This Women’s History Month is a crucial opportunity for us to take the lead and continue to pave the way for a more inclusive future. I am truly humbled to support my remarkable women colleagues who continue to excel in their careers, and I am grateful to have numerous allies who have extended their hands to guide and shape me into the person I am today.

Recently, I attended the Japan Security Forum in Tokyo, where I had the pleasure of engaging in a CyberWomen Asia fireside chat with Miki Tsusaka, the President of Microsoft Japan, about the importance of women in cybersecurity. The conversation was followed by a panel discussion with Tsutaki-san, Security leader at Yamaha Motor Corporation, and Debbie Furtado, one of our talented Principal group engineering managers. The event highlighted the diverse perspectives and talents that are essential for driving innovation and progress across various industries. I am proud to be part of Microsoft Security, which is dedicated to building and nurturing an inclusive cybersecurity workforce and providing careers, tools, and resources that cater to everyone. We recognize that this approach promotes business growth, strengthens global defenses, and enhances AI safety.

According to the World Economic Forum, achieving gender equality in entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic growth and innovation.¹ Additionally, McKinsey and Company has observed that closing the gender gap in employment and entrepreneurship could lead to a 20% increase in global GDP, and that organizations with 30% or more women on executive teams are 27% more likely to achieve higher profitability.²

For a better future, we need everyone to be part of the journey, particularly in cybersecurity, where we face a critical shortage of talent and cyberthreat actors from diverse backgrounds.

Cybersecurity Awareness

Empower everyone to become a cyber defender with resources and training curated by Microsoft’s security experts.

Addressing the skills gap in cybersecurity and AI

There is a significant talent gap in cybersecurity, with the 2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study reporting a global shortage of 4.7 million skilled workers.³ This shortage has been a major challenge over the past 12 months and is expected to continue for the next two years. To address this concern, we must embrace a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds to foster innovation and find more effective solutions to these challenges.

By incorporating individuals with diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches into the cybersecurity workforce, we can enhance problem-solving capabilities and strengthen strategic defenses.

Cybercriminals come from various cultures and backgrounds, bringing different perspectives. Security professionals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can provide creative approaches and unique insights to counter these cyberthreats. Similarly, in AI, having different backgrounds and perspectives helps with AI safety and biases.

Continue to deepen expertise and invite different perspectives

While progress has been made in creating opportunities for women in cybersecurity, significant work remains to remove entry barriers. It is essential to continue our efforts to improve representation in cybersecurity by creating new pathways and gaining support from more allies. I wholeheartedly encourage you to actively contribute to this objective through various organizations and programs and by doing the following:

• Share the accomplishments of meaningful role models with a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
• Adjust job requirements to remove potential biases.
• Offer inclusive training that encourages professionals, particularly those in their early careers, to advance their skills in cybersecurity.
• Volunteer for educational programs that include cybersecurity and AI training.
• Reach out to community groups that advocate for mentorship opportunities.
• Act as an ally and create opportunities for those interested in cybersecurity careers, such as by encouraging them to participate and speak up and introducing them to peers.

Security should be for all, and we are all in this together. Together, we can enhance the global security workforce and contribute to a promising future.

Register for our upcoming panel “Harnessing Diversity – Strengthening the Cybersecurity Workforce in the Age of AI” and visit Microsoft’s cybersecurity awareness page for resources and training provided by Microsoft security experts, enabling everyone in your organization to become a cyber defender. Let us all acknowledge the importance of diversity in cybersecurity and its critical role in safeguarding our future and shaping a history we can be proud of.

To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us on LinkedIn (Microsoft Security) and X (@MSFTSecurity) for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.

¹Advancing gender parity in entrepreneurship: strategies for a more equitable future, World Economic Forum, January 20, 2025.

²Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact, McKinsey and Company, December 5, 2023.

³2024 ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, ISC2, October 31, 2024.