Madrid, 27 February 2025: Duke University and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) have announced the launch of a global research project to advance knowledge on women’s participation in the cybersecurity workforce. The findings of the research will support the development of evidence-based strategies for global decision-makers to address the worldwide shortage of 2.8 million professionals in the cybersecurity sector, in which women are significantly underrepresented. The announcement was made during the Digital Summit LATAM, which took place on February 26-27 at Círculo de Bellas Artes, Madrid, Spain.

The research, led by the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, builds on GCF’s previous global study in 2022, which surveyed women in STEM in 26 countries to gather insights on opportunities to enhance women’s participation in the cybersecurity workforce. This latest study expands data collection amongst a wide sample of women across public and private sectors in Latin America – including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, and Paraguay – surveying both women working in cybersecurity and those not currently working in the field. In doing so, the study aims to deepen global understanding of the obstacles to bridging the cybersecurity workforce gap and offer actionable insights to aid in making cybersecurity a viable career focus for women.

Underscoring its urgency, GCF’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report recently revealed that there is a global talent shortage of 2.8 million cybersecurity professionals, whilst women only represent 24% of the workforce.

“We believe that our research will not only help address the global talent shortage in cybersecurity but also foster innovation and cyber resilience. Through our partnership, we are leveraging our combined expertise to advance gender diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity through evidence-based strategies that encourage women to pursue careers in this far-reaching field,” said David Hoffman, Steed Family Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University.

Importantly, the research collaboration will advance knowledge critical to the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC) initiative, instated by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Overseen by GCF, WEC seeks to strengthen the safety and resilience of Cyberspace by empowering more women to work in the sector.

“We are pleased to partner with Duke University on this important project that will underpin efforts to empower women in cybersecurity worldwide. By expanding the scope of our previous research to incorporate diverse regional perspectives, we aim to develop insights that can help global decision making and lead to actionable strategies to empower more women to pursue careers in this field and ultimately strengthen global cyber resilience by addressing the significant workforce gap,” said Alaa M. Alfaadhel, Programs and Initiatives Head at GCF.

About Duke University

Duke University is a private academic institution located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Duke offers a wide variety of academic programs and is committed to cutting-edge research that addresses the world’s most pressing problems. 

About GCF

The Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) is a global, non-profit organization that seeks to strengthen global cyber resilience by advancing international collaboration, purposeful dialogue, and impactful initiatives. It serves as a platform where the world’s cybersecurity stakeholders exchange knowledge and collaborate in tackling critical issues regarding Cyberspace. By uniting decision makers and thought leaders from around the world, GCF aligns with international efforts to build a more secure Cyberspace that enables prosperity for all nations and communities.