Decrypting diversity: Diversity and inclusion in cyber security report 2021
A more diverse and inclusive team is a more innovative team. The cyber security industry is a significant employer in its own right and the diversity and inclusion of its workplaces affect many thousands of people. What’s more, with ever-growing demand for cyber security experts and well-publicised skills shortages, attracting a wider range of talent into the industry has become critically important.
We hope the findings from this, our second comprehensive study of diversity and inclusion in the industry, will help employers consider what progress they are making, challenge themselves where necessary to do more, and motivate them to continue in their efforts.
The second year
We have conducted a second year of research amongst UK cyber security professionals, with 945 people from across the industry choosing to take part and fill in our online survey. Our inaugural research last year set the baseline. This year, we had the opportunity to benchmark against the 2020 findings to gauge what progress is being made.
We did so recognising that, in diversity and inclusion terms, one year is not a long time – hence our commitment to continuing this study over the long term to see greater change. We did not, therefore, have expectations of radical shifts in findings. Nevertheless, we were keen to see whether there is evidence of specific areas of progress, or specific areas of concern. We have not provided comparisons between the years for every single finding – but have focused on those areas where there have been the most interesting or significant movements.
It is important to recognise also that the entirety of this year’s research was conducted during the pandemic. Cyber organisations – and indeed all organisations – have had a tumultuous year simply dealing with the unprecedented challenges of operating through a time of great uncertainty, anxiety and changed ways of working.
