GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Security Industry Statistics

Diversity in security boosts innovation, but widespread inclusion efforts are limited.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Companies with diverse security teams are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors

Statistic 2

About 55% of minority security professionals have faced bias or discrimination in hiring

Statistic 3

Black security professionals report a 32% higher rate of workplace microaggressions compared to white colleagues

Statistic 4

70% of security organizations agree that diverse teams improve problem-solving, but only 35% have measurable diversity goals

Statistic 5

60% of minority security employees report feeling excluded from decision-making processes

Statistic 6

The percentage of security firms offering mentorship programs for underrepresented groups increased by 40% over three years

Statistic 7

On average, minority security employees earn 15% less than their majority counterparts in the same roles

Statistic 8

45% of security industry employees believe that increasing diversity would positively impact company reputation

Statistic 9

80% of security companies with strong DEI cultures report higher employee engagement scores

Statistic 10

Security industry apprenticeships targeting underrepresented groups increased by 50% in the last two years, supporting more inclusive workforce development

Statistic 11

Only 12% of security organizations actively track their diversity metrics, indicating a need for better data collection

Statistic 12

Leadership diversity in security companies improved by 25% after targeted inclusion initiatives, according to recent surveys

Statistic 13

67% of security organizations have implemented DEI policies in the past five years

Statistic 14

40% of security job postings lack diversity statements, indicating a gap in DEI commitment

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35% of security companies have implemented anonymous hiring processes to reduce bias, up from 15% five years ago

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Nearly 30% of women in security roles have experienced harassment, prompting organizations to implement stricter policies

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52% of security firms recognize the importance of DEI training, but only 27% have comprehensive programs

Statistic 18

Inclusion training increased employee satisfaction scores by 22% in several security organizations

Statistic 19

Only 10% of security industry awards recognize diversity and inclusion initiatives, highlighting a recognition gap

Statistic 20

65% of minority security professionals feel their contributions are undervalued compared to majority colleagues

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58% of security managers believe their teams would benefit from additional DEI training, but only 33% have access to it

Statistic 22

70% of security firms report that diversity enhances their innovation capabilities, yet only 40% have concrete plans to improve DEI

Statistic 23

The average tenure of women in security roles is 3.5 years, compared to 5.2 years for men

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The retention rate of minority security staff is 25% lower than their non-minority counterparts

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Women make up approximately 20% of security personnel worldwide

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Minority groups represent about 30% of security industry employees in the United States

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45% of security industry employees report experiencing some form of workplace discrimination

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Only 15% of security industry leadership roles are held by women

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Millennials and Gen Z comprise 60% of the new security workforce, emphasizing the need for inclusive practices

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Women in cybersecurity roles within the security industry earn approximately 20% less than male counterparts

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LGBTQ+ professionals constitute about 8% of security industry workers, a proportion considered underrepresented

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25% of security industry professionals believe their organizations lack a true DEI strategy

Statistic 33

Only 18% of security industry conferences feature panels on DEI topics, indicating limited focus

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Key Highlights

  • Women make up approximately 20% of security personnel worldwide
  • Minority groups represent about 30% of security industry employees in the United States
  • 45% of security industry employees report experiencing some form of workplace discrimination
  • Companies with diverse security teams are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
  • Only 15% of security industry leadership roles are held by women
  • About 55% of minority security professionals have faced bias or discrimination in hiring
  • 67% of security organizations have implemented DEI policies in the past five years
  • The average tenure of women in security roles is 3.5 years, compared to 5.2 years for men
  • Millennials and Gen Z comprise 60% of the new security workforce, emphasizing the need for inclusive practices
  • 52% of security firms recognize the importance of DEI training, but only 27% have comprehensive programs
  • The retention rate of minority security staff is 25% lower than their non-minority counterparts
  • 40% of security job postings lack diversity statements, indicating a gap in DEI commitment
  • Black security professionals report a 32% higher rate of workplace microaggressions compared to white colleagues

Despite growing recognition of the power of diversity in boosting innovation and performance, the security industry continues to grapple with significant gaps in representation, inclusion, and leadership, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive DEI strategies to foster a more equitable and resilient workforce.

Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

  • Companies with diverse security teams are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
  • About 55% of minority security professionals have faced bias or discrimination in hiring
  • Black security professionals report a 32% higher rate of workplace microaggressions compared to white colleagues
  • 70% of security organizations agree that diverse teams improve problem-solving, but only 35% have measurable diversity goals
  • 60% of minority security employees report feeling excluded from decision-making processes
  • The percentage of security firms offering mentorship programs for underrepresented groups increased by 40% over three years
  • On average, minority security employees earn 15% less than their majority counterparts in the same roles
  • 45% of security industry employees believe that increasing diversity would positively impact company reputation
  • 80% of security companies with strong DEI cultures report higher employee engagement scores
  • Security industry apprenticeships targeting underrepresented groups increased by 50% in the last two years, supporting more inclusive workforce development
  • Only 12% of security organizations actively track their diversity metrics, indicating a need for better data collection
  • Leadership diversity in security companies improved by 25% after targeted inclusion initiatives, according to recent surveys

Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

Despite growing recognition of the benefits that diverse teams bring to security firms, including a 35% likelihood of outperforming competitors and higher employee engagement, the industry still faces significant hurdles—such as persistent bias, microaggressions, and inadequate measurement—highlighting that truly inclusive security workplaces require more than just increased mentorship programs and superficial diversity goals.

Industry Practices and Policies

  • 67% of security organizations have implemented DEI policies in the past five years
  • 40% of security job postings lack diversity statements, indicating a gap in DEI commitment
  • 35% of security companies have implemented anonymous hiring processes to reduce bias, up from 15% five years ago
  • Nearly 30% of women in security roles have experienced harassment, prompting organizations to implement stricter policies

Industry Practices and Policies Interpretation

While a growing number of security firms embrace DEI initiatives—like anonymous hiring and stricter harassment policies—the fact that 40% of job postings lack diversity statements highlights that the industry still has a long way to go in translating policy into genuine inclusion.

Recognition, Training, and Awareness

  • 52% of security firms recognize the importance of DEI training, but only 27% have comprehensive programs
  • Inclusion training increased employee satisfaction scores by 22% in several security organizations
  • Only 10% of security industry awards recognize diversity and inclusion initiatives, highlighting a recognition gap
  • 65% of minority security professionals feel their contributions are undervalued compared to majority colleagues
  • 58% of security managers believe their teams would benefit from additional DEI training, but only 33% have access to it
  • 70% of security firms report that diversity enhances their innovation capabilities, yet only 40% have concrete plans to improve DEI

Recognition, Training, and Awareness Interpretation

Despite over half of security firms acknowledging the importance of DEI training, the stark gap between recognition and comprehensive implementation—highlighted by low award recognition, undervalued minority professionals, and limited access to meaningful programs—reveals that the industry’s true security lies not just in policies, but in genuine inclusion that fosters innovation and employee satisfaction.

Retention and Career Progression

  • The average tenure of women in security roles is 3.5 years, compared to 5.2 years for men
  • The retention rate of minority security staff is 25% lower than their non-minority counterparts

Retention and Career Progression Interpretation

These stark disparities highlight that despite strides toward diversity, the security industry still faces a pressing challenge: turning short tenures into long-term opportunities for women and minorities to truly secure their place—and their future—in the field.

Workforce Composition and Representation

  • Women make up approximately 20% of security personnel worldwide
  • Minority groups represent about 30% of security industry employees in the United States
  • 45% of security industry employees report experiencing some form of workplace discrimination
  • Only 15% of security industry leadership roles are held by women
  • Millennials and Gen Z comprise 60% of the new security workforce, emphasizing the need for inclusive practices
  • Women in cybersecurity roles within the security industry earn approximately 20% less than male counterparts
  • LGBTQ+ professionals constitute about 8% of security industry workers, a proportion considered underrepresented
  • 25% of security industry professionals believe their organizations lack a true DEI strategy
  • Only 18% of security industry conferences feature panels on DEI topics, indicating limited focus

Workforce Composition and Representation Interpretation

Despite making up a significant portion of the workforce, women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ professionals remain underrepresented and undervalued in security—a stark reminder that cultivating true diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a moral imperative but essential for the industry’s resilience and relevance.