Empowering Diversity in Cybersecurity through Strategic Partnership: INE and Black Girls in Cyber
Women, particularly women of color, face significant challenges in the cybersecurity and tech industries. These challenges include a lack of representation, inadequate mentorship, and cultural perceptions that limit exposure to tech-related careers. Black women represent only 3% of all women in tech. To address these systemic barriers, INE partnered with Black Girls in Cyber (BGiC), a nonprofit organization founded in 2020, to empower women of color in cybersecurity and share their platform (a combined audience of over 150K subscribers). This case study examines the partnership's objectives, strategies, and outcomes, highlighting key individuals' contributions and the broader implications for diversity and inclusion in the tech space.
Objectives
Raise awareness about the underrepresentation of women of color in cybersecurity.
Provide mentorship, sponsorship, and career development opportunities for women of color.
Foster a cultural shift in the tech industry by promoting diversity and inclusivity.
Amplify BGiC’s mission by giving them a platform to reach other women of color interested in tech during Women’s History Month.
Challenges
Limited Representation: Women of color are often the only individuals of their color in the room, despite their qualifications.
Systemic Barriers: Gender and racial discrimination contribute to unequal access to mentorship, sponsorship, and career advancement opportunities.
Cultural Conditioning: Societal norms often direct women towards traditional service roles, limiting their exposure to STEM opportunities.
Lack of Awareness: Many women of color are unaware of the lucrative opportunities available in cybersecurity, further perpetuating the diversity gap.
Strategies & Actions
Hosting Awareness Events: On March 8, to celebrate Women’s History Month, I hosted an INE Live session with Talya Parker (founder of BGiC), Akilah Tunsil, and moderator Kathryn Brown. We discussed the unique challenges faced by women of color in tech, such as systemic biases and lack of mentorship. Our panelists shared their insights, and we identified practical strategies to promote a more inclusive work environment and inspire change in the tech industry.
Creating a Safe Space for Advocacy: BGiC emphasized the importance of creating environments where women of color can advocate for themselves. Talya highlighted how her journey as a mother inspired her to speak up and work toward a better future for her daughter. The partnership with INE created a platform for the nonprofit to share its mission and goals with a global audience and add to the resources that are available to them.
Financial Support: INE committed to donating a portion of its March sales in celebration of Women’s History Month to support BGiC’s initiatives. I created social media content to engage our audience and raise awareness. Additionally, I crafted messages for BGiC to share with their audience to promote sales and encourage participation.
Results and Impact
Increased Awareness: The INE Live session helped bring visibility to the challenges women of color face in tech and amplified BGiC’s mission to promote inclusivity.
Cultural Shift: BGiC’s grassroots approach to changing cultural perceptions inspires more women to consider careers in cybersecurity and technology.
Empowerment Through Advocacy: By sharing their lived experiences, leaders like Talya and Akilah have empowered women of color to advocate for themselves and pursue leadership roles.
Financial Support for Growth: INE’s financial contribution during Women’s History Month provided BGiC with resources to expand its programs and outreach.
Key Lessons Learned
Representation Matters: Diversity in tech teams is crucial for solving complex problems and driving innovation. As Akilah noted, “It’s a win-win for everybody.”
Advocacy Requires Courage: Women of color must often advocate for themselves in challenging environments. Creating safe spaces for this advocacy is critical.
Inclusivity Goes Beyond Quotas: Diversity initiatives should address systemic barriers and foster genuine inclusivity rather than merely meeting numerical targets.
Grassroots Change is Essential: Cultural transformation begins by addressing biases early in education and career planning.
“Tech is definitely a male-dominated workspace, and that's not what our world or our country looks like anymore. So organizations like Black Girls in Cyber are very important to be able to bring more people into [the world of tech. You're not just going to have one type of person who knows how to work in tech. There are people with all types of mindsets, with all types of demographics, that have the ability to work in tech, and that's part of what INE does. We want to make sure that everyone that has a passion for [technology] can enter into it no matter what they look like or who they are.”
— Chrystal G. Sills, Former Consumer Communications Specialist, INE