Women and people of color are less likely to serve in leadership positions in cybersecurity companies, and there are stark cybersecurity salary discrepancies across race and gender. Yet the government and private sector laments a cybersecurity talent gap, as thousands of cybersecurity positions remain unfilled due to a supposed lack of qualified workers. We must do better. Building a more diverse cybersecurity industry is not only critical to creating a more inclusive America. It will also strengthen our nation’s security by bringing in new perspectives to solve thorny information security challenges and shoring up our workforce.

The national reckoning on racial justice that began in mid-2020, prompted by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans at the hands of police, has further clarified that current DEI efforts, however well-meaning, have not addressed the overwhelming white-ness and male-ness of the cybersecurity field. With support from the Hewlett Foundation and in consultation with cybersecurity expert Camille Stewart, Aspen Digital and the Aspen Tech Policy Hub have made recommendations for diversifying the cybersecurity industry across two categories: immediate actions and those that require further investment.

In December 2020, cybersecurity experts began to unravel SolarStorm, an unprecedented security breach affecting potentially thousands of organizations. As the White House and Congress debate the appropriate response, the Aspen Cybersecurity Group has collected sixteen leading experts to offer concise assessments on a productive path forward for policymakers.

JUNE 24, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the cybersecurity risks for everyone, including large companies, small businesses and individuals. What steps can individuals take to help protect our digital realities?

Dorfman will report on the latest at the intersection of cybersecurity, national security, and technology.