Redefining the future of deaf women in cybersecurity.

In 2020, in the DC Region alone, there were 64,449 cybersecurity job openings without enough trained workers to fill those positions. Senior government officials describe the slow pace of cyber hiring as a "national security threat", while only 25% of their cyber workers are women.

Women make up 51% of the population. Gender bias, misperceptions and lack of female role models have created barriers for this underutilized pool of resources.

42% of deaf people between the ages of 25 and 64 are not working or are looking for work. Once deaf people have obtained specialized degrees and full time employment, they have the same earning power as hearing people. However, deaf women face additional barriers to finding mentors and interview preparation.

At DEAFCYBERCON, we saw an opportunity to create an equitable pipeline of careers for deaf women in cybersecurity. Our partners in the deaf community, corporations, government agencies, academia, and non-profits are committed to increasing the net number of full- and part-time jobs for deaf women in cybersecurity.