Acronis has published its 2025 Women in Tech report, revealing differences in how men and women perceive career opportunities, workplace challenges, and barriers to advancement in the technology sector.
The report, titled FOMO at Work: The Opportunity Gap Between Men and Women in Tech, is based on a survey of more than 650 IT professionals globally. The survey highlights a perception gap between men and women on the state of career opportunities in technology.
Only 60 per cent of women believe men and women have equal access to career development and growth, compared to 75 per cent of men. Women report barriers tied to bias, work-life balance, and leadership opportunities, while men view the industry as more equitable.
63 per cent of women say work-life balance challenges impact career progression for women, whilst only 49 per cent of men agree. 67 per cent of women believe they must work longer hours to advance, compared with 56 per cent of men who think the same.
52 per cent of women are very or extremely concerned about missing career opportunities due to family responsibilities, compared to 42 per cent of men. The concern about missing career-defining events due to family responsibilities emerged as a theme in the research.
Bias remains main barrier for women in cybersecurity careers, survey shows
41 per cent of women cite bias and stereotypes as the main barrier to women starting cybersecurity careers, versus 33 per cent of men. In terms of leadership roles, 41 per cent of women identify bias as the biggest barrier to women pursuing leadership positions in tech, compared to 36 per cent of men.
70 per cent of women prioritise leadership development programmes tailored to women, versus 56 per cent of men.
“Our new survey findings shine a spotlight on just how differently men and women experience working in the tech industry,” said Alona Geckler, SVP Business Operations and Chief of Staff at Acronis. “Closing the gender gap requires more than good intentions. Organisations must recognise these disparities and design programmes that expand leadership opportunities, confront bias head-on, and create environments where work-life balance doesn’t present any barriers that may potentially derail women’s careers.”
82 per cent of women in tech say more female leaders would improve workplace culture, according to the report. The analysis reinforces the need for action, with inequities remaining embedded in workplace culture, particularly in technology fields.
Women see value in initiatives such as leadership development and advocacy, whilst men tend to underestimate the weight of systemic barriers. These perspectives reveal where organisations are falling short and point to opportunities for companies to close gaps, strengthen inclusivity, and unlock the potential of their workforce.
“This report highlights the critical need for companies to listen more closely to women’s experiences in technology career paths,” said Melyssa Banda, Senior Vice President, Edge Storage and Services at Seagate Technology. “For companies across the tech sector, highlighting women role models, addressing bias directly, and fostering inclusive cultures can benefit the entire industry. The opportunity now is to turn these insights into action that can drive innovation and create a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
Women represent 29 per cent of the global tech workforce, a figure mirrored in the survey’s methodology to ensure accuracy and relevance.
The 2025 report builds on Acronis’ 2024 Women in Tech Report, The New FOMO: Females Fear Missing Opportunities in IT, which first explored women’s fear of missing out on technology-focused career opportunities.
This year’s study broadened its scope by including both men and women, covered more countries for broader insights, and doubled the respondent pool to more closely reflect the realities of today’s tech workforce.
