Held Back: What Exclusion Looks Like in Cybersecurity

This article examines systemic exclusion and microaggressions experienced by women and intersectional identities within the cybersecurity profession, using first‑hand accounts from industry leaders. It highlights pressures to be both highly technical and business-savvy, examples of subtle discrimination, and the career impacts of exclusion, and recommends practical steps—documenting incidents, clear promotion and pay paths, mentorship, and managerial accountability—to improve inclusion and retention.