The Cyber Security Skills Gap

In today’s world where everything is being computerized, new challenges and risks are emerging with every waking day. The internet has opened up the possibilities for hackers to target organizations as cybercrime becomes a big business globally. 

According to a report by Statista, the manufacturing industry was the biggest target for cybercriminals in 2022 being followed by the finance and insurance sectors. A 2023 Hiscox Cyber Readiness Reports showed that cyber-attacks have been consistently rising since 2020 to 2023. Small businesseswere the most targeted ventures.

With all these going on, there is a dire need for cybersecurity experts to be able to combat the growing menace. In 2024, there is a skill gap that needs to be filled if we are to see improvements in the area. A study by (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce reported that the world needed a 145% increase in cybersecurity workforce. 

But what exactly causes this skills gap?

The Complexity of Security Management Tools

Organizations have been shown to be using anywhere between 25 to 75 security tools. 

For instance, SIEM tools are used by security and risk management leaders to detect, analyze and respond to security threats before they can attack business operations. Another vital component are SAST tools, which are used to identify the root cause of vulnerabilities and help deal with the underlying security threats.

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Some of these tools can be complex to manage, requiring much time and resources. However, with the evolving complexity of threats, there is a need for more advanced skills to mitigate the risks. There is a need for well-qualified candidates to be able to deal with these tasks. 

There is a Deficit of Qualified Job Applicants

One serious problem facing the cybersecurity industry is a shortage of qualified talent. A report by ISACA’s State of Cybersecurity in 2020 said that that more than half of their respondents had qualified cybersecurity applicants. A further 32% of the respondents said that they take approximately 6 months in order to find a qualified person when there is an open position. 

Many people applying for positions do not have the right qualifications, meaning that they do not possess:

·        The right skills

·        Needed certifications

·        Robust experience

Since the threat in the online space is constantly advancing, we need people that are knowledgeable and can keep up with the ever-changing technological advancements. 

However, job applicants claim that employers have unrealistic expectations. They are not given a chance to have the hands-on experience required or even showcase the expertise they possess. Sometimes, employees are overworked and not given the time to increase their knowledge and learn new skills. 

Unless there is a balance between employers and job applicants, the gap might continue widening. 

Cybersecurity Experts Are Changing Professions

There has been an alarming change in the cybersecurity industry workforce as many industry experts are switching careers. A survey by Trellix reported that over one-third of the cybersecurity workforce have plans to change careers. 

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This is a result of the immense pressure generated by cybersecurity jobs and understaffing. Skilled employees also demand high salaries, which many companies might not be able to provide, leading to companies having fewer staff than anticipated. 

As people leave this profession, there are fewer people who are getting into the profession, widening the skills gap.  

Benefits of Cybersecurity Skills to a Business

Organizations have a responsibility of ensuring that they have the right kind of cybersecurity expertise. With the massive rise of cyber-attacks, not having enough cybersecurity skillset can be detrimental.

One of the major roles of cybersecurity professionals is assessing and identifying vulnerabilities in the organization’s systems. Experts perform regular security audits to see whether there are any weaknesses that can give hackers leeway. They also build and enforce security measures such as:

·        Firewalls

·        Multi-factor authentication

·        Encryption protocols

In case there is a breach, these professionals are responsible for directly dealing with the attack so as to minimize the impact. Their speed and prowess allows them to know what to do in the event of whatever attack is made and they give the needed solution. This helps secure important company data, ensure a smooth flow of operations and mitigate financial losses. 

Additionally, having cybersecurity experts will improve your business by:

·        Optimizing IT infrastructure

·        Identifying system weaknesses

·        Recommending necessary upgrades

If a business is not able to employ its own experts, it can partner with outsourcing companies that offer professionals. This is important to ensure that they are always ahead of cybercriminals and that they maintain the confidentiality of much-treasured data. 

As cyber threats are continually increasing, there is an increasing need for more skilled cybersecurity workers. However, there is a growing gap skill because of various reasons including a shortage of qualified applicants, varying salary expectations and professionals changing careers. Without having enough skills in the cybersecurity industry, cybercriminals might get the upper hand to take advantage of unsuspecting companies.