity careers through mentorship and training.
GirlGeekAcademy (Australia): Encourages women’s participation in tech challenges, including cybersecurity, through hands-on events.
Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) – Global: Creates networking, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities for women in Australian cybersecurity.
These national programs play an instrumental role by providing education, mentorship, and a platform for women to flourish, steering the industry toward a brighter, more equitable future.
Women at Securin
Some of the practices we follow at Securin include Gender-Neutral Hiring and mentorship programs that connect experienced cybersecurity professionals with those aspiring to enter the field.
According to Vaadra Chavez, Securin’s Chief Human Resource Officer, “We’re committed to empowering women in cybersecurity, and our talented women leaders are playing a pivotal role in driving innovation and securing the digital landscape.”
Today, Securin boasts a workforce in which women professionals represent over 30% of the total staff—a testament to our commitment to diversity and inclusion.