From the digital divide to gaps in security awareness, CRNtv explores why inclusivity in cybersecurity teams is essential—not just for equity, but for stronger, more resilient security strategies.
The Channel Women in Cybersecurity series amplifies the voices of women who are shaping the industry, not just through their expertise but through their leadership in tackling systemic challenges. In this conversation, Cass Cooper and Rubrik Global Channels VP Ghazal Asif Farhadi dive into an often-overlooked issue: how cybersecurity threats disproportionately impact under-represented and vulnerable communities.
Listen to the full interview on YouTube (above), Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Ghazal, you’ve had a long and impressive career in tech. Can you share a bit about your journey to cybersecurity and your current role?
I’ve been in the tech industry for nearly two decades, holding roles at Google, Cisco and HPE. Currently, I lead the global channels, alliances and inside sales team at Rubrik, a leading data security company. Last year we went public, which was a huge milestone for our team.
Shifting to cybersecurity, what do you see as the most pressing cyberthreats that disproportionately impact under-represented and vulnerable groups?
Instead of focusing on the threats themselves, I’d like to discuss why these vulnerabilities exist. Cyberthreats like ransomware impact everyone—small businesses, Fortune 100 companies—but the disproportionate effect on under-represented groups is rarely discussed. The root causes often include lack of access to resources, digital literacy and basic cybersecurity awareness.
That’s an important point. Can we clarify what we mean by ‘under-represented’ in this context?
Under-representation spans race, gender, economic status and even geography. Lack of access to technology is a major factor. For example, my cousins in Pakistan still don’t have reliable internet, while I’ve had access since the days of dial-up. Similarly, in the U.S., broadband access varies—79 percent of white households had broadband in 2019 compared to 66 percent of Black households and 61 percent of Hispanic households. Without reliable internet, people miss out on critical cybersecurity education and protection.
That’s a huge gap, especially when we consider remote learning during the pandemic. How do these disparities impact workforce readiness in cybersecurity?
The digital divide isn’t just a present-day issue—it affects the future workforce. If students didn’t have broadband access in 2020-2021, they missed critical digital literacy skills. Now, they’re entering a job market competing with those who had full access, creating a deeper skills gap in cybersecurity and AI awareness.
What role do companies play in addressing these cybersecurity gaps?
Organizations must be intentional in three key areas:
- Diverse Hiring and Mentorship: Companies need to actively recruit, mentor and promote under-represented groups in cybersecurity to ensure diverse perspectives are included in designing secure systems.
- Tailored Security Training: Most training is generic, but we need multilingual and culturally relevant security education. People engage differently based on their backgrounds, and making training more inclusive can increase awareness.
- Collaboration with NGOs and Community Groups: Many organizations already provide internal cybersecurity training, but why not extend these resources to community centers and nonprofits? This knowledge should be shared, not kept behind corporate walls.
We often overlook the role of NGOs, or non-government organizations, in cybersecurity. How can organizations work with them more effectively?
NGOs are already embedded in the communities we want to reach, making them the perfect partners. If tech companies collaborate with them, we can extend cybersecurity education, provide tools and create safer digital spaces for under-represented groups.
How does fostering inclusivity within cybersecurity teams improve overall security measures?
When teams are diverse, they bring different lived experiences that inform security solutions. Developers don’t need to know everything—they can rely on colleagues with unique insights. This leads to better product development, increased security awareness, and more innovative approaches to cybersecurity threats.
What should organizations do to build an inclusive cybersecurity culture?
It starts with leadership. A senior leader must assess diversity in cybersecurity teams and ask:
- What does inclusion look like today?
- Where are the gaps?
- What’s our three-year plan to improve?
Setting real, measurable goals—like achieving 50/50 gender representation or hiring from unconventional career paths—ensures accountability. Right now, many companies don’t even define what ‘good’ looks like, which makes progress impossible.
Any final thoughts?
Organizations need to move beyond performative inclusion efforts. Hiring one diverse team member doesn’t solve the problem—it’s about systemic change. We all have a role to play in cybersecurity education, access and protection.
