This is part of a running series for #IWD2021. We sat down with women leaders across the industry for a Q&A to get their insights on the state of women in cybersecurity. Recognize Women Leaders in the 2021 Tech Ascension Awards.
Dangvy Keller, Vice President of Americas Alliance and Distribution Sales at Veeam:
How has the women workforce in cybersecurity evolved over recent years? Where is it heading?
While overall I have had a positive experience throughout my two decades in IT, I do see this industry falling short when it comes to equity and equality in the workplace. The truth is, tech is very much still a male-dominated industry. The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) found that only about 25 percent of computing jobs are held by women. Yet despite this, I find that tech is a dynamic and growing industry that provides ample opportunities for women – even if we have to work a little harder to find them. I’m encouraged by seeing that most of the top tech companies have awareness of underrepresentation of women in this field, and we’re seeing progress to try and narrow the gap.
What advice would you give to young women looking to enter into cybersecurity?
We need more women in tech; it’s a growing and exciting industry! I encourage young women exploring careers in tech or IT to seek out strong mentors that can help them navigate the industry as it continues to expand and evolve.
How can we get more women involved in cybersecurity?
As a female leader in tech, I’ve developed a true passion to pave the way for young talent as they look to rise through the ranks. It’s important to take time to coach, mentor and champion the women in our field, whether they are your direct colleagues or elsewhere in the industry. I try to participate in initiatives that foster workplace equality and diversity, while ensuring that I lead by example within my own organization.
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