Influential women in cybersecurity were recognized

50 Latin American and United States women were recognized by LATAM Women in Cybersecurity (WOMCY) and Women in Security & Resilience Alliance (WISECRA) in the 'Top Women in Cybersecurity – Latin America 2020'.

The organizations WOMCY and WISECRA launched the first edition of 'Top Women in Cybersecurity' in Latin America, to recognize the most influential women in the sector on the continent.

More than 150 women participated from different areas of Cybersecurity in Latin America and a panel of ten renowned executives analyzed the candidates following an exhaustive evaluation criterion to determine the social and professional scope of their contributions in the sector to recognize 50 women from the entire continent.

This listing recognized leaders who have currently made significant contributions to the industry and pave the way for future generations of professionals. The work of all participants was evaluated from sales and marketing to engineering and technical development in the Cybersecurity industry.

Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, the United States and Venezuela have among them the most outstanding and influential experts.

Leticia Gammill, President of WOMCY affirms that “promoting diversity in Cybersecurity is a priority for many organizations and, without a doubt, it is the most important thing for WOMCY. We need to democratize Cybersecurity and recognize the industry leaders who are making a difference in Latin America ”, she highlighted.

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WOMCY is a non-profit Association, founded in 2019, by six women, leaders in South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Miami (USA), with experience in Cybersecurity in the Latin American market. Hand in hand with the WOMCY volunteer, the experts help Cybersecurity professionals in the LATAM region, through awareness and sensitization to society with strategic orientation of the organizations.

Women and cybersecurity

According to Nir Kshetri, a professor at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, women in the world of Cybersecurity are necessary because they offer a different perspective that helps in addressing cyber risks.

The increase in cyber attacks has led to the Cybersecurity industry being one of the fastest growing sectors in the digital field. This industry is facing an employment crisis, where according to recent estimates released by Deloitte, by 2022 there could be a global deficit of 1.8 million cybersecurity professionals, according to DPL news.

The International Consortium (ISC) ²'s Women in Cybersecurity report reveals that men outnumber women in cybersecurity within a three to one radius. In the 2017 edition of this study, an occupation of women was reported in 11 percent of the workforce in this industry; by 2019, they occupied 24 percent. Although it was a significant growth, the gap is still present, the study states.