Three Women Strengthening Nordic Cybersecurity
To enable the digital transformation necessary for Nordic competitiveness, there is a considerable need for expertise in cybersecurity. Three strong advocates for cybersecurity, who are working actively to increase expertise in the field, are Pernilla Rönn, Head of the Cyber Security division in Sweden, Lone Flohr, CEO of Combitech Denmark, and Anette Roll Richardsen, CEO of Watchcom (a Norwegian cybersecurity company within Combitech).
Cybersecurity is one of today’s major challenges in light of the digital transformation our entire society is undergoing. All of the possibilities presented by a digital society must be carefully handled to safeguard the security of involved parties. Trust is the new currency, and strengthening it will require more employees and new types of employees.
As is the case in other technology and IT-related fields, the cybersecurity industry is facing a challenge over the next few years to find resources and skills. One of the ways Combitech can recruit more employees is by increasing the gender ratio and diversity in the company.
Another thing the three directors agree on, besides for the increased demand for cybersecurity services, is that digitalisation is in the start-up phase and will affect the need for new knowledge in new areas.
Cybersecurity extends across organisations and entails a degree of operational evolution equal to that of technology. For this reason, Combitech is seeking many diverse skills and competencies, not only technical engineers but also analysts, lawyers, communications coordinators and HR specialists.
- “It allows us to recruit from wider areas of expertise, which in turn has another positive effect – we get a more diversified organisation,” says Pernilla Rönn.
The goal is to grow Combitech’s cybersecurity operations.
-“It means we have to be creative, we have to think differently,” says Anette Roll Richardsen. “Something in the US from which we drew inspiration was to use gamification to train new employees in becoming cybersecurity consultants.”
-“In Combitech we have different talent programmes,” explains Rönn, “and one of these is, of course, related to cybersecurity. We have noticed that it attracts both male and female applicants. In this way, I think we are a role model.”
- “I think that having clear female role models in our industry is an important tool for encouraging women to start working in the IT and technology industry,” says Lone Flohr. “If digital transformation in society is to progress, a larger recruitment base is needed – we have to broaden the scope.”
All three women agree that, as a company, Combitech can help drive diversity efforts, but that the issue is universal and goes beyond industries. It is also a social issue which demands that decision-makers ensure a plan for the future.
-“As a modern IT and technology company striving for greater diversity, having three women in leading positions is a strength,” says Hans Torin, CEO of Combitech. “I believe that expertise in combination with different individual backgrounds and personalities strengthens us as a company and leads to better decisions.”
Read more:
Anette Roll Richardsen named one of top 50 women of influence in cyber security
