Cyber Defense eMagazine December 2019

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people creates a more holistic view of the problem and delivers a range of valuable problem-solving skills.
In that way, diversity truly improves the overall outcomes of the team.
Yet, among the security analysts surveyed in the United States, UK, Canada, India, Australia, and the
Netherlands, 91 percent of respondents of the survey were male – up from 90 percent in 2018 –
representing the gender disparity in cybersecurity.
A wide racial disparity continues, with African-Americans represented by less than three percent of
respondents to the survey. Of the total number of respondents, the majority, or 65 percent, identified as
Caucasian. People of Latino/Hispanic descent made up just 13 percent of respondents. Even fewer (9
percent) were Asian followed by people of Middle-Eastern descent (4 percent).
The lack of diversity among the representation in this survey is a microcosm of the wider problem plaguing
the cybersecurity industry.
Industry struggles with achieving and maintaining a work-life balance
Stress and work-life balance are important aspects of any profession, and survey participants reported
that both factors significantly affected their work—indicating struggles with both burnout and fatigue.
These unfortunate realities of the role are being exacerbated by a skills shortage and an unrelenting
barrage of advanced cyberthreats. Sixty-two percent of professionals in the sector cited their jobs are
stressful or very stressful, and 44 percent don’t feel they are achieving a work-life balance. Further, while
a minority of respondents (40 percent) were actively looking for a new job, more than half (51 percent)
said their reasons for doing so were poor compensation and unsupportive senior leadership.
Despite this, 78 percent stated that they would recommend a career in cybersecurity, with 58 percent of
participants stating that the challenge in the workplace was the most important aspect of their job.
One obvious strength of the security space is that there are plentiful opportunities to take risks and
innovate. However, if employees are stressed, don’t feel supported by executive leadership, or don’t
enjoy balance in their lives, it’s difficult to achieve their full potential. Therefore, companies must focus
on inclusion and building productive environments where teams can deliver exceptional work.