The Acronis 2025 Report reveals that 82% of women in tech believe more female leaders would greatly enhance workplace culture, underscoring the need for stronger representation and inclusivity in the industry.
Despite progress in diversity and inclusion, women in technology continue to experience a persistent gender gap in career advancement and leadership opportunities. A new global study by Acronis, a leader in cybersecurity and data protection, highlights how deeply rooted workplace inequities still influence women’s experiences — and what organizations can do to close the gap.
The Acronis 2025 Women in Tech Report, titled “FOMO at Work: The Opportunity Gap Between Men and Women in Tech,” reveals that 82% of women in technology believe having more female leaders would significantly improve workplace culture. The report underscores a continuing perception divide between men and women regarding equal opportunity, work-life balance, and career progression in the tech sector.
Persistent Gaps in Perception and Opportunity
The findings are based on a global survey of more than 650 IT professionals across eight countries — the U.S., U.K., Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Italy, Singapore, and Japan — reflecting the composition of the global tech workforce, where women currently represent just 29%.
While men tend to view the technology industry as increasingly equitable, women cite structural barriers that continue to impede their growth. These include bias, lack of leadership development pathways, and the challenge of maintaining work-life balance in demanding technology roles.
Some key findings from the survey include:
- Equal opportunities: Only 60% of women believe that men and women have equal access to career development and growth, compared with 75% of men.
- Work-life balance: 63% of women say balancing professional and personal life significantly impacts their career progression, while only 49% of men share this concern.
- Time at work: 67% of women believe they must work longer hours to advance, compared to 56% of men.
- Bias in entry: 41% of women versus 33% of men cite bias and stereotypes as key barriers preventing women from entering cybersecurity roles.
- Leadership barriers: 41% of women identify bias as the biggest obstacle to reaching leadership positions in tech, compared with 36% of men.
- Leadership development: 70% of women say leadership programs tailored for women are critical, compared to 56% of men.
- FOMO at work: 52% of women express strong concern about missing career opportunities due to family responsibilities, compared to 42% of men.
Beyond Intentions: The Call for Structural Change
Commenting on the findings, Alona Geckler, SVP of Business Operations and Chief of Staff at Acronis, emphasized the need for organizations to move beyond intent and take measurable actions.
“Closing the gender gap requires more than good intentions. Organizations must recognize these disparities and design programs that expand leadership opportunities, confront bias head-on, and create environments where work-life balance doesn’t derail women’s careers,” she said.
The report paints a nuanced picture of gender equity in tech. While many companies have introduced inclusion programs, women still perceive a lack of tangible progress — especially in leadership representation and mentorship access. Men, on the other hand, often underestimate these barriers, reflecting a communication and empathy gap that continues to hinder cultural transformation.
Turning Insights into Action
Industry leaders agree that the opportunity lies in transforming insight into sustained action. Melyssa Banda, Senior Vice President, Edge Storage and Services at Seagate Technology, noted:
“This report highlights the critical need for companies to listen more closely to women’s experiences in technology career paths. 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 drives innovation and creates a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
The 2025 study builds on Acronis’ previous Women in Tech report released in 2024, “The New FOMO: Females Fear Missing Opportunities in IT.” The earlier study explored women’s anxiety about missing out on tech career opportunities. This year’s expanded edition includes both men and women respondents, covers a broader global sample, and doubles the participant pool for a more representative picture of gender perceptions in the tech workforce.
A Broader Reflection for the Tech Ecosystem
Acronis’ findings reinforce a broader industry reality: gender equity in technology is not only a matter of fairness but also of innovation and performance. Numerous studies have shown that diverse teams drive stronger outcomes, yet women continue to be underrepresented in leadership — especially in cybersecurity, infrastructure, and engineering roles.
The latest report is both a mirror and a roadmap. It reveals the extent of the perception gap and offers organizations clear direction — from designing women-focused leadership programs to implementing policies that normalize flexibility and dismantle systemic bias.
As tech companies worldwide compete for skilled talent, creating inclusive, balanced, and equitable environments may prove not just socially imperative — but strategically decisive.