Using mentorship to diversify the cyber talent pipeline
By Ann Johnson for Women Entrepreneur
If left as is, the world's shortage of qualified cybersecurity workers will grow to 3.5 million in 2021. That's a problem because we live in a heterogeneous, complicated world where digital issues affect our physical realities. A bank server breach could create missed payments for account holders, and as we integrate smart medical devices and IoT home security into our lives, our well-being is increasingly dependent on cybersecurity.
To counter the growing threats, the current cybersecurity talent pipeline needs to expand -- urgently. Mentorship that creates access to STEM opportunities for people living beyond tech hot spots can help reverse the atrophy. Along the way, including people of diverse backgrounds into the cyber ranks brings new points of view to further addressing societal issues.
As someone who has spent 20 years in cybersecurity leadership roles, I'm often asked for mentorship guidance. My approach is similar for mentees and mentors. Start as early as you can, don't let your degree dictate your career path, network extensively tapping physical and digital resources, create the right relationship structure and have "courageous conversations."
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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