Kaspersky launches career orientation test to inspire girls into cybersecurity

In a significant move to bridge the gender gap in the cybersecurity sector, Kaspersky, in partnership with Smart Africa and Africaines in Tech, has unveiled an innovative career orientation test, “Future You in Tech.”

Launched on 6 October 2025, this science-backed initiative aims to inspire young women to explore and pursue careers in a field that has traditionally seen a male-dominated workforce.

The technology industry is evolving rapidly, yet disheartening statistics underline a persistent challenge: women constitute only 28.2% of the global STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) workforce, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024.

This disparity can be attributed to various systemic barriers, including stereotypes and unequal workplace opportunities.

Kaspersky and its partners seek to dismantle these barriers by fostering interest and providing essential support to aspiring female cybersecurity professionals.

The “Future You in Tech” orientation test aims to guide young women as they navigate the myriad career paths within the cybersecurity realm. Participants engage with the test, which includes various scenarios designed to unveil their problem-solving styles and strengths.

Upon completion, the test highlights each individual's top two matches among six crucial cybersecurity roles:

• Threat Intelligence: Analyzing cybercriminal activities and predicting future threats.
• Security Operations (SOC): Monitoring systems to detect threats and respond to incidents.
• Malware Analysis: Reverse-engineering malicious code and developing detection protocols.
• Network Security: Safeguarding IT infrastructure and conducting penetration tests.
• Information Security Research: Identifying vulnerabilities and exploring new attack methods.
• Security Assessment: Auditing systems to pinpoint risks before they can be exploited.

By participating in this concise test, young women can not only discover how their unique abilities align with potential career paths but also take the first step towards impactful careers dedicated to protecting individuals, enterprises, and the digital ecosystem.

Moreover, participants will receive guidance from Kaspersky’s accomplished female experts, offering insights into the roles and advice on how to advance their careers.

Suggested next steps – including recommended readings and practical activities – are also included, collaboratively designed with insights from Smart Africa, Africaines in Tech, and Kaspersky Academy.

Evgeniya Russkikh, Head of Academic Affairs at Kaspersky, encourages young women to take the orientation test.

“Even if you’ve never considered a career in cybersecurity, this test provides an unbiased view. While the field requires technical expertise, it also thrives on curiosity, creativity, problem-solving, and resilience – qualities many young women inherently possess. This test empowers individuals to connect their strengths with tangible career paths, enabling them to envision a future in cybersecurity,” she elaborated.

This initiative reflects Kaspersky’s enduring commitment to advancing women in technology.

By early 2023, women comprised 25% of the company’s global tech workforce, marking a significant increase of 6.9 percentage points over four years.

To further amplify women’s voices in the sector, Kaspersky also operates the Empower Women digital project, which focuses on raising awareness around gender-related challenges while providing expert perspectives and practical advice for creating equitable and inclusive environments in technology and beyond.

BUSINESS REPORT