As the cybersecurity industry continues to grapple with a critical talent shortage, with over 3.5 million unfilled positions globally, International Women in Cyber Day 2025 serves as a vital reminder of the untapped potential within our workforce. This annual observance, held on September 1, highlights the achievements of women in cybersecurity while addressing the persistent gender gap that sees women representing only 25% of the global cyber workforce. From C-suite executives to emerging threat analysts, women across the cybersecurity spectrum are driving innovation, leading incident response teams, and developing the next generation of security solutions that protect our increasingly digital world.
To mark this important day, VMblog reached out to prominent women leaders across the cybersecurity landscape to gather their perspectives on career advancement, overcoming industry challenges, and advice for the next generation of female cyber professionals. Their insights reveal both the progress made and the work still ahead in creating a more inclusive and diverse cybersecurity community. From seasoned CISOs sharing lessons learned from decades in the field to rising stars discussing mentorship and skill development, these voices collectively paint a picture of an industry in transformation – one where women are not just participants but catalysts for meaningful change in how we approach digital security and risk management.
++
ZOYA SCHALLER, DIRECTOR OF CYBERSECURITY COMPLIANCE, KEEPER SECURITY
International Women in Cybersecurity Day gives us a chance to recognize the women who are helping shape this field. Cybersecurity is a tough, fast-moving discipline and it takes people with focus, skill and creativity to meet its challenges.
The women working in this space are doing exactly that � solving problems, building solutions and strengthening the systems we rely on every day. Their contributions make a real difference in keeping people and organizations safe, and it�s worth pausing to celebrate that.
++
Michelle King, Senior Sales Director, Americas, Index Engines
I deeply admire the incredible work our engineers do, but for Women in Cybersecurity Day, it�s important to highlight that there are many opportunities for women with diverse strengths and skill sets � not just in technical roles. Cyber threats have real-world impact, and it takes all of us to understand them, communicate them, and solve them. Cybersecurity is a collective effort. Every woman working for a cybersecurity company � whether in sales, operations, project management, marketing, or tech � is a woman in cybersecurity. Today we celebrate all of them.
++
Cynthia Tee, Chief Technology Officer at Smartsheet
International Women in Cyber Day is more than just a celebration. It�s a call to action to keep promoting diversity and inclusion in a vital sector that shapes our future. Cybersecurity and technology departments flourish when they reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Throughout my career, I�ve intentionally set the foundation for inclusive environments where women and other underrepresented groups can overcome any barriers and put them on a path to success.
At Smartsheet, I�m proud to lead a team that values openness and healthy debate. We believe that diversity boosts creativity and resilience, which are key qualities needed to navigate the complex world of modern technology and make a positive business and community impact. By encouraging a culture of learning, collaboration, and empowerment, we can help our teams and customers succeed in an increasingly digital and connected world.
We must keep opening doors, mentoring future leaders, and challenging the status quo to build a technology workforce that is truly representative, fair, and ready to face tomorrow�s challenges with confidence and creativity.
++
Brooke Motta, CEO & co-founder of RAD Security
The cybersecurity industry can be a tough place for women, and it’s full of noise, egos, and shiny distractions. I believe in passing on knowledge to the next generation of female leadership. That means you start by finding people you respect, and learn from how they operate as well as what they say. Then you turn around to be that person for someone else. It’s the only way to drive ourselves forward in a field that is too often male-dominated.
++
Susanne Hasse, Principal Solutions Architect at One Identity
When I first saw Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek, I didn�t consider just how radical it was to see a female character in such a technical role. I just saw a team where everyone mattered. That same idea has guided me through my 25 year career in cybersecurity. I�ve had to prove myself in rooms where people assumed the expertise lay with my male colleagues, but every time that happened it just reinforced the idea that presence and persistence can shift perceptions. For me, Women in Cyber Day is about exactly that: encouraging women to own their strengths, to speak up, and to help build environments where collaboration and diversity aren�t just checkboxes, but everyday practices.
++
Caitlin Condon, VP of security research at VulnCheck
I’ve watched participation in the security industry shift over the past 15 years, incorporating a growing number of folks with different backgrounds, skill sets, and perspectives. As a woman with an unconventional background in this space, I’m optimistic about the range of experiences new folks are bringing to the table and how their points of view can help us solve old problems in new ways.
One of the things I’ve heard year over year from pen testers, security engineers, and SOC analysts alike is that, as an industry, there are so many foundational problems we haven’t yet solved � problems like vulnerability prioritization, for instance, which has somehow managed to weigh down multiple generations of the security workforce as a pain point. In my eyes, we’re entering a particularly exciting era of technological innovation that has also heralded new modes of thinking about risk, both of which benefit from fresh eyes and approaches. The people and technologies on the front lines of cyber threat defense today need smart, scalable solutions more urgently than ever, and while cyber still has a relatively high barrier to entry, I’m encouraged by broadening awareness of cybersecurity as a core component of everyday life at virtually every level.
++
Ruth Okofu, InfoSec Operations Engineer, Lastwall
In my career leading teams through tough security and compliance programs, I�ve seen how often women are underestimated or overlooked in cybersecurity. Early on, there were very few women in the room when critical risk decisions were made. That lack of visibility can hold us back, even when the expertise is there.
But I�ve also seen the difference when women are trusted to lead. They deliver results and bring new perspectives that strengthen how teams approach problems. Progress is happening as more women step into leadership roles and mentor others, but we need to go further.
Organizations must take real action such as creating fair promotion paths, sponsoring women into decision-making roles, and ensuring their voices are visible at conferences, in research, and within leadership seats. Cybersecurity is about resilience. Resilience comes from diversity. Empowering women isn�t just inclusion � it�s a strategy for a stronger, more secure industry.
++
Stephanie Aceves, Senior Director of Product Management, Tanium
International Women in Cyber Day is a chance to celebrate progress, but also to recognize the gaps that remain. Globally, women now make up almost 30% of entry-level STEM roles, but only 12% of C-suite positions, according to AllianzCare.That gap is real � but it�s also an opportunity. In cybersecurity especially, where diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to innovate and defend against threats, increasing representation isn�t just the right thing to do, it�s essential for progress.
My advice to women in cyber is simple: be visible. Visibility isn�t self-promotion � it�s leadership. By stepping onto panels, mentoring early-career talent, or sharing your story, you create a ripple effect that inspires others and makes the path clearer for those who follow.
Leaders also play a crucial role. Mentorship matters, but true change comes when women are actively sponsored for stretch assignments, high-impact projects, and leadership opportunities. And just as cybersecurity is powered by data, so too should our approach to diversity: by studying women�s real experiences, we can build environments where they thrive.
Cybersecurity thrives on curiosity, grit, and resilience. Women bring all of that and more. Our task now is to ensure they have every opportunity to lead the future of this industry.
++
Sandy Dunn, CISO at SPLX
What excites me most about being CISO at SPLX is working at the intersection of AI, strategy, and people. I�m passionate about the possibilities AI brings, and our mission at SPLX is to support organizations deploying AI safely and securely. Every day I have the opportunity to shape how organizations use AI to operate with confidence and deliver greater value to their customers. I believe cybersecurity is more than a job, it�s a calling. It�s also a team sport, which is why being part of a community dedicated to securing AI is so important to me. The best way to protect people and build trust in a digital society is by working together, and communities that embrace diversity of thought across gender, background, and discipline make us faster, stronger, and better. That shared sense of mission, combined with the pace of innovation, is what keeps me passionate about my work.
++
Ellen Boehm, SVP, IoT Strategy & Operations at Keyfactor
The cybersecurity industry is such an exciting place to be, as we continue to drive awareness on why it�s so important to secure our systems that drive our lives, whether that�s critical infrastructure, basic services, or network connectivity.
What�s exciting about my job is that I get the chance to learn about new and emerging technologies that our customers are adopting, such as the use of AI agents to learn processes and autonomously take actions with the goal of saving time or money for people. It�s really fun to think about the possibilities that this new tech can enable, while also developing best practices on how to secure these future systems.
I�m inspired when I see other women in cyber solving problems, creating solutions, talking about best practices and being role models. Organizations like WiCyS continue to grow membership and provide a community for women to network and learn more about this growing industry.
##
