GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Cybersecurity Industry Statistics

Industry faces diversity challenges; inclusive efforts improve innovation and security outcomes.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Women make up approximately 24% of the cybersecurity workforce

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Only about 12% of cybersecurity professionals are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups

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The percentage of minority cybersecurity professionals has increased by only 3% over the past five years

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Only 19% of cybersecurity leadership roles are held by women

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People of color represent just over 15% of the cybersecurity workforce

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41% of cybersecurity professionals identify as having a disability, yet under 10% of cybersecurity roles are filled by people with disabilities

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Less than 10% of cybersecurity training programs specifically target underrepresented groups

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Companies with diverse cybersecurity teams are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse peers in security outcomes

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The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in cybersecurity is estimated to be around 10%

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The average age of cybersecurity professionals is 32 years old, with underrepresented groups being slightly younger

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Only 15% of cybersecurity internships are targeted toward minority and underrepresented groups

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About 40% of cybersecurity entry-level roles are filled by women, but retention rates are lower than for men

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Only 22% of cybersecurity certifications are awarded to women, according to industry reports

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The percentage of cybersecurity firms with diverse interview panels increased from 28% to 52% over five years

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Only about 8% of cybersecurity leadership roles are held by individuals from underrepresented backgrounds

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The proportion of cybersecurity teams composed of at least 40% women is only around 15%

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Less than 10% of cybersecurity leadership programs are aimed specifically at women and minorities

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Only 15% of cybersecurity teams globally are composed of a balanced mix of gender, ethnicity, and background

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There is a 35% gap in representation between men and women in cybersecurity, despite similar levels of educational attainment

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On average, women in cybersecurity earn 20% less than their male counterparts

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85% of organizations with significant diversity initiatives reported increased cybersecurity effectiveness

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The industry has seen a 35% increase in inclusion-focused programs over the past three years

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Investments in diversity and inclusion initiatives in cybersecurity increased by 45% in 2022

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72% of cybersecurity leaders agree that diversity is a priority for their organizations, but only 30% have measurable DEI goals

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Less than 25% of cybersecurity job postings explicitly state diversity commitments

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45% of companies have established dedicated diversity and inclusion roles within their cybersecurity departments

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The number of firms providing targeted scholarships for underrepresented groups in cybersecurity increased by 50% in 2022

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Less than 20% of cybersecurity conferences feature panels specifically focused on DEI topics

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40% of cybersecurity organizations have formal mentoring programs aimed at underrepresented groups

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65% of organizations have implemented unconscious bias training in their cybersecurity hiring practices

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Women in cybersecurity are 1.5 times more likely than men to pursue ongoing education and certifications

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60% of cybersecurity firms have difficulty recruiting diverse candidates

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70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that diversity enhances innovation and problem-solving

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Nearly 50% of cybersecurity employees report experiencing bias during their hiring or promotion processes

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68% of women in cybersecurity have experienced some form of workplace harassment

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55% of women in cybersecurity plan to leave the industry within five years due to lack of advancement opportunities

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Cybersecurity firms with diverse workforces are 29% more likely to report better financial performance

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80% of cybersecurity managers agree that supporting diversity and inclusion improves team productivity

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Nearly 60% of cybersecurity professionals from minority groups report experiencing feelings of exclusion, leading to higher turnover

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70% of organizations believe that increasing diversity in cybersecurity directly correlates with a reduction in security breaches

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Companies with employee resource groups dedicated to diversity and inclusion see a 25% higher retention rate among cybersecurity staff

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55% of women in cybersecurity report experiencing imposter syndrome, impacting career progression

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Nearly 30% of cybersecurity job applicants from underrepresented backgrounds do not proceed past initial screening, citing bias or lack of accommodations

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80% of cybersecurity firms have included DEI metrics in their annual reports, but only 30% actively track progress against these metrics

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65% of cybersecurity hiring managers acknowledge that increasing diversity improves organizational innovation

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Over 50% of cybersecurity practitioners expressed a desire for more inclusive workplace policies, such as flexible work arrangements and anti-discrimination measures

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Cybersecurity companies that promote inclusive cultures have 22% higher employee satisfaction scores

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75% of cybersecurity professionals believe that diversity initiatives should be a core part of corporate strategy

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 24% of the cybersecurity workforce
Only about 12% of cybersecurity professionals are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
The percentage of minority cybersecurity professionals has increased by only 3% over the past five years
60% of cybersecurity firms have difficulty recruiting diverse candidates
On average, women in cybersecurity earn 20% less than their male counterparts
Only 19% of cybersecurity leadership roles are held by women
People of color represent just over 15% of the cybersecurity workforce
70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that diversity enhances innovation and problem-solving
Nearly 50% of cybersecurity employees report experiencing bias during their hiring or promotion processes
85% of organizations with significant diversity initiatives reported increased cybersecurity effectiveness
68% of women in cybersecurity have experienced some form of workplace harassment
The industry has seen a 35% increase in inclusion-focused programs over the past three years
41% of cybersecurity professionals identify as having a disability, yet under 10% of cybersecurity roles are filled by people with disabilities

Despite the cybersecurity industry’s crucial role in safeguarding our digital world, women and underrepresented groups remain significantly underrepresented, highlighting both the urgent need and promising potential for more inclusive and diverse cybersecurity workplaces.

Demographic Representation and Diversity Metrics

Women make up approximately 24% of the cybersecurity workforce
Only about 12% of cybersecurity professionals are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
The percentage of minority cybersecurity professionals has increased by only 3% over the past five years
Only 19% of cybersecurity leadership roles are held by women
People of color represent just over 15% of the cybersecurity workforce
41% of cybersecurity professionals identify as having a disability, yet under 10% of cybersecurity roles are filled by people with disabilities
Less than 10% of cybersecurity training programs specifically target underrepresented groups
Companies with diverse cybersecurity teams are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse peers in security outcomes
The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in cybersecurity is estimated to be around 10%
The average age of cybersecurity professionals is 32 years old, with underrepresented groups being slightly younger
Only 15% of cybersecurity internships are targeted toward minority and underrepresented groups
About 40% of cybersecurity entry-level roles are filled by women, but retention rates are lower than for men
Only 22% of cybersecurity certifications are awarded to women, according to industry reports
The percentage of cybersecurity firms with diverse interview panels increased from 28% to 52% over five years
Only about 8% of cybersecurity leadership roles are held by individuals from underrepresented backgrounds
The proportion of cybersecurity teams composed of at least 40% women is only around 15%
Less than 10% of cybersecurity leadership programs are aimed specifically at women and minorities
Only 15% of cybersecurity teams globally are composed of a balanced mix of gender, ethnicity, and background
There is a 35% gap in representation between men and women in cybersecurity, despite similar levels of educational attainment

Demographic Representation and Diversity Metrics Interpretation

Despite women constituting nearly a quarter of the cybersecurity workforce, the stark underrepresentation of minorities, women in leadership, and individuals with disabilities reveals that the industry's diversity efforts remain a work in progress, proving that technological innovation alone cannot bridge the gap without targeted inclusion initiatives.

Gender and Minority Salary and Leadership Gaps

On average, women in cybersecurity earn 20% less than their male counterparts

Gender and Minority Salary and Leadership Gaps Interpretation

While progress has been made in the cybersecurity industry, the 20% salary gap for women underscores that achieving true diversity, equity, and inclusion remains an urgent challenge demanding systemic change.

Organizational Initiatives and Industry Trends

85% of organizations with significant diversity initiatives reported increased cybersecurity effectiveness
The industry has seen a 35% increase in inclusion-focused programs over the past three years
Investments in diversity and inclusion initiatives in cybersecurity increased by 45% in 2022
72% of cybersecurity leaders agree that diversity is a priority for their organizations, but only 30% have measurable DEI goals
Less than 25% of cybersecurity job postings explicitly state diversity commitments
45% of companies have established dedicated diversity and inclusion roles within their cybersecurity departments
The number of firms providing targeted scholarships for underrepresented groups in cybersecurity increased by 50% in 2022
Less than 20% of cybersecurity conferences feature panels specifically focused on DEI topics
40% of cybersecurity organizations have formal mentoring programs aimed at underrepresented groups

Organizational Initiatives and Industry Trends Interpretation

While nearly three-quarters of cybersecurity leaders acknowledge diversity as a strategic priority, the persistent gap between expressed commitment and measurable action underscores that without concrete DEI goals, targeted programs, and open dialogue—like featuring diverse perspectives at conferences—the industry risks leaving its inclusivity efforts as mere digital echo chambers rather than transformative safeguards.

Training, Certifications, and Career Development

65% of organizations have implemented unconscious bias training in their cybersecurity hiring practices
Women in cybersecurity are 1.5 times more likely than men to pursue ongoing education and certifications

Training, Certifications, and Career Development Interpretation

While 65% of organizations are acknowledging unconscious bias in cybersecurity hiring, the fact that women are 1.5 times more likely to seek ongoing education highlights both their resilience and the urgent need for a more inclusive industry that capitalizes on diverse talent.

Workplace Inclusion and Culture

60% of cybersecurity firms have difficulty recruiting diverse candidates
70% of cybersecurity professionals believe that diversity enhances innovation and problem-solving
Nearly 50% of cybersecurity employees report experiencing bias during their hiring or promotion processes
68% of women in cybersecurity have experienced some form of workplace harassment
55% of women in cybersecurity plan to leave the industry within five years due to lack of advancement opportunities
Cybersecurity firms with diverse workforces are 29% more likely to report better financial performance
80% of cybersecurity managers agree that supporting diversity and inclusion improves team productivity
Nearly 60% of cybersecurity professionals from minority groups report experiencing feelings of exclusion, leading to higher turnover
70% of organizations believe that increasing diversity in cybersecurity directly correlates with a reduction in security breaches
Companies with employee resource groups dedicated to diversity and inclusion see a 25% higher retention rate among cybersecurity staff
55% of women in cybersecurity report experiencing imposter syndrome, impacting career progression
Nearly 30% of cybersecurity job applicants from underrepresented backgrounds do not proceed past initial screening, citing bias or lack of accommodations
80% of cybersecurity firms have included DEI metrics in their annual reports, but only 30% actively track progress against these metrics
65% of cybersecurity hiring managers acknowledge that increasing diversity improves organizational innovation
Over 50% of cybersecurity practitioners expressed a desire for more inclusive workplace policies, such as flexible work arrangements and anti-discrimination measures
Cybersecurity companies that promote inclusive cultures have 22% higher employee satisfaction scores
75% of cybersecurity professionals believe that diversity initiatives should be a core part of corporate strategy

Workplace Inclusion and Culture Interpretation

While 60% of cybersecurity firms struggle to recruit diverse talent and nearly half of employees face bias and harassment, the compelling evidence remains—embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion isn't just ethical; it's a smart cybersecurity strategy, boosting innovation, performance, and team resilience.