What you can do to address the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

There are about 700,000 cybersecurity jobs that are open and up for grabs currently. But there’s no one to take it. The cybersecurity talent gap is widening by the day, and many companies are failing to secure the right individuals for cybersecurity open roles in their organizations. The real question to ponder on is why is there such a huge shortage of talent in this industry despite the abundance of jobs in the field. Why aren’t individuals taking up careers in what seems to be such a promising field?

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Where the Problem lies

Broadcasting the cybersecurity skills gap hasn’t helped acquire the right candidates 66% of professionals in the field have reported feeling extremely stressed at work due to the increasing workload level. As one problem gets solved two new ones surface. This combined with the management of sensitive data across various networks, feels like a huge burden and something may slip.

Did you know that data breaches cost companies about $3 million to $5 billion per event? Which is why it’s impossible for companies to slack on security of data, which means they always need their cybersecurity professionals at their service.

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Some of the factors causing the skills gap are-

1. The constant increase in demand for talent

It’s a technologically dependent world and every organization seeks the best technology and professionals with the technical acumen to handle the same. Securing systems, networks, and data against cyber-attacks is not just important but has become tougher than ever, and to add to it the rising complexity of technologies and processes doesn’t make it easier to acquire talent with a wide range of skills.

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2. Lack of diversity in the talent pool

The diversification of talent, although is happening, is happening slowly. According to research out of 70% of cybersecurity workers 60 and older are white men, 13% are white women, 15% are non-white men and 2% are non-white women.

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3. Employers expecting way more than plausible out of employees

Yes, cybersecurity roles do require certain relevant qualification and experience in the field, but that isn’t the only important criteria and employers fail to understand this. Candidates, with caliber and talent, but who do not meet the exact requirements, read job descriptions with a wide set of requirements but refrain from applying fearing their suitability.

4. Lack of upskilling

To become the best at cybersecurity, you must continuously learn and update yourself on new techniques, such as increasing resilience on cloud security and evolving threats against data and systems. But the work overload is such, that employees don’t find the time to upskill and are already on the verge of burnout.

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5. High attrition rates

According to research, around 1/3rd of the cybersecurity workforce is looking for a change in their careers. The main reason being the pressure of the jobs.

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Addressing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap

While it isn’t a problem that could be solved overnight, there are certain things that organizations can start doing to address the skills gap.

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1. Train existing employees with skills they need in the now.

One of the biggest challenges the cybersecurity industry is facing is high attrition rates. This is one of the important problems to tackle. Investing in training your existing workforce will go a long way in helping your company succeed.

Gartner predicts that one-quarter of cybersecurity professionals are looking to quit by 2025, due to heavy burnout.

Providing your workforce with the right training can result in higher pay for the employee and a high return on investment for the employer, critical for organizations while dealing with reducing cybersecurity budgets.

• Automate routine tasks when feasible, lowering the stress on employees
• Use managed security services to monitor, analyze and incident response
• Consider the possibility of job rotation for stressful positions

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2. Up your game and incorporate cybersecurity strategies that are game currently

Innovative technology will be the driver of the future. Adopting modern technologies will not just create new types of job opportunities but will also help realize new capabilities. Generative AI is set to become a $1 trillion market according to Bloomberg intelligence . With the increasing investment in AI, companies must strive to upskill and to remain competitive.

Instead of attempting to recruit or passively waiting to hire new talent for your cybersecurity teams, focus on upskilling your current workforce with the necessary competencies to handle emerging technologies as you integrate them.

Training programs like Cisco U., utilize AI-based learning programs to accelerate the learning experience for individuals helping them to learn, grow, and adapt.

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3. Go beyond just mere approvals from the Security operations center

Cybersecurity is a bigger game than just getting approvals from the CTO or CEO. It is imperative to demonstrate the benefits of current cybersecurity skills across the business. Securing organization-wide support marks the initial stride toward fostering a workplace ethos that acknowledges the capability and potential of your current workforce in bolstering your cybersecurity initiatives.

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is supposed to safeguard an organization's vital data by securing its assets, applications, systems, and technology, all while driving business objectives forward. They need to know where their skills are working across the organization and consistently seek avenues to enhance their capabilities to adapt to the evolving security landscape.

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Conclusion

As the cybersecurity landscape advances, so too must the skill set necessary for success, especially in the fast-paced landscape of evolving technology and cybersecurity, where priorities can swiftly shift.

By providing your current employees with the right upskilling and training opportunities, you’ll be creating a more able workforce with the new cybersecurity skillset required for the job. Focussing on the bigger picture is what will help cybersecurity companies to thrive.