Melissa Wong was a cybersecurity expert at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) when she received the 2017 Women of Color STEM Award for her achievements in systems engineering at the Women of Color STEM Conference.
A former U.S. Air Force captain, Wong also served as a civil servant with NASA and the National Security Agency, as well as a contractor with Lockheed Martin.
She holds a bachelor's degree in computer and systems engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master's in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University, and another master's in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Wong joined numerous APL staff members who were honored at the Women of Color STEM Awards.
In October 2023, ISC2, an international nonprofit membership association dedicated to promoting a safe and secure cyber world and known for its prestigious CISSP certification, published a report titled "How the Economy, Skills Gap, and Artificial Intelligence are Challenging the Global Cybersecurity Workforce."
This study collected insights from nearly 15,000 professionals and highlighted growth in the cybersecurity workforce and the workforce gap.
However, the findings also indicated that cybersecurity teams have faced cutbacks and anticipate more reductions, despite the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the solutions they must implement and the threats they confront.
The data revealed that the global cybersecurity workforce grew by 8.7% year-on-year, reaching 5.5 million professionals worldwide.
Although this growth is significant, the increase in the cybersecurity workforce gap outpaced the growth in the active workforce.
The shortfall between the number of workers needed and the number available rose by 12.6% year-on-year, reaching 4 million worldwide. One contributing factor to this issue is the shift to cloud computing.
According to hiring managers, cloud security is the most sought-after skill in cybersecurity and a key area for professional development.
There is a significant skills gap noted in this area. Following cloud security, zero trust is the next most pressing concern.
Additionally, skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have surged in demand and are now among the top five essential skills for cybersecurity professionals.
Just a year ago, these skills ranked at the bottom of the list and were not mentioned in previous studies.
The entry-level workforce is becoming more diverse. More individuals are joining the industry with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity, and many have transitioned from non-IT roles.
There are now more mid-career entrants than in previous years, and the gender and ethnic representation is shifting.
Despite the high demand for cybersecurity professionals, organizations are still struggling to find enough qualified candidates.
The landscape of skills and technologies used to combat threats is evolving amid ongoing geopolitical and economic instability, which affects unconnected organizations and consumers.
A recent Women In Cybersecurity report highlights the significant underrepresentation of women in the cybersecurity and IT sectors.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, women held approximately 25% of cybersecurity roles globally in 2022. While this marks a positive shift from around 10% in 2013, much work remains to be done.
In 2023, there were 3.5 million unfilled positions in the cybersecurity field, with this shortage expected to persist through 2025.
One study investigated the low participation of women in cybersecurity, focusing on pay scales, skills gaps, training requirements, corporate hiring practices, career progression, and overall attitudes within the industry.
"The under-participation by large segments of our society represents a loss of opportunity for individuals, a loss of talent in the workforce, and a loss of creativity in shaping the future of cybersecurity," said a former president of the International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals. "Not only is it a fundamental equity issue, but it threatens our global economic viability as a nation."
The International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals is committed to the academic and professional success of minority students and professionals.
The organization offers undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, leadership training, professional development, mentoring opportunities, career placement services, and more.
Their mission is "to attract and develop minority cybersecurity professionals worldwide by promoting excellence in our tradecraft and facilitating educational and professional development opportunities."
The Women In Cybersecurity 2023 Report delves into the existing cybersecurity skills gap, recruitment initiatives, how pioneering women in the field are paving the way for future female leaders, and how to support initiatives aimed at expanding STEM careers for women and underrepresented groups.
ISC2 research also indicates that female cybersecurity professionals continue to face challenges regarding fair compensation, a broader issue that transcends the industry.
In the U.S., the pay gap has shown little improvement over the past two decades, while globally, the gender pay gap stands at approximately 20%.
Regarding job titles, more than half (57%) of female participants hold formal security titles such as Security Consultant, Security Analyst, and Security Engineer. In contrast, 43% have informal titles (e.g., IT Manager, IT Director, VP of IT). Men in the study held formal security job titles at a higher rate (63%).
