IGF 2024 Open Forum #23 Making the cybersecurity an attractive work field for women

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 90
    Format description: This open forum roundtable discussion is the kick off of a project with a clear goal: to make cybersecurity a more attractive work field for women. In this session the organisers will: a) get a better understanding of why women are underrepresented in cybersecurity; b) receive input on first actions towards making the cybersecurity work field more attractive and inclusive to work in; c) learn about best practices from experts in the work field to build upon. 90 Minutes allows for an in-depth exchange of insights, experience and input for further research into the topic and to attract volunteers to the project. A roundtable allows all stakeholders, women in cyber communities, industry, technical community, education and governments, to share their views in an open and equal way. They will be actively invited and can prepare their contributions based on the questions phrased below.

    Description

    Women are underrepresented in digital and especially cybersecurity. For the industry to become more inclusive and to profit from the different perspectives women bring to the work place and challenges in cybersecurity, including digital governance, this needs to change. NASK, the Polish National Research Institute plan to lead a European project with global impact and input with the clear aim to improve the participation of women in digital. You’re input is sought in this roundtable discussion. After two introductions by Maciej Gron on the project as a whole (10 minutes) and Janice Richardson on the planned research and methodology (10 minutes), a full hour (1 hour) will be used for discussion and the answering of questions asked by the moderator. To receive the answers the project needs, representatives from all stakeholder communities are invited to join this open forum. The discussion will focus on a set of questions that all participants will be made aware of in advance. Questions will focus on: 1) What is the current experience and conducted research? 2) What needs to change/improve to make cybersecurity a more attractive work field for women? 3) What is the role of industry and of education? 4) How best to attract women and from what age should awareness campaigns start? 5) What are current best practices? The topic relates to several sub themes of the 2024 IGF. Bringing more women into the cybersecurity work field leads to more inclusion of women in the digital workspace. Women bring different perspectives on both how risks are balanced and the improvement of digital governance, as women often have a very different view on these topics. DC-IS3C’s research of 2022 shows that the industry is aware of the disbalance and that this needs to become better balanced. With women enter the work field better balanced decision making comes within reach as well. Finally, a wrap will take place led by the rapporteur (10 minutes).

    The onsite and online moderator will operate on an equal footing. As we intend to invite organisations and individuals who are not regular participants of the IGF, the hybrid format is very important to reach the goals this session has. Both online interventions and the chat will be extensively used. Both moderators will prepare the sessions together, allowing for integration of both set of participants. Should we use any online tools, e.g. to score questions, we will let you know in advance.

    Organizers

    NASK - National Research Institute
    Wout de Natris (moderator), DC-IS3C coordinator, Western Europe and others Mark Carvell (online moderator), DC-IS3C senior policy advisor, Western Europe and others Anna Rywczynska (rapporteur), NASK, Eastern Europe Maciej Gron (speaker), NASK, Eastern Europe Janice Richardson (speaker), InSight, Pacific

    Speakers

    The session is an open roundtable aimed to gather input. There are two introductory speakers and one rapporteur wrapping up the open forum. - Maciej Gron (speaker), NASK, Eastern Europe (confirmed) - Janice Richardson (speaker), InSight, Pacific (confirmed) - Anna Rywczynska (rapporteur), NASK, Eastern Europe (confirmed)

    Onsite Moderator

    Wout de Natris

    Online Moderator

    Mark Carvell

    Rapporteur

    Anna Rywczynska

    SDGs

    4. Quality Education
    5. Gender Equality
    8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
    10. Reduced Inequalities
    12. Responsible Production and Consumption

    Targets: Women in cyber(security) are underrepresented around the whole world. Research shows that this challenge is not that much different. Drawing more women into cybersecurity training and education leads not only to more education in general, but also a higher quality of the education enjoyed. This will result in gender equality and reduced inequalities in ICT development and manufacturing. Women’s perspectives over time will lead to a more secure and safer production of ICTs. The expectation is that they will approach developing and manufacturing with responsibility to end users and the planet in mind. For consumers this adds not only to a safer use of ICTs but also more sustainable ICTs.