Solving The Skills Gap

The cybersecurity industry has always been at a disadvantage, due to the lack of consideration and forward planning when information technology was first implemented. No one could have thought that the market for company and consumer data would be so lucrative.

Cybersecurity was an afterthought and only inducted once an organisation’s infrastructure had been under attack, which was understandably too late. 

New tactics and schemes were created daily by cybercriminals, but the industry could not develop the protection at the same rate. In fact, these criminals are now using advanced persistent cybercrime strategies that are more destructive and less predictable than those used previously. 

Attacks within the past few years have emphasised how crucial a resilient cybersecurity strategy is for any organisation. However, as the skills gap continues – there simply are not enough proficient professionals to meet the requirements.

An estimated 3.12 million cybersecurity vacancies need to be filled, which is more than double the amount of qualified professionals currently in the field. This talent crisis is one of the most significant obstacles faced by organisations today. During a Future Processing Cybersecurity roundtable with cybersecurity professionals across software development, technology and business strategies, valuable insights were conveyed about the ways in which the technology industry could solve the skills gap within the cybersecurity sector. 

Companies need to focus on developing and investing in skilled cybersecurity professionals to meet present, as well as future demands. 

Importance of Aptitude

Technical knowledge and proficiency are essential for cybersecurity professionals, nevertheless there are other aspects which should be treated as crucial as well. Organisations should consider candidates with an aptitude for information technology and cybersecurity as well as other useful skills, like problem-solving, decision-making and ingenuity. 

According to the Head of Security at Future Processing, Dominik Samociuk, “The level of knowledge employees need to have to be a security consultant is really high, so this is hard to come by. It’s crucial to have the skills in order to fulfil the job requirements successfully.”

Testing the System

Finding talent at hackathons could be the solution that many organisations are looking for. Companies need to invest in professional skills that outrank present-day cybercriminals. By offering a position to an individual who can easily find and exploit vulnerabilities within a company’s digital architecture, organisations will be able to keep pace with the ever-evolving landscape and ensure they stay ahead of the curve. 

Upskill

Tomasz Wojciechowski, Head of Cybersecurity at Spyrosoft, believes that “Training staff and students is important from the very beginning. Though reskilling current employees is not easy, it is less time-consuming than bringing in someone new and training them from scratch.”

Employees who show an interest in changing fields and progressing their skill set could be the solution to finding the right candidate for a position in cybersecurity. People with curiosity, ambition and the ability to solve problems often perform well in various roles, as they are keen to learn and develop their skills in the IT industry. 

By investing in the continuous learning of current employees, organisations will be able to protect themselves by strengthening their cybersecurity defences. 

Final Thoughts

The cybersecurity skills gap is immense. There has never been a better time to create new, more diverse cybersecurity talent pools. Embracing free education and increasing the opportunities for a wider audience, will open the doors to more non-traditional applicants. 

Companies, academic organisations and students need to understand the current workforce shortage and work collectively to build the foundation needed for the skills necessary for cybersecurity professionals. Only then will all parties be better positioned and armed to successfully close the skills gap today and sustain a path for ongoing generations of cybersecurity professionals to combat potential threats.  

Dominik Samociuk is Head of Security at Future Processing

Tomasz Wojciechowski is Head of Cybersecurity at Spyrosoft

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