Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing cybersecurity, enabling organizations to detect and respond to threats faster than ever. Yet, AI has its limitations—it lacks human judgment, ethical reasoning, and the ability to interpret complex, real-world contexts. In a field where intuition, strategic decision-making, and adaptability are critical, human expertise remains indispensable. This is where women in cybersecurity are making a profound impact.

With strengths in analytical thinking, ethical problem-solving, and collaborative leadership, they are shaping a more resilient and forward-thinking cybersecurity landscape. 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 under the theme #AccelerateAction, it is essential to recognize how AI and women together are shaping the future of cybersecurity. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), at the current rate of progress, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158—a staggering five generations from now.  

This is a wake-up call. If we want to build a secure and inclusive digital future, we must break systemic barriers and actively accelerate women’s representation in cybersecurity. 

The Role of Women in Cybersecurity: A Growing Necessity 

Despite being understated in the field, women are increasingly making strides in cybersecurity. According to (ISC)²’s Women in Cybersecurity report, women currently make up only 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce. However, the industry is beginning to recognize the value of diverse perspectives in tackling complex security threats. 

As discussed in Cyble’s webinar “Global Cyber Threats: Regional Strategies, AI Disruption, and Future Predictions”, Mel Migrino, Southeast Regional Director & Adviser, Gogolook, highlights, “Cybersecurity is a 360-degree discipline. It is not just about technical skills; it’s about managing the complexity of the stakeholders, environment, regulations, and building alliances towards a common good—these qualities are best emanated by women.”  

Women bring a multifaceted approach to cybersecurity, combining technical expertise with leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration. This ability to travel through complicated environments makes women particularly effective in cybersecurity roles such as: 

• Incident Response Managers – Making swift, emotionally intelligent decisions under pressure. 

• Risk and Compliance Officers – Understanding legal and regulatory situations with a human-centric perspective. 

• Ethical Hackers & AI Auditors – Ensuring fairness and bias mitigation in AI-driven cybersecurity tools. 

AI: A Double-Edged Sword in Cybersecurity 

AI is transforming the cybersecurity environment by automating threat detection, responding to attacks in real-time, and predicting future vulnerabilities. Yet, it also introduces new risks, such as AI-driven cyber threats, deepfake attacks, and bias in security algorithms. This is where the human element, especially women’s cognitive diversity, becomes crucial. 

As Dr. Sheeba Armoogum, Associate Professor in Cybersecurity, University of Mauritius, emphasized in the webinar, “Cyber resilience is built on cognitive diversity, equitable strategies, and inclusive collaboration. When varied perspectives converge, we transform uncertainty into strength and disruption into opportunity.” 

Moreover, in the same webinar, Jane Teh, another panelist, stressed the evolving AI battlefield: “We are seeing AI versus AI—machines attacking machines. Nations are using AI to measure cyber maturity and even shifting towards offensive AI strategies.” 

Bridging the Gender Gap in AI and Cybersecurity 

While AI is reshaping cybersecurity, it reflects the biases of its creators. A report by the AI Now Institute found that 85% of AI research staff at major tech companies are male. This gender imbalance leads to algorithmic biases that can have real-world consequences, such as AI-driven security tools failing to recognize threats that disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities. 

To counteract this, we need more women in AI development and cybersecurity leadership to: 

• Ensure AI fairness by identifying and eliminating biases in security models. 

• Develop human-centered security solutions that address diverse global threats. 

• Drive ethical AI frameworks that balance automation with human oversight. 

Breaking Barriers: Encouraging More Women in Cybersecurity 

The road to gender parity in cybersecurity and AI requires a multi-pronged approach: 

Educational Initiatives & Mentorship 

• Encouraging more girls to pursue STEM fields from an early age. 

• Expanding cybersecurity scholarships for women. 

• Establishing mentorship programs to support career growth. 

Inclusive Hiring & Leadership Representation 

• Tech companies must actively recruit and promote women in cybersecurity roles. 

• Organizations should implement unbiased AI-driven recruitment to ensure fairness. 

AI & Cybersecurity Training for Women 

• Women should be empowered with AI skills to shape the future of cybersecurity. 

• AI literacy programs should be integrated into cybersecurity curriculums. 

Corporate & Government Policies 

• Governments should implement policies that promote gender equity in tech industries. 

• Organizations must offer flexible work environments to support work-life balance. 

Women Driving AI-Powered Cybersecurity Innovations 

Many women are already leading groundbreaking AI and cybersecurity innovations, proving that gender diversity enhances security outcomes. Some notable figures include: 

• Parisa Tabriz (Google’s “Security Princess”) – Leading Google Chrome’s security engineering. 

• Dr. Fei-Fei Li (AI Expert) – Advocating for AI’s ethical development and fairness. 

• Katie Moussouris (Founder of Luta Security) – Pioneering bug bounty programs and vulnerability disclosure. 

The Future: Women + AI = A Secure Digital World 

Cybersecurity is no longer just about firewalls and algorithms—it’s about people, innovation, and the diverse minds shaping the digital world. Women, with their unique blend of analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, and strategic vision, are the missing link in AI-driven security. The question isn’t if they should lead but how fast we can accelerate their path to leadership. 

As Jane Teh noted in the Cyble webinar, “Cyber warfare is no longer about humans versus humans—it’s AI versus AI. We need ethical, diverse, and inclusive leadership to guide AI’s evolution in cybersecurity.” 

This International Women’s Day 2025, let’s move beyond conversations and take decisive action. Let’s invest in mentorship, challenge outdated biases, and ensure women are at the helm of AI-powered cybersecurity. Because the future isn’t waiting until 2158—it’s being written now. 

Are we ready to #AccelerateAction and build a secure, inclusive digital future? The time to act is today. 

You can hear the full podcast from Cyble’s webinar “Global Cyber Threats: Regional Strategies, AI Disruption, and Future Predictions” on YouTube. 

Related