The need to fill this gap is urgent as cybersecurity threats are increasing and worsening. What have been the steps taken so far? And what can be done to improve them? Tech companies must take proactive steps to solve the problem. It’s not surprising that cybersecurity workers are highly sought after. Ask any MSP or tech company how difficult is it to find qualified employees to protect customers. GuidePoint Security principal Bryan Orme calls it a “talent war” because there is a severe shortage of cyber talent. This is a crucial time for tech companies, with companies feeling pressured to secure their data and security breaches that have impacted millions. Cyberseek reports that there are currently more than 460,000 jobs in cyber-related fields in the United States. Cyberseek asks: How did cybersecurity reach this gap? And, more importantly, how can we address it?
How did we get to this point?
As we mentioned, digitalization is becoming more popular since the outbreak of the pandemic. CompTIA’s State of Cybersecurity in 2020 report showed that companies had to revamp their IT systems due to the influx of remote workers. Many companies were overwhelmed by the amount of work required to implement these changes. This included managing remote employees and assessing the security of their online infrastructures. They needed to increase their cybersecurity workforce. Cyberattacks increased in frequency and reach during this shift, taking advantage the chaos caused by the pandemic. This trend is not slowing down and more professionals will be required. The field requires specialized training and there are not many universities or centers that offer the required curriculum. This results in a lack of opportunities for both potential students and practitioners. Because cybersecurity is literally about safety and carries the responsibility for future actions by these companies, professionals feel immense pressure as the stakes continue to rise. This causes employee burnout, and eventually high turnover.
What is being done?
The need to fill this gap is urgent as cybersecurity threats are increasing and worsening. What have been the steps taken and what can be done to improve cybersecurity? Many solution providers and other tech companies now invest in cybersecurity training. This can help to reduce costs and retain talent. These companies can reduce the risk of digital attacks on their customers and themselves if they work to improve their internal skills. Also, training is being done at the university level. Online cybersecurity degrees today equip students with real-world knowledge and allow them to apply lessons learned to current cybersecurity threats in virtual environments. With expert guidance, students are also taught offensive, general, and defensive cybersecurity. Universities can only do so much. CompTIA, on the other hand, aims to fill the skills gap by offering tech training and education options that are not related to higher education. Companies are changing their job descriptions in the interim. They are changing job descriptions to attract qualified applicants and making the team more innovative in order to attract them. They are also focusing on the professional skills required by applicants and not just their skills. These qualities could include curiosity, problem-solving ability, and a strong work ethic. All of these characteristics can be useful in shaping future professionals if they are given the right training and guidance. With many sectors struggling to stay afloat and more costly threats around the corner, there is a high demand for cybersecurity workers. Tech companies should take proactive, consistent steps to encourage students and individuals to become cybersecurity professionals, to promote opportunities, and to diversify their hiring methods. It is hard to find cyber talent today, but it will get harder tomorrow. Are you up to the challenge? Want to learn more cybersecurity? Register for CompTIA’s Cybersecurity Community and if cybersecurity is important to you, join the CompTIA Information Sharing and Analysis Organization.