Female underrepresentation in the cybersecurity workforce – a study on cybersecurity professionals in Sri Lanka
Information and Computer Security
ISSN: 2056-4961
Article publication date: 26 January 2022
Issue publication date: 27 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify factors impacting female underrepresentation among cybersecurity professionals in Sri Lanka.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on survey data from 75 female professionals working in the cybersecurity sector of Sri Lanka. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data.
Findings
Results showed that female self-efficacy on their capabilities, family, organisational culture, mentors and role model act as antecedents for women’s perceived motivation to select cybersecurity as a career option.
Originality/value
The study advances the literature on workforce gaps in the cybersecurity sector and claims that there is no single factor causing significant female underrepresentation in the cybersecurity industry. While clarifying the complexity of such factors, the study presents how such factors can systematise to attract females into the cybersecurity field.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to acknowledge Meta Defence Labs Limited – United Kingdom, International College of Business and Technology (ICBT) – Sri Lanka, University of Kelaniya – Sri Lanka for all the support and encouragement.
Citation
Withanaarachchi, A. and Vithana, N. (2022), "Female underrepresentation in the cybersecurity workforce – a study on cybersecurity professionals in Sri Lanka", Information and Computer Security, Vol. 30 No. 3, pp. 402-421. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICS-08-2021-0129
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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