EPISODE 49: Are Our Cybersecurity Controls Inclusive? Going Beyond Hiring When It Comes To Diversity In Cybersecurity
Welcome to Compromising Positions!
The award-winning tech podcast that asks non-cybersecurity professionals what we in the industry can do to make their lives easier and help make our organisations more prepared to face ever-changing human-centric cyber threats!
This episode we are joined by Marcy Charollois. Marcy is a social tech writer, content strategist, and the founder of Merci Marcy and The Safe Place. Her mission is to enable teams to embody a culture of genuine inclusion beyond superficial measures.
This week we explore the complex, important, and under-discussed topic of diversity, equity and inclusion in cybersecurity.
As an industry, we do an alright job talking about hiring diversity in cyber, but that is not where the topic should end. With more and more people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities interacting with our security controls, we need to think about whether the security measures we put in place are accessible.
We explore how can make a more accessible cybersecurity user journey, design inclusive password patterns, how to be an ally in this space and make sure that we always act ethically when we think about security.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in creating a more equitable and effective cybersecurity landscape.
Key Takeaways:
Inclusive Security Controls: Marcy explains why diversity and inclusion should be integral to our security controls. It’s not just about who we hire but how we design our systems to be inclusive for all users.
Purposeful Technology: Avoid creating technology for technology’s sake. Always consider the end-users and their diverse needs to ensure the technology serves everyone effectively.
Inclusive Passwords: Traditional password systems can be exclusionary. Marcy discusses how we can make password fields more accessible and inclusive, particularly for those with disabilities.
The Coded Gaze: Our current coding practices often reflect a narrow societal view, excluding many groups. Marcy urges the adoption of accessible design practices to create better security solutions.
Allyship and Continuous Improvement: Being an ally involves continuous learning, listening, and taking concrete actions. Marcy provides a recipe for inclusive UX to help check biases and improve user experiences for marginalised communities.
Links to everything we discussed in this episode can be found in the show notes and if you liked the show, please do leave us a review.
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We hope you enjoyed this episode - See you next time, keep secure, and don’t forget to ask yourself, ‘Am I the compromising position here?’
Keywords: cybersecurity, inclusion, equity, inclusive design, allyship, diversity, accessibility, passwords
Show Notes
Marcy’s Talk at WebDevCon - Racism Fuels User Experiences
Unmasking AI: My Mission to Protect What is Human in a World of Machines by Joy Buolamwini
Alba Villamil’s LinkedIn
About Marcy Charollois
Marcy Charoloois is a social tech writer, content strategist, and the founder of Merci Marcy and The Safe Place. She served as the editor-in-chief of WeLoveDevs for two years, where she made history as the first woman, as well as the first racialised and LGBTQIA+ woman, to be hired.
Recognising the lack of representation for people like herself in the tech industry, Marcy took a committed stance to promote diversity. She is dedicated to breaking through the pretence of corporate values and advocating for real cohesion within teams. Her mission is to enable teams to embody a culture of genuine inclusion beyond superficial measures.
