Diversity in Security Awareness Training Content

The topic of diversity is one that should be talked about amongst every organization, for us, the cybersecurity industry is one that needs work and specifically how to go about it in security awareness training. The discussion of diversity is not a comfortable one. However, in light of the many movements such as Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, Stop AAPI Hate, Equal Pay, and many more, the cyber industry can’t ignore the glaringly obvious need for more diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Since the founding of Curricula, diversity has been baked into our training content and people. We wanted to be transparent about our process of how we approach diversity, create our security awareness training content, and encourage inclusive learning for all employees. Hopefully, this will help pave the path for organizations looking for security awareness training content that supports their DEI efforts, not because they have to but because they want to. If this is the first time you’re hearing about diversity in security awareness content, read on to see what you’re missing and how you can improve.

Breaking Cyber Security Stereotypes

A 2021 report on diversity in cybersecurity shared that only 24% of the workforce identified as female, while less than 22% is made up by minorities (with 9% self-identifying as Black, 8% as Asian, and only 4% as Hispanic). This confirms the still overwhelming portion of the industry that is made up of white males. This problem isn’t about one individual, but rather not understanding the bigger picture. Diversity in cyber security is important because we want to encourage people of all genders, backgrounds, and races to look at problems through a different lens. Security is all about unique perspectives and trusting each other as a community.

‍