Beyond Technical Mastery: Why Soft Skills Matter for Women in Cybersecurity

Description

Despite growing awareness and targeted initiatives, women remain vastly underrepresented in the cybersecurity workforce. While numerous reports have pointed to the gender gap and skills shortages, the conversation often defaults to technical training and pipeline solutions. However, emerging research suggests the issue is deeper and the solutions more nuanced.

A 2025 study by Benson, Di Chiacchio, and Frączek, published in the Journal of Computer Information Systems, brings new clarity to this issue by exploring the career journeys of successful European women in cybersecurity. The findings reveal something both intuitive and under-acknowledged: soft skills not just technical prowess are critical for success, especially for women navigating a male-dominated field.