Sentiment About Cyber Security Professionals Improves
New research says that attitudes toward cyber security jobs are becoming more positive. The (ISC) Cybersecurity Perception Study surveyed 1,000 people in the UK, along with 1,500 in the US, to document their opinions of people working as cyber security professionals, as well as their views and misconceptions of cybersecurity as a career path.As the US National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is in October, these findings indicate a shift in popular opinion about cyber security professionals, who have traditionally been viewed through a negative lens as roadblocks to business efficiency.
The cyber security industry is made up of 2.8 million skilled professionals, but research indicates that there is a global shortage of 4 million, which requires a massive recruitment effort of new entrants to the field who may not have considered the career before.
The Cybersecurity Perception Study reveals that the obstacles to attracting these additional workers may be two-fold.
- 77% of respondents said cybersecurity was never offered as part of their formal educational curriculum at any point, making it difficult for most people to gain a solid understanding of what roles in the industry actually entail and how to pursue the career.
- A widespread belief that cybersecurity roles would require very advanced skills development that would require time and resources to achieve.
Additional highlighted findings include:
- 71% of the survey’s respondents, all of whom do not work in the industry, say they consider cyber security professionals to be smart and technically skilled.
- 51% also described them as “the good guys fighting cybercrime.” 69% of respondents replied that cyber security seems like a good career path, just not one they see themselves pursuing.
- Conducted during a time of record unemployment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the study found that job stability is now the most valued characteristic in a career (61% of respondents), followed by ones that offer a “flexible work environment” (57%) and only then, “earning potential” (56%).
- In the absence of formal cyber security education, perceptions about the industry and the professionals in it are formed primarily through portrayals in TV shows and movies (37% of respondents) or by news coverage of security incidents (31%).
- 61% of respondents said they believe they would either need to go back to school (26%), earn a certification (22%) or teach themselves new skills (13%) in order to pursue a career in cybersecurity. 32% of respondents said they believe too much technical knowledge or training would be required.
- Generation Z aged under 25 were the least likely demographic group to cast cyber security professionals in a positive light. Just 58% view cyber security professionals as smart and technically skilled, as opposed to 78% of Baby Boomers. Only 34% of Zoomers consider them the “good guys, fighting cybercrime,” as opposed to 60% of the middle aged Baby Boom generation of 54 - 75 year olds.
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