Gender Dimensions in the Australian Security Industry

Gender Dimensions in the Australian Security Industry

It is widely observed that the Australian security industry is experiencing a skill crisis, with diversity being a key area of disparity. These challenges suggest that the sector is not operating as optimally as it could, given the growing evidence that a more diverse workforce brings greater innovative potential, strategic intellect and problem-solving capacity.

Background

The Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) is a not-for-profit association and network of people aimed at increasing the number of women in the security community through building connections and providing support.

RMIT University, in collaboration with the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN), has conducted a two-phase study on gender dimensions within the Australian security sector. Phase I, carried out in 2022-2023, involved analysing Census and sector survey data to understand gender representation in the industry. Phase II, carried out in 2024, focuses on investigating the reasons behind women’s departure from the cybersecurity workforce and identifying effective strategies to improve their representation in the sector.

Phase II:

The study

This project investigated the reasons for why women are under-representation in Australia’s cyber security workforce and, why the few that do enter the sector, leave the sector. RMIT University undertook a Literature Review and Interviews with women who had left the workforce, in order to understand the issue and make its findings.

Summary:

RMIT University found that a whole-of-sector approach is needed to achieve a more gender equitable and inclusive cyber security workforce in Australia. All dimensions of society – employers, organisational leaders, government, educational bodies, the media, and the wider community – have a role to play in making changes in their policies, practices and attitudes in relation to gender inequity.

The report lists 14 key recommendations.

This Policy Paper synthesises three reports: a Literature Review, Interview Findings, and the Gender Dimensions of the Australian Cyber Security Sector Report (Phase I of this study). 

Among recommendations for government and peak industry bodies, the researchers listed:

  • gender inclusivity training,
  • programs to promote women and girls’ interest in the cyber security profession,
  • primary and secondary school level education programs,
  • support for organisations to conduct internal gender pay gap audits,
  • the collection and publication of gender equality indicators and retention statistics across the profession.

Workplaces were advised to:

  • review and ensure organisational policies are gender neutral and target improving workplace culture and organisational practices,
  • review recruitment practices to reduce unconscious bias and create a fairer hiring environment – including anonymised resumes/CV screening and diverse hiring panels,
  • provide greater flexible work arrangements,
  • implement formal mentoring programs specifically for women and encourage women to pursue professional development opportunities, especially relevant to management or leadership.

Phase I:

AWSN partnered with RMIT University to undertake this sector analysis to develop its baseline knowledge and inform their future activities.

Without a full picture of gender representation in the sector – from the types and numbers of roles women hold, to a view of what support women have or the barriers they face in joining the industry – it has been difficult to address imbalances or effectively measure any programs or initiatives aimed at doing so.

The study

RMIT University in partnership with the Australian Women in Security Network have explored these diversity challenges by surveying those in the sector. These responses in combination with ABS data from the 2006 – 2021 Census data looks to provide a rich insight into how far the sector has come, and the work still to be done.

This study aims to gain an accurate picture of the security industry workforce in Australia. The goal of this study is to identify practical ways to expand and diversify the industry’s talent pool to best equip it for the growing challenges and demands it faces.

The Report - 2023

RMIT Centre for Cyber Security Research & Innovation (CCSRI) in partnership with RMIT Centre for Organisations and Social Change (COSC) brought together a multi-disciplinary team of academics with backgrounds in cybersecurity, organisational psychology, economic, management and human resources to examine the multi-dimensional issues of this subject.

Key findings of the report include:

  • Women comprise around 17% of Australian cyber security occupations in 2021
  • Although underrepresented in the sector, the number of women in specialist ICT security roles increased fourfold from 2016 to 2021, compared to a threefold increase for males
  • Women in cyber security come from a wider spectrum of educational backgrounds than their male colleagues
  • About half of female respondents had IT qualifications, compared to two-thirds of their male counterparts
  • Only 27% of women in the sector reported having a role model or mentor of the same gender, compared to over 50% of men who reported having a male equivalent.

Preliminary findings - 2022

The Preliminary Insights Report looks historically at the data and trends of the sector and why this research is so important.

You can also glean an insight into some of the statistics of women in the security industry from the slide deck which was presented by RMIT’s Dr Leonora Risse and Dr Maria Beamond at the AISA 2022 Cyber Conference in mid-October.

This project is a partnership between:

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The AWSN’s involvement in the study has been facilitated through sponsorship support by the Australian Signals Directorate, Australia's foreign signals intelligence and security agency.

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19 November 2024

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19 November 2024

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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