Breaking bots and barriers: Accelerating gender inclusion in Cybersecurity

As someone who's spent years working in People and Culture roles, I've seen how diversity—or the lack of it—shapes an organization's ability to innovate, solve problems, and keep up with the pace of change. In cybersecurity, where threats are always evolving, diversity isn't just a nice-to-have—it's a must-have. 

As we mark International Women's Day, I find myself thinking about how far we've come in making this industry more inclusive for women, and how much further we still need to go.

Why Diverse Perspectives Matter in Cybersecurity

Kasada's recent Account Takeover Attack Trends report was a stark reminder of why this matters. Automated attacks are getting more sophisticated, targeting everything from e-commerce to financial services. The report's findings made it clear: if we want to outsmart these increasingly complex threats, we need fresh perspectives and diverse minds working on the problem.

But it's not enough to just hire diversely. The real challenge is making sure every voice is heard—especially women's. It's about more than just numbers; it's about making sure women have a real seat at the table and the power to influence decisions.

This is why I'm particularly proud of the fact that 66% of our recent hires at Kasada are women—not because we were trying to hit a diversity quota, but because they were the best fit for the roles. From a female threat
Intelligence analyst to a female technical support engineer and several female sales directors, these women bring a range of skills that are already driving innovation across our teams. In fact, our cybersecurity sales team is now 75% female, a statistic that isn't just rare in this industry—it's proof that when you hire for skill and perspective, you naturally build diverse teams.

Having a mix of backgrounds, genders, and experiences helps us spot risks that a more uniform group might miss. People who think differently challenge assumptions and push us to find better solutions. And in cybersecurity, where attackers are constantly changing their tactics, that's a huge advantage.

Empowerment Goes Beyond Hiring

Hiring more women is a good start, but it's not the end goal. As a company, we focus a lot on Personal Autonomy—basically, giving people the freedom to figure out how to do their best work without a lot of rigid rules or red tape. For women, that means having the space to lead projects, make decisions, and advance their careers without being held back by outdated assumptions or stereotypes.
We also try to root out the subtle biases that can make it harder for women to succeed—from how we evaluate performance, our recruitment processes and how we assign projects. It's about making sure women aren't just included but are actually set up to thrive.

Mentorship Makes a Difference
One of the biggest gaps I see in the industry is mentorship. For women in cybersecurity, having a mentor isn't just helpful—it can be a game changer. It's about more than just career advice; it's about building confidence and showing women that leadership is within reach.
We should make a point of highlighting the work of women and connecting them with mentors who can help them grow. Seeing other women in leadership roles is a powerful motivator—it shows that the path forward is real, not just a talking point.

Inclusion Isn't Just About Filling Seats

Too many companies treat diversity like a box to check, and that's part of the problem. For Kasada, we take a different approach. Our "Talented People" pillar in our EVP is all about recognizing that diverse teams aren't just "nice to have"—they're how we stay ahead of threats.

The insights from the Account Takeover Attack Trends report show that attackers aren't slowing down—they're getting smarter. To stay ahead, we need to tap into every skill set and perspective we have. That's why it's so important to build teams where women aren't just present but are empowered to lead, innovate, and shape the direction of the company.

Looking Forward: Turning Promises into Progress

I'm hopeful about where the industry is heading. Over the next five years, I'd like to see more companies embracing what we've seen work at Kasada—things like flexible roles, real mentorship opportunities, gender neutral parental leave, and making sure diverse perspectives actually influence decisions. If the industry can follow through on its promises, we'll end up not just with more diverse teams but with stronger defenses against the increasingly complex threats we're facing.

Breaking Bots and Barriers, Together

As we celebrate International Women's Day, I'm proud of the progress we've made at Kasada and excited for what's to come. The road to true inclusivity in cybersecurity is still long, but if we keep challenging assumptions, removing barriers, and amplifying diverse voices, I'm confident we'll get there.
At the end of the day, making cybersecurity more inclusive isn't just about doing the right thing—it's about continuously becoming better at what we do. And that's something worth fighting for.