The 2026 WiCyS Cyber Talent Study:
Unlocking the “WiCyS Edge”
The 2026 Cyber Talent Study, a landmark collaboration between Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) and skillrex, provides an empirical look at the performance of women in the cyber workforce. By benchmarking 532 WiCyS members against a global industry cohort, the research reveals a systemic performance advantage—the WiCyS Edge.
Methodology
Participants utlized the skillrex Baseline Assessment for this study. This instrument is a hybrid, skills-based assessment designed to establish a clear, data-driven understanding of individual and collective cyber workforce capability. The assessment combines self-reported proficiency, knowledge-based validation, and contextual experience data to create a defensible baseline organizations can trust—and act on.
KEY FINDINGS SHOW:
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Junior-Level (21.35% Edge): WiCyS members enter the field with materially higher workforce readiness. They significantly outperform peers in “Power Skills” like Critical Thinking and Communication, reducing the “time-to-value” for hiring organizations.
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Mid-Career (14.46% Edge): Advantage remains robust as practitioners pivot to high-stakes operational roles. WiCyS members demonstrate exceptional proficiency in Vulnerabilities Assessment and Incident Management.
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Senior-Level (7.75% Edge): While the industry gap narrows due to survivor bias, WiCyS leaders maintain “towering dominance” in Education Training Delivery and Knowledge Management.
Jeff Welgan
Chief Strategist & CEO
“Skillrex’s research partnership with WiCyS underscores the power of combining data-driven workforce intelligence with a mission-driven community. Together, we’re identifying strengths and areas of opportunity, and equipping WiCyS with actionable insights that inform and elevate their programming. By focusing development where it’s needed most, WiCyS empowers its members and ensures the entire cybersecurity field moves forward with greater intentionality.”
Lynn Dohm
WiCyS Executive Director
“This assessment allows members to deepen their understanding of their capabilities in the cybersecurity workforce to determine their strengths and weaknesses in the role they currently have and also in alignment with the industry expectations of that role.”