Acronis Report Reveals Gender Gaps in Tech Careers

Acronis has released its 2025 Women in Tech Report, highlighting persistent differences in how men and women perceive opportunities, career advancement, and bias in the technology sector. The report, titled FOMO at Work: The Opportunity Gap Between Men and Women in Tech, surveyed over 650 IT professionals worldwide and found that women continue to face narrower pathways to leadership, despite ongoing discussions on workplace inclusion and equality.

According to the survey, only 60 percent of women believe men and women have equal access to career development, compared with 75 percent of men. Work-life balance was cited as a major barrier by 63 percent of women, while 49 percent of men felt the same. The study also revealed that 67 percent of women feel the need to work longer hours to advance in their careers, compared with 56 percent of men.

The perception gap extends to leadership roles and entry-level positions in cybersecurity. Bias and stereotypes were identified as the primary barrier to women entering cybersecurity by 41 percent of women and 33 percent of men. For career advancement into leadership, 41 percent of women and 36 percent of men named bias as the main obstacle.

Leadership development programs specifically designed for women remain a priority, with 70 percent of female respondents valuing such initiatives, compared with 56 percent of men. Family responsibilities also influence career concerns, with 52 percent of women reporting anxiety over missed opportunities due to caregiving duties, while 42 percent of men shared this concern.

“Our new survey findings shine a spotlight on just how differently men and women experience working in the tech industry,” said Alona Geckler, SVP of Business Operations and chief of staff at Acronis. She emphasized that closing the gender gap requires more than intentions alone, urging companies to implement programs that expand leadership opportunities, confront bias, and remove work-life balance barriers that may hinder women’s careers.

The report notes that while progress has been made in some areas, workplace culture remains uneven. Women tend to value targeted leadership programs and advocacy initiatives more than men, who are less likely to perceive systemic barriers as significant. Acronis said these insights point to areas where employers need to improve policies and implement reforms to support equitable career growth.

Melyssa Banda, SVP of Edge Storage and Services at Seagate Technology, added that companies must listen to women’s experiences and take concrete steps to foster inclusive environments. Highlighting female role models, addressing bias directly, and supporting career development can benefit the technology sector as a whole.

Women currently make up 29 percent of the global technology workforce, a figure reflected in the survey sample. The report underscores the continuing need for actionable strategies to bridge gender gaps and ensure that technology careers are accessible and equitable for all professionals.