Cybersecurity is booming, and the industry is facing a massive talent shortage. By 2022 the sector is projected to add about 40 percent to its workforce worldwide (or about 2 million jobs). This opens up the opportunity for well-paying, secure positions for candidates with the right qualifications. It is said that companies with a gender-diverse board typically have higher returns on assets, and companies with a gender-diverse employee base tend to have financial returns that top national industry averages.

While the stereotypes that keep women from pursuing cybersecurity careers are false, they can also be a self-fulfilling prophecy. From an early age, young women are told they can't go into tech, and they may be steered away from pursuing coursework to prepare for a career in the field. Women who do break through those barriers and join an IT security team may find themselves surrounded by men, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of unconscious bias that makes it harder for women to find opportunities and advance.

The only way to shift those biases is to get more women in cybersecurity positions and ultimately leadership. In doing so, we need to shift the perception of what cybersecurity is and isn't. Those who thrive in the field of cybersecurity understand that, again, it's not fundamentally about tech; it's about protecting people from harm and tracking down those who compromised their data.

There are significant barriers for women trying to get started in cybersecurity, but there are ways for determined women to break through those barriers. Getting started in cybersecurity requires a combination of technical skills, soft skills, and confidence. The way to develop all those abilities is through training from a highly regarded cybersecurity bachelor's degree program at the cutting edge of the field.

As more opportunities for women, particularly in leadership roles, become available to a broader set of candidates, longevity also becomes an attractive recruiting tool. A career in Cyber should be a compelling career path. Women (and men) have the opportunity to quickly make an impact, accelerate professional growth and play an important and lasting role in enabling the future for so many organizations.

By changing the perceptions of careers in cyber, becoming more inclusive in how recruiting and hiring for these roles are conducted, and looking at cyber challenges with a broader perspective, enterprises can create more opportunities for women in the profession. Even more importantly, they can bring new strategic thinking into a profession that faces significant challenges from an ever-evolving threat and business-risk landscape.