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Gender Inequality in Cybersecurity: Exploring the Gender Gap in Opportunities and Progression

Peacock, Donna and Irons, Alastair (2017) Gender Inequality in Cybersecurity: Exploring the Gender Gap in Opportunities and Progression. International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 9 (1). ISSN 2040-0748

Item Type: Article

Abstract

This paper considers the impact of gender in the cybersecurity industry. There is currently significant underrepresentation of females in the industry caused by low numbers of women entering the field and compounded by a high rate of women choosing to leave a highly male dominated work environment.
The findings are based upon a quantitative study conducted by means of an online survey. The research considers the motivations, experiences and progression of those working within cybersecurity roles with a focus predominantly on the UK. The findings from the research indicate that computer security offers an interesting, exciting and challenging work environment, job security, and excellent opportunities for progression and development. Barriers remain for women though; despite the perception that anyone with the ‘right skills, knowledge and experience can work in cybersecurity’, it is clear that the respondents to this study feel that computer security is viewed as a ‘man’s job’ by wider society and by customers and clients and that there is perceived gender inequality in recruitment, opportunities and progression.

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More Information

Depositing User: Donna Peacock

Identifiers

Item ID: 6910
Identification Number: Unable to confirm DOI
ISSN: 2040-0748
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/6910
Official URL: http://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderand...

Users with ORCIDS

ORCID for Alastair Irons: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-5174-6596

Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 09 Feb 2017 16:20
Last Modified: 15 Dec 2020 14:00

Contributors

Author: Alastair Irons ORCID iD
Author: Donna Peacock

University Divisions

Faculty of Education and Society
Faculty of Education and Society > School of Social Sciences

Subjects

Social Sciences > Sociology

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