Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity firm, has joined hands with GRAMAX, a specialist in protecting Critical Information Infrastructure (CII), to host a special session dedicated to the growing role of women in cybersecurity. The event, titled “Resilience in Action: The Women Beyond the Firewalls”, focused on building more inclusive security ecosystems by celebrating achievements, addressing challenges, and creating new leadership pathways for women.
The initiative reflects a broader industry recognition that inclusion isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s a strategic advantage in the evolving cyber threat landscape.
Representation Gap Still Exists
Despite rising visibility, the gender gap in cybersecurity remains stark. Kaspersky’s Women in Tech report found that 56% of women see a positive shift in gender equality within their companies. However, 44% still believe that men progress faster, and nearly 40% say they hesitate to enter the field due to the lack of female representation.
These statistics shaped the day’s discussions — centering on mentorship, inclusive hiring, and culture change as critical drivers to make cybersecurity careers more accessible and appealing for women.
Voices from the Frontlines
Senior women professionals from Kaspersky and GRAMAX shared personal stories, insights, and roadmaps for others to follow. The conversation spanned topics such as navigating leadership transitions, managing bias, and the need for active allies in the boardroom.
Jaydeep Singh, General Manager, India at Kaspersky, emphasized that “Empowering women in cybersecurity isn’t just social good — it’s a business necessity. Diverse teams are proven to make better decisions, faster.”
Bithal Bhardwaj, CEO of GRAMAX, echoed the sentiment, adding, “Visibility leads to aspiration. If we want more women in critical infrastructure roles, we need to put role models front and center.”
Kaspersky’s Broader Inclusion Strategy
Kaspersky has been steadily increasing its female workforce. Today, 25% of its global tech employees are women, with 16% in senior management roles. Its Women in Tech initiative supports career growth through internal mentoring, regional visibility campaigns, and STEM education partnerships.
In Africa, for example, Kaspersky has signed an MoU with Smart Africa to support digital skill-building for women and girls through regional STEM programs.
This latest event with GRAMAX is part of a growing trend in the cyber industry — where organizations are beginning to view inclusion as infrastructure: not an afterthought, but foundational to building resilient and future-ready security teams.
