In an industry predominantly dominated by men, women continue to face challenges, stereotypes, and barriers in the field of cybersecurity. The recent keynote address at the IT World Canada Top Women in Cybersecurity event shed light on the struggles and biases faced by women in this male-dominated profession. Laura Payne, the Chief Enablement Officer and Vice-President of Security Consulting at White Tuque, highlighted the limitations of relying on AI chatbots like ChatGPT to create realistic scenarios for women pursuing careers in cybersecurity.
During the event, Payne requested the chatbot to generate a story about a woman who excelled in cybersecurity and defied expectations. The chatbot came up with the character of Emily Roberts, who exhibited exceptional talent and determination from a young age. Emily overcame several challenges, secured a scholarship to a university, excelled in her coursework, and eventually joined a prestigious cybersecurity firm’s incident response team. Her team successfully neutralized an attack on a financial institution and recovered stolen data, thus becoming an inspiration to others and eventually rising to the position of a Chief Security Officer (CSO).
While the story created by ChatGPT had a positive outcome, Payne emphasized the problematic aspects it portrayed. Firstly, the chatbot assigned the protagonist an Anglo-Saxon name, which failed to acknowledge the diverse backgrounds and experiences of women in the cybersecurity field. She emphasized the importance of showcasing authentic role models and mentors for aspiring professionals who come from various backgrounds.
Secondly, Payne highlighted the misconception that individuals must start focusing on cybersecurity at a young age. In reality, many successful professionals in the field transition from unrelated undergraduate degrees to computer science later in their careers.
Thirdly, the chatbot’s story didn’t reflect the lack of early recognition and support that most women experience along their journey. Payne stated that while a few individuals may cheer you on, most people will be too preoccupied with their own endeavors to notice your achievements. However, she emphasized that not having universal support does not hinder success.
Fourthly, the story falsely depicted a linear progression of Emily’s career, portraying her rapid ascension to the role of a CSO. In truth, such advancements typically take years rather than the short timespan depicted in the fabricated story. Payne stressed that the stories we share often skip the hard work, resilience, and continuous effort required to achieve success in the industry.
Moreover, Emily’s story failed to address the biases, challenges, and conflicts women face in the male-dominated industry. Issues like personality conflicts, job-related stress, and balancing family responsibilities and career aspirations were completely overlooked.
Payne emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals who can provide perspective and guidance during challenging times. Additionally, she showcased the diverse career paths available in the cybersecurity field, beyond just incident response. The event recognized 20 finalists as Top Women in Cybersecurity for 2023, spreading their inspiring stories and highlighting the vast range of specialties within the profession.
The keynote address brought attention to the obstacles faced by women in cybersecurity, urging the industry to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. While chatbots may be helpful in certain areas, they should not be solely relied upon to shape career paths, as they may reinforce stereotypes and fail to capture the reality and complexities faced by underrepresented groups.
It is crucial to promote genuine representations, acknowledge the challenges and biases in the industry, and provide aspiring professionals with an accurate understanding of the hard work and dedication required to achieve success. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, the cybersecurity field can harness the talents and interests of individuals from all backgrounds and create a more equitable future.
