Whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer to the field of cybersecurity, groups that support diversity in cybersecurity can provide you with more than just guidance and mentorship. They also help you connect with people who share similar interests.
It’s important for cybersecurity professionals to join cybersecurity member organizations that support diversity because these groups provide a platform for fostering inclusivity, innovation, and collaboration.
By becoming members of such organizations, professionals can connect with a community that consists of individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. This diversity enables them to gain a variety of perspectives, which can help them better understand cybersecurity issues at their own companies and develop more efficient cybersecurity strategies.
Additionally, these organizations typically offer networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and resources that can help cybersecurity professionals grow in their careers. By actively participating in groups that support diversity, cybersecurity professionals help to create a more inclusive and equitable industry as well as enhance their own professional development.
Here are five groups that support diversity in cybersecurity:
Blacks in Cybersecurity
Blacks In Cybersecurity (BIC) is a meetup group and conference series that wants to “help highlight and elevate the Black community in cybersecurity.”
Michaela Barnett founded BIC in mid-2018 as an event series and meetup group. Since then, it has expanded into several events held year-round and multiple meetup groups worldwide. The mission of BIC is to encourage members of the Black community to participate in cybersecurity as well as emphasize its influence and participation in the cybersecurity and STEM fields.
BIC hosts conferences and community meetups to encourage those in the cybersecurity field to network, share their knowledge, and collaborate.
Blacks in Cybersecurity aims to address the lack of diversity in cybersecurity by giving Black individuals the resources, knowledge, and opportunities they need to get involved in the field. Whether individuals are experienced practitioners or aspiring cybersecurity professionals, BIC provides a supportive space to learn, grow, and help build the Black community in cybersecurity.
BIC also offers free and low-cost training programs.
Cyversity
Cyversity was founded in 2014 in response to the fact that women and people of color were not readily recognized as participants in the cybersecurity industry, says Sherron Burgess, chair of the group’s board of directors.
“The organization was started with the proposition that it would be chiefly engaged in bringing more women and people of color to the industry and recognizing the contributions of those already seen as practitioners,” she says. “Since its inception, the organization has evolved to include women, underserved communities, and all veterans in an effort to support the most inclusive audience possible.”
Currently, Cyversity has 11 active and growing chapters in the United States, but the organization has members from all over the world.
“Our current member strength is just under 1000 active members,” Burgess says. “Cybersecurity is a global challenge and the need to bring more diverse practitioners to the industry is relevant in all the places where cyber skills are in high demand.”
Burgess says that members have Immediate access to:
- Cybersecurity training that supports the development of skills across the entire cyber career lifecycle.
- Mentoring programs that support the guidance, development, and soft skills training where industry leaders serve as contributors to the members.
- Scholarship opportunities supporting educational opportunities
- In-person and virtual events supporting member development and education.
- Networking opportunities relative to the industry.
Annual dues: Professionals $100; students, $20.
Diversity Cyber Council
The nonprofit Diversity Cyber Council focuses on serving underrepresented groups within the tech industry. The organization’s mission revolves around facilitating training, education, and staffing opportunities to create a sustainable and inclusive talent pool for the cybersecurity workforce.
The council aims to foster inclusion and representation within the tech industry through training, mentoring, networking, and visibility programs. The organization’s mission is to educate, train, and provide staffing opportunities for residents of underserved communities so they can enter the cybersecurity and technology workforce.
The organization offers programs to prepare individuals for cybersecurity careers. These programs include:
- The Cybersecurity Pre-Apprenticeship is a nine-week program that combines self-study with training led by an instructor. As part of the program, candidates receive content and materials to help them grasp the fundamentals of cybersecurity and prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification. This program aims to equip aspiring cybersecurity professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the industry.
- The Cybersecurity Workforce Development Apprenticeship Program provides diverse candidates with both classroom and on-the-job training, preparing them for careers in cybersecurity.
- The Cybersecurity High School Summer Youth Apprenticeship Program is an eight-week program that combines classroom learning with practical training, equipping high school students with entry-level technology skills for their future careers.
- The CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ 30-Day Challenge is a self-study program designed to help candidates learn the fundamentals of information technology and prepare for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification.
Programs are free or offered at a low cost. The Diversity Cyber Council accepts donations from individuals and organizations.
International Organization of Black Security Executives
The International Organization of Black Security Executives (IOBSE) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1982 by six black men attending the American Society for Industrial Security conference in New Orleans.
IOBSE’s mission is to develop future industry leaders among minority security professionals by providing networking opportunities, professional resources, and educational programs. IOBSE offers professional and student memberships, hosts an annual conference, and fosters growth, mentorship, and collaboration within the security field.
The organization aims to integrate security management into business operations by offering professional resources, providing education and training to practitioners and students, and encouraging professional networking. Through these efforts, IOBSE promotes the exchange of ideas, knowledge, information, and experience in security operations and technology.
Members have the opportunity to develop mentorships and sponsorship relationships with professional security experts as well as network with public and private security leaders. Members also receive information to enable them to stay up to date with the latest trends in security.
Membership fee: Professionals, $100; students, $25.
Secure Diversity
Secure Diversity was founded in 2015 by Deirdre Diamond, who is also the founder and CEO of CyberSN, a company that specializes in cybersecurity staffing and career development. She is also a Cyversity board member.
Secure Diversity is an organization dedicated to promoting gender diversity, equity, and inclusion within the cybersecurity field. The group’s goal centers around ensuring equitable representation of all genders in the cybersecurity workforce.
To accomplish this, Secure Diversity collaborates with various organizations and businesses to boost recruitment and retention efforts for women and underrepresented genders. Secure Diversity also uses social media platforms and marketing to raise awareness about the role of women in cybersecurity.
One of the organization’s major initiatives is the Leadership Academy, developed in partnership with the SANS Institute, that aims increase gender diversity in cybersecurity leadership. The Leadership Academy is free.
And Secure Diversity and the Lookout Foundation present Day of Shecurity events, a conference series advocating for gender diversity in cybersecurity.
Secure Diversity accepts donations and offers sponsorship packages.
The importance of joining groups that promote diversity in cybersecurity
Joining member organizations that promote diversity in cybersecurity will offer you the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, mentors, and role models. By being part of these organizations, you’ll be able to contribute to advocacy efforts for underrepresented groups and advocate for equal opportunities.
In addition, promoting diversity strengthens the cybersecurity workforce and shapes a more inclusive future for the field.