Cyber security is at the heart of today’s digital revolution, yet it remains one of the most male-dominated sectors in science and technologyData from Zippia shows that while women hold 48% of roles in the broader workforce, they represent only 24% of the cyber security workforce.In leadership, the numbers are more or less similar —just 16% of cyber security industry vice presidents are women, yet some companies, like Check Point, have exceeded this by reaching 20% female VPs globally​.

This disparity isn’t just a pipeline problem—it’s also a perception problem. Girls and young women often don’t see cyber security as an accessible career path due to a lack of representation, industry stereotypes, and systemic barriers. But breaking into cyber security isn’t just about numbers; it’s about reshaping the future of digital defense with diverse perspectives, innovative problem-solving, and inclusive leadership.

Cyber Security’s Talent Shortage: A Missed Opportunity

The cyber security industry faces a critical talent shortage, with an estimated 4 million unfilled cyber security jobs worldwide according to a recent World Economic Forum report​. Australia’s Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan 2019 noted the country had a ‘severe shortage’ of job ready security workers, with 17,000 more needed by 2026. Addressing this gap requires tapping into all available talent pools—and that means actively attracting and retaining women in cyber security.

Nataly Kremer, Chief Product Officer & Head of Research & Development at Check Point, underscores this urgency:

“Cyber security is an ultra-dynamic field where creativity and innovation are crucial. Fresh perspectives are essential to staying ahead of cyber adversaries. By attracting more women to cyber security, we not only address the talent gap but also enhance problem-solving and security outcomes.”​

The Women Defending the Digital Frontlines

Despite the challenges, many women have risen to leadership positions in cyber security, proving that they are just as capable—if not more so—than their male counterparts.

At Check Point, women hold 44% of top leadership positions, overseeing 78% of employees. This is a testament to the company’s commitment to mentorship, leadership programs, and inclusive hiring.

One example is Maya Horowitz, VP of Research at Check Point, who leads global efforts in threat intelligence and cyber defense. She emphasizes that cyber security needs more female leaders to drive innovation and stronger business outcomes:

“Closing the gender gap in cyber security is not just a matter of equality. We need to ensure cyber security careers are accessible and attractive to women. This includes education, professional development, inclusive recruitment measures, and mentorship programs.”​

Women leaders like Horowitz are paving the way for the next generation, proving that diversity strengthens cyber security by bringing in different problem-solving approaches and perspectives.

Cyber Security Needs More Women—But Where Are They?

If cyber security desperately needs talent, and women are proving their ability to lead, why aren’t more women entering the field? The barriers are deep-rooted and multifaceted.

1. Lack of Early Exposure & STEM Education Gaps

Despite progress, women remain a minority in STEM fields like computer science, engineering, and IT. A UNESCO science report “To be Smart, the Digital Revolution will need to be Inclusive” found that even though women make up 44% of PhD holders, only 33% of them stay in research roles​.

To combat this, Check Point has launched several initiatives to introduce young girls to cyber security early, including:

• SecureAcademy Program – Integrating cyber security into university curricula.
• Graduate & Mentorship Programs – Offering training, networking, and career development for young women entering the field​.

Building the Future: How to Get More Women into Cyber security 

1. Industry Support & Inclusive Hiring

Companies need to go beyond hiring quotas and create genuine opportunities for women to thrive. At Check Point, 41% of new hires in the EMEA region are women, a step toward balancing representation​.

2. Stronger Mentorship & Leadership Development

• Check Point’s FIRE (Females in Roles Everywhere) initiative is dedicated to fostering a strong network of women in cyber security.
• Formal mentoring programs help women navigate career challenges, gain confidence, and access leadership roles​.

3. Changing the Narrative2. Perception & Confidence Barriers

Many young women still do not see cyber security as a viable career path. The industry’s hacker culture and male-dominated image can be intimidating, deterring women before they even start.

Nataly Kremer points out, “You can’t be what you can’t see. Seeing women succeed in cyber security sets a powerful example for the next generation.”​

4. Career Progression Challenges

Even when women enter cyber security, they face challenges moving up the ranks. Women are less likely to be promoted to senior positions, despite being equally productive. Studies show that:

• Women receive 25% less research funding than men according to a ​recent A UNESCO science report “To be Smart, the Digital Revolution will need to be Inclusive”.
• According to the UNESCO report, in New Zealand, a man’s odds of being ranked professor were more than double that of a woman with similar qualifications​.

This is why mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership training programs are critical to helping women advance in cyber security.

Cyber security isn’t just about hacking and coding—it’s about problem-solving, risk management, and protecting digital communities. Encouraging women to explore diverse roles in cyber security, from AI-driven security to cyber law, can expand interest and participation.

A Call to Action

As we celebrate International Day of Women & Girls in Science, it’s clear that cyber security needs more women—not just to close the talent gap, but to create stronger, smarter, and more inclusive digital defenses.

• If you’re a woman considering a career in cyber security, seek out training programs, mentorships, and networking opportunities.
• If you’re a cyber security professional, advocate for more inclusive hiring and leadership opportunities.
• If you’re a business leader, invest in diversity programs—because a more inclusive cyber security industry is a stronger one.

The future of cyber security depends on breaking both (fire)walls and glass ceilings. We can each do much more to ensure the next generation of cyber defenders sees women leading the way.

14th February 2025-Urban Square Mall, Rajasthan’s largest mall, is set to redefine the shopping experience with its exclusive Valentine’s campaign, “Be Our Valentine,” running from February 14 to February 28, 2025. This unique initiative brings together all retailers under one roof to offer an array of exciting freebies and special surprises for shoppers, making this Valentine’s season truly memorable.

Speaking on the occasion, Uddhav Poddar, CMD, Bhumika Group, said:
“At Urban Square Mall, we are committed to enhancing customer experiences and making shopping more exciting. Over time, we have organized several engaging campaigns that bring together our retailers and shoppers, creating a dynamic and interactive shopping environment. ‘Be Our Valentine’ is another step in this direction – a celebration of love, joy, and retail therapy, where every shopper will be treated to something special. We are thrilled to have all our retailers on board for this one-of-a-kind campaign, and we look forward to hosting many more such engaging initiatives in the future.”

Siddharth Katyal, CEO, Bhumika Group, added:
“This initiative reflects our strong collaboration with retail partners and our dedication to providing unparalleled shopping experiences. With exclusive offers and exciting freebies, ‘Be Our Valentine’ is set to create a festive atmosphere that shoppers will truly enjoy.”

Shoppers can look forward to a series of special giveaways, discounts, and exclusive brand offerings throughout the campaign period. Stay tuned for more details on how you can be a part of this exciting Valentine’s celebration!

Mumbai, 14^th February 2025: Naffa Innovations Pvt. Ltd. (ToneTag), India’s leading voice-based payment and commerce solutions provider, has attracted an investment of INR 674 crores in its Series B2 funding round. The funding is a combination of primary and secondary capital and is led by ValueQuest S.C.A.L.E. Fund and its co-investors who have committed over 50% of the round, Iron Pillar, Elevate Inflection Capital LLC. Existing investor Elevate Innovation Partners LLC are also participating in this round. This investment will enable ToneTag to revamp customers payment experiences and accelerate its global expansion.

With over 30 million interactions per day, ToneTag is leveraging its patented soundwave protocol to deliver a seamless solution to its customers. Its stability at this scale highlights India’s prowess in creating globally competitive product companies. ToneTag counts global tech giants and leading Indian Banks amongst its customers in a B2B SaaS offering.

The company’s commitment to innovation has earned the trust of leading investors and partners. The funds raised will be directed toward scaling operations, advancing R&D efforts, recruiting quality talent, and enhancing marketing initiatives. ToneTag is also setting its sights on new markets in Asia, South America and the Middle East to bring its transformative solutions to a wider audience.

Pushkar Jauhari, MD & Head of Private Equity at ValueQuest commented, “India’s digital payment landscape has been growing rapidly, and we are excited to partner with ToneTag. ToneTag’s innovative voice-based technology coupled with regulatory and customer validation positions it well to capture market opportunity. At ValueQuest, we like backing companies that leverage new technology and commercialize offerings to address real world challenges.” 

Adding to this, Ashok Ananthakrishnan, Partner of Iron Pillar said, “We have been tracking ToneTag since 2017 and are excited to see the progress made by the company in terms of its marquee customer base, growth and profitability of the business. We are delighted to partner ToneTag in its next phase of growth in the payment infrastructure ecosystem. We believe ToneTag can play a crucial role in deepening and widening the UPI user base in both feature and non-feature phones in India.  Iron Pillar is also keen on partnering ToneTag in its foray into newer markets such as GCC, SouthEast Asia and South America”

Sridhar Chityala of Elevate Inflection Capital LLC and Elevate Innovation Partners LLC said, “ToneTag by Naffa innovations represents one of the most revolutionary and innovative transformation programs in the payments industry. Powered by patented Soundwave communication protocols for device-to-device engagement operating on Mobile infrastructure, democratization of payments is now a reality.  ToneTag service is unique that it operates both under digital and analog protocols. Thanks to India for the UPI payment protocol that it has dedicated to the industry, digitiazation of payments is skyrocketing in India. An outstanding team, client base, and well backed investor base, we are proud to be a part of this company since 2017”

Kumar Abhishek, Founder and CEO of ToneTag, said, “This funding round is a testament to the trust our investors have in our vision and technology prowess. With their support, we are ready to take the next big leap of bringing awe-inspiring experiences in the hands of consumers and expanding our solutions globally. This is not just a milestone for ToneTag but for India’s product innovation landscape.”

Mia by Tanishq proudly announces the release of a series of digital films this Valentine’s Day- “Not Just Another Day” in collaboration with The Yellow Shutter, a leading creative video production house. These heartwarming films celebrate the enduring love of mature couples, capturing the real and relatable moments that define their relationships.

An anthology of five distinct love stories, the campaign candidly explores the perspectives of couples who have journeyed through life together. Through intimate glimpses into their daily lives, the films highlight the significance of small, heartfelt gestures and how they contribute to the ongoing spark of love.

Sampurna Rakshit, Head of Marketing and E-Commerce, Mia by Tanishq, commented, “Once the honeymoon phase fades, Valentine’s Day becomes an afterthought for many couples. But celebrating it is just as important, no matter how long you’ve been together! ‘Not Just Another Day’ encourages couples to reignite that spark, make time to celebrate Valentine’s with Mia and create moments that are just as meaningful as the first!”

Dilpreet Kaur Sandhu, Head of Business for The Yellow Shutter, adds, “While we create numerous ad films, this project struck a particularly resonant chord. The lighthearted exploration of how even practical, ‘grown-up’ couples cherish small, thoughtful gestures of love, despite playful claims to the contrary, reflects the reality we all experience. Our focus was on creating something candid, heartwarming, and tinged with humor, showcasing love through these little moments of joy and connection.”

Bengaluru, 14th February, 2025 – In a move to address the growing global demand for highly skilled healthcare professionals, Health Sciences University (HSU) has announced a strategic partnership with Oxford International Education Group (OIEG). This collaboration aims to expand HSU’s Indian reach, enhancing its ability to educate and train the next generation of healthcare professionals while fostering global connections and innovation in health sciences.

HSU’s newly developed programmes for the international market are designed to meet the demands of global employers. These programmes are enriched by insights from industry practitioners and incorporate real-world learning opportunities. Indian students can opt for an MSc in Global Healthcare Management, this postgraduate course aims to advance knowledge of responsible and sustainable leadership and management within the global healthcare sector. The global healthcare management sector is a vast and complex market. It has been identified as among the most important and fastest growing industries worldwide which will be extremely advantageous to Indian students who look to seek employment post their studies.

With a 60-year legacy of excellence in health education, research, and clinical care, HSU’s mission to create a healthier society has never been more relevant. The partnership with OIEG will help HSU attract talented Indian students, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and experience to tackle modern healthcare challenges and seize emerging opportunities in the field.

International students at HSU can also expect to benefit from exceptional student support within a caring and inclusive academic environment and a Central London campus with easy access to everything this city has to offer, including a diverse, cosmopolitan population and rich cultural, social and professional opportunities.

OIEG will provide tailored services to support HSU’s internationalisation efforts, including student recruitment, compliance, admissions, enrolment, and student support. Together, HSU and OIEG aim to create a dynamic, globally connected academic community.

David Pilsbury, Chief Development Officer at OIEG, said of the partnership:

“We are delighted to have been chosen to support HSU’s international journey and look forward to working with staff and students to build an exciting and dynamic community deeply embedded in the issues and opportunities for global healthcare delivery in the future. Our global network, combined with HSU’s unique academic offering, will enhance opportunities and experiences for all students.”

Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences University agreed, stating:

“This partnership marks a new chapter in HSU’s development, and we are excited to grow our global footprint. With OIEG’s support, we’re confident incoming students to HSU will enjoy unparalleled success within a supportive academic environment, from start to finish.”