Sexism, Imposter Syndrome, and Success: Women in Cybersecurity Are Done Staying Quiet
Last week, I attended a discussion at the Black Hat security conference that provided a safe space for participants to discuss gender-specific challenges in the workplace. The panel, called "Hacking the Status Quo: Tales from Leading Women in Cybersecurity," included Ashley Shen, Natalie Silvanovich, Valentina Palmiotti, and Kymberlee Price, who shared their experiences of dealing with sexism, imposter syndrome, and finding success in male-dominated fields like cybersecurity.
The panelists offered a range of advice for anyone seeking a fulfilling career in cybersecurity. One key takeaway is the importance of trying new things and taking advantage of online resources. Valentina Palmiotti, who made a mid-career switch from public health to cybersecurity, recommended studying public research online and reaching out to people who are doing the work you want to do to find out what the jobs entail.
Another key takeaway is the need for community and support. Kymberlee Price emphasized that women in cybersecurity are not alone and encouraged audience members to proactively create or join communities where they can share their work experiences or get sanity checks. Ashley Shen, who is a self-taught security engineer at Cisco, recommended joining panels at conferences like Black Hat or pitching research presentations at other events throughout the year.
The women on the panel all said that they felt pressured to be extraordinary in their jobs and prove themselves to their colleagues. Valentina Palmiotti expressed frustration with not being given the benefit of the doubt by coworkers or managers, while Natalie Silvanovich noted that it's often hard to know what a "typical" security path will look like.
Price also discussed the importance of self-care and avoiding burnout or bouts of imposter syndrome. She recommended giving yourself grace in the face of work-related challenges and celebrating your unique self, rather than trying to "prove" your worth to others. Ashley Shen added that it's wise not to overshare with coworkers and instead participate in conferences and meetups outside of work to showcase your skills and connect with like-minded individuals.
The Panelists' Advice
- Try new things: There's always time for a career change. Study public research online, reach out to potential mentors, and take advantage of online resources.
- Find community: Create or join communities where you can share your work experiences or get sanity checks. Attend conferences, join panels, and pitch research presentations.
- There's no typical path to a security career. Be yourself, don't try to impress anyone, and celebrate your unique self.
The panelists' advice offers a range of insights for women seeking a fulfilling career in cybersecurity. By trying new things, finding community, and being their authentic selves, they can overcome sexism, imposter syndrome, and find success in male-dominated fields like cybersecurity.