The increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals in the tech sector has created a talent shortage unlike ever before. While initiatives such as hiring inclusiveness, broader outreach, and apprenticeship programs have been implemented to bring additional talent to the field, it has remained largely homogeneous. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Women's Colleges (HWCs) can play a significant role in addressing this lack of employee talent while ramping up diversity in the technology field. By implementing educational and training programs specific to cybersecurity, these institutions can help enable those that were historically underrepresented into the field. Tailoring curricula to fit local industries, and offering career counseling and job placement services, can help put an eager and diverse talent pool to work in the field of cybersecurity. HBCUs and HWCs can also work in tandem to provide internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships to help increase the field's talent. This chapter explores the viability of these universities.
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According to Mountrouidou et al. (2019), there has recently been an overwhelming increase in the global demand for cybersecurity specialists. The job growth rate in the United States is currently at 28%, three times the national average. At the same time, the field of cybersecurity is expanding, not only in terms of technical concepts but also in terms of policy, international law, commercial strategy, and human factors engineering (Mountrouidou et al., 2019). The industry, on the other hand, has not become more culturally diverse. According to Mountrouidou et al.'s 2019 research, the percentages of workers hired in 2018 included 24.9% women, 12.3% African Americans, and 6.8% Latino-Americans hired as professionals in 2018.
Diversity in technology (Tech) and cybersecurity is vital for firms that wish to be relevant to their clients and competitive in the talent market (Burrell, 2020). An inclusive working environment gives a wider variety of workers a chance to advance their careers and realize their full potential (Burrell, 2020). This is crucial to establishing more resilient communities and a more egalitarian world.
Businesses are aware of the significance of diversity (Horváth et al., 2019). Businesses are collectively shelling out billions of dollars for diversity and inclusion initiatives, yet significant change has been slow to happen and make lasting change (Horváth et al., 2019). Bringing new points of view to a typically monolithic and frequently exclusive industry is the primary goal of diversity initiatives in technology and cybersecurity (Burrell, 2019). Nowadays, there is a need for more representation of women and people of color (Burrell et al., 2023).
When a company has employees from various backgrounds, they have a higher chance of understanding its clientele (Ferreras-Perez et al., 2023; Burrell, 2021; Burrell, 2020; Burrell et al., 2023). Customers in today's market have increasing expectations of businesses to provide goods and services that cater to their unique and varied requirements and inclinations (Burrell et al., 2023). On the other hand, employees have higher expectations for workplaces that are inclusive of their needs and recognize the different viewpoints, talents, and experiences that employees bring to the table (Ferreras-Perez et al., 2023; Burrell, 2021; Burrell, 2020).
There is no denying that men predominate in the technology and cybersecurity sectors (Burrell, 2019). Data on diversity in the technology field demonstrate that women continue to be underpaid and underrepresented year after year (Burrell, 2019; Burrell, 2020). Even more dire circumstances exist for women of color (Burrell, 2020). In addition, women are continually underrepresented in leadership positions, gradually decreasing their happiness and contentment in their jobs (Burrell, 2019; Burrell, 2020). Because of this “broken rung” effect, it is exceptionally challenging for women to achieve success in (Burrell, 2019). The lack of racial diversity in tech and cybersecurity is another significant problem (Burrell et al., 2023; Burrell, 2020; Burrell, 2021; Mountrouidou et al., 2019).