A Growing Field with a Gender Gap
As Women4Cyber Belgium cybercrime escalates globally—affecting 97 people every minute—the demand for cybersecurity professionals has reached unprecedented levels. In Europe alone, over 800,000 trained specialists are needed, contributing to a global shortfall of nearly five million. Despite this, women remain significantly underrepresented in the field. Currently, women make up just 22% of the global cybersecurity workforce, and in the EU, 56% of organisations report having no female cybersecurity staff at all.
Recognising this disparity, Women4Cyber Belgium—a branch of the international foundation Women4Cyber—is taking steps to bridge the gender gap. The organisation is committed to changing public perceptions about cybersecurity and encouraging women from all backgrounds to consider careers in this critical sector. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and digital life more pervasive, the inclusion of diverse perspectives in cybersecurity is increasingly vital.
Changing Perceptions, Breaking Barriers
Kayle Giroud, director at the Global Cyber Alliance, and Iva Tasheva, co-founder of CyEn, both serve on the board of Women4Cyber Belgium and are vocal advocates for gender inclusion in cybersecurity. Speaking in an interview, they emphasized that cybersecurity is far more diverse than the typical image of “men in hoodies hacking in basements.” Giroud, who transitioned from political science to cybersecurity policy, is a prime example of the varied pathways into the field.
Tasheva stressed that not all roles in cybersecurity involve hands-on coding. “It’s a whole universe, like medicine or economics,” she explained. From ethical hacking and risk assessment to policy, compliance, and education, the sector offers opportunities that suit a wide range of skill sets. She highlighted the growing demand for professionals from backgrounds such as psychology, social sciences, and law to help tackle the human and regulatory aspects of cybersecurity.
Despite increasing female participation in STEM fields, Giroud and Tasheva acknowledged that societal perceptions and a lack of visibility continue to hinder women’s entry into cybersecurity. “You won’t try something if you don’t see someone like you doing it,” said Tasheva. Women4Cyber Belgium hopes to address these challenges through mentorship, networking, and awareness initiatives.
Empowering the Next Generation of Cyber Professionals
Founded in 2019, Women4Cyber Belgium provides support through mentorships, professional development, and community events. The organisation regularly hosts online coffee chats, workshops, and conferences that connect women with industry experts and policymakers. Recent events have included appearances from a space engineer working in cybersecurity, underscoring the field’s interdisciplinary nature.
Giroud and Tasheva also act as mentors, guiding young professionals toward viable careers in the sector. One of their mentees recently participated in a European Commission hackathon—and was part of the winning team. “It just goes to show that diverse teams hack better,” Tasheva noted proudly.
Women4Cyber Belgium invites recent graduates, career switchers, and anyone curious about the field to get involved. Student membership costs just €10 annually, offering access to exclusive events and mentorship programs. Interested individuals can visit the Women4Cyber website or follow their LinkedIn page for updates and opportunities.
With dedicated efforts to promote inclusion and diversity, Women4Cyber Belgium is flipping the narrative—and the gender ratio—in cybersecurity.
