Cybersecurity’s Gender Shift: Women Leading the Way
Cybersecurity has long been a male-dominated industry. However, as cyber threats grow and demand for skilled professionals rises, more women are entering and reshaping the field. According to projections by Cybersecurity Ventures, women are expected to represent 30 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce by 2025 and 35 percent by 2031.
This shift marks more than just a numbers game. Women in cybersecurity are not only helping close the workforce gap but are also driving innovation, setting standards, and mentoring future leaders in the field.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, here’s a look at top women in cybersecurity making a major impact. These leaders—ranging from founders and CEOs to speakers and mentors—exemplify what it means to push boundaries in the digital security world.
Trailblazing Top Women in Cybersecurity You Should Follow
Lisa Ventura MBE – Building a United Front Against Cyber Threats
Lisa Ventura MBE is an award-winning cybersecurity specialist, writer, and speaker. She founded Cyber Security Unity, a global community organization dedicated to uniting cybersecurity professionals to combat growing digital threats.
Lisa specializes in market positioning, brand awareness, and helping cybersecurity firms establish thought leadership. Recognized with accolades such as the “Most Inspiring Women in Cybersecurity Award 2024,” she continues to shape the future of the industry.
Michelle Drolet – Strengthening Cybersecurity Through Leadership
Michelle Drolet is the CEO and founder of Towerwall and a prominent voice in cybersecurity strategy. Known for her expertise in network security and risk management, Michelle emphasizes teamwork and strong organizational culture as pillars of effective cybersecurity.
She’s been recognized on Forbes’ “50 Over 50: Innovation” list and by CIO Views as one of the “10 Most Innovative CEOs of the Year.” Michelle also serves on multiple advisory boards and is committed to mentoring future cybersecurity professionals.
Jane Frankland MBE – Championing Women in Cybersecurity
With over 20 years in the cybersecurity industry, Jane Frankland has contributed to leading initiatives like OWASP, CREST, and Cyber Essentials.
Jane is a passionate advocate for diversity and STEAM fields. Through her work in training, coaching, and consulting, she inspires women to pursue careers in cybersecurity and speaks globally on entrepreneurship and digital inclusion.
Gal Helemski – Innovating Access Management
Gal Helemski is the co-founder and CTO/CPO of PlainID, where she leads product development and strategy. With over two decades of experience in identity and access management, Gal has pioneered simplified yet secure authorization models.
She’s known for transforming complex cybersecurity challenges into user-friendly, business-oriented solutions—balancing innovation with robust security standards.
Shira Rubinoff – Bridging Cybersecurity and Human Behavior
Shira Rubinoff is a cybersecurity and AI executive, speaker, and the CEO of The Cybersphere Group. She also serves on multiple boards, including The Executive Women’s Forum.
Renowned for her insights on the human factors in cybersecurity, Shira has been honored by CSO Magazine as a “Woman of Influence” and has received the “Outstanding Woman in Infosec” award.
Naomi Buckwalter – Closing the Cybersecurity Talent Gap
Naomi Buckwalter is the Director of Product Security at Contrast Security and founder of the Cybersecurity Gatebreakers Foundation, a nonprofit tackling the cybersecurity talent shortage.
With 20+ years in IT and security, Naomi is also a LinkedIn Learning instructor and author of a course focused on training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Her work continues to empower aspiring professionals and advocate for a more inclusive tech industry.
In Brief
These exceptional women are not just breaking barriers—they’re redefining the cybersecurity landscape through innovation, mentorship, and advocacy. Their contributions underscore the value of diverse perspectives in solving the complex challenges of the digital world.
As organizations strive for greater inclusivity, following and learning from these leaders can spark inspiration and pave the way for the cybersecurity experts of tomorrow.