Survey Finds Women in Tech Feel Less Purchasing Power
ISACA's Tech Workplace and Culture 2026 study reports a wide gap between women and men in tech on purchasing authority.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Women’s Issues
Live Poll
Do you feel your input on workplace decisions is valued as much as your colleagues'?
A survey of 1025 technology professionals by ISACA found that 32 percent of women in tech believe they have sufficient purchasing authority, compared with 52 percent of men. The study also measured gaps in career progression, job security and perceived bias when entering the IT sector.
Why it matters
Purchasing authority shapes how much influence professionals have over budgets, tools and technology decisions. The findings add data to ongoing questions about whether career advancement in tech is experienced equally across genders.
The ISACA Tech Workplace and Culture 2026 survey covered 1025 technology professionals. Women reported lower purchasing authority and job security than men, though the study does not identify the reasons behind the differences.
The players
ISACA
ISACA is a global professional association for information systems audit, governance and cybersecurity practitioners, known for its certifications and workforce research.
The details
Respondents were asked about salary increases and promotions over the past two years, with 73 percent of women and 71 percent of men reporting a raise or promotion. Satisfaction with career progression was 67 percent among women and 73 percent among men, while satisfaction with job security was 59 percent among women and 69 percent among men.
Timeline
The salary and promotion figures cover the past two years before the study's release.
The study was released in November 2026.
Culture Shift
The 2026 findings extend ISACA's recurring Tech Workplace and Culture series, which tracks how women and men in technology experience careers differently over time. The study adds purchasing authority to the measures it tracks, a dimension of workplace influence that earlier editions did not emphasize.
Women in tech who feel limited in purchasing authority may want to document budget requests and decisions to clarify their influence. Professionals comparing their own workplaces can use the survey's measures of progression and job security as reference points during performance reviews.
The takeaway
The survey points to a measurable gap in perceived influence over technology spending between women and men in the field. Tracking purchasing authority alongside promotions may help reveal where workplace equity efforts are most needed.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Women's Issues for context on gender and workplace equity.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Crn.
Live Poll
Do you feel your input on workplace decisions is valued as much as your colleagues'?
