Bridging gender gap in cybersecurity requires a multi-pronged approach: Avalara’s Deepti Gaiki

Despite Indian enterprises striving to improve their cybersecurity posture, a significant gender gap persists in the technology industry, including in cyberspace. In an interview with TechCircle ahead of International Women’s Day, Deepti Gaiki, Director of Information Security at Avalara India, a technology-driven tax management firm, believes diverse teams enhance security and encourage companies to foster open dialogue on this issue. She also emphasised that a multi-faceted strategy, not just technology, is crucial for preventing successful cyber-attacks. Edited excerpts:

Where do you think India stands now in terms of cybersecurity preparedness in the global scheme of things?

India has significantly strengthened its cybersecurity, achieving tier 1 status in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024. Projections estimate a $12.9 billion cybersecurity market by 2030, fueled by investments in SOCs, AI-driven threat intelligence, and cloud security, supported by GCCs. Despite this progress, India faces increasing cybersecurity attacks like ransomware, phishing, and nation-state attacks targeting critical infrastructure. Vulnerable SMEs, lacking robust cybersecurity frameworks, require urgent attention through heightened awareness, protective investments, and stronger regulation.

Cybersecurity was once considered a male-dominated field. Has anything changed in the last 3-4 years?

The cybersecurity field has seen a positive shift in gender diversity. Globally, women held 25% of cybersecurity jobs in 2022, up from 20% in 2019, with a projected 30% by 2025. Notably, 26% of cybersecurity professionals under 30 are women, a promising indicator. India’s cybersecurity landscape has actively addressed the gender gap through initiatives like CyberShikshaa. Despite the soaring demand for skilled cybersecurity workers, women's participation remains low. Continued efforts are crucial to achieving a more balanced representation.

Skills shortage is a big problem in cyber-security, how can companies address this skills gap?

Addressing the cybersecurity skills shortage requires a multi-faceted strategy: upskilling, industry collaboration, inclusive hiring, and automation. Continuous training ensures shared responsibility. University partnerships, internships, and apprenticeships develop job-ready talent. Companies should diversify talent acquisition, drawing from adjacent fields like IT and network engineering, while providing cybersecurity training. Promoting diversity and inclusivity expands the talent pool, recognising roles beyond technical expertise in areas like policy, risk analysis, and compliance. Automation and AI can further alleviate workforce pressure, allowing teams to focus on complex threats.

As a woman tech leader, what according to you are some of the biggest challenges women techies, especially in senior positions, are facing today?

Women in senior tech roles still face unconscious biases affecting their representation in decision-making. They often need to repeatedly prove their expertise, and their leadership traits are judged differently. Stereotyping can question their technical competence. Work-life balance remains a challenge due to demanding roles and persistent expectations regarding family responsibilities. Limited access to male-dominated networking groups hinders mentorship and collaboration opportunities. The lack of visible women role models can impede career advancement. Addressing these issues necessitates inclusive leadership, structured mentorship, and bias-free evaluation, recognising diversity as a driver of innovation.

So, how do you bring more women into the cybersecurity space?

Bridging the gender gap in cybersecurity requires a multi-pronged approach. Initiatives like CyberShikshaa, WiCys India, and STEM programs provide essential skills. Industry-academia collaboration should integrate cybersecurity into mainstream engineering and IT curricula. Scholarships, reskilling programs, and internships can attract mid-career professionals from related fields. Bias-free hiring policies, leadership pathways, and flexible, inclusive cultures are essential. Increased visibility for women leaders and active mentorship will inspire future generations.

How important is India as a market for Avalara and what are your areas of focus in the coming months?

India is a vital growth market for Avalara, driven by expanding cross-border trade and digitalisation. Businesses seek tax compliance solutions amid evolving tax regulations. India's MSME sector, e-commerce boom, digital services, and global trade make it a priority region for Avalara. Our immediate focus includes strengthening its local presence, advancing product innovation, and deepening partnerships with regional stakeholders to streamline compliance and scale tax automation.