A talent shortage crisis is affecting the cybersecurity industry across companies and nations. So says the IT security product company Intel Security, having made a survey with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). A majority of respondents (82 percent) admit to a shortage of cybersecurity skills, with 71 percent of respondents citing this shortage as responsible for direct and measurable damage to organisations whose lack of talent makes them more desirable hacking targets.
James A Lewis, senior vice president and director of the Strategic Technologies Program at CSIS, said: “A shortage of people with cybersecurity skills results in direct damage to companies, including the loss of proprietary data and IP. This is a global problem; a majority of respondents in all countries surveyed could link their workforce shortage to damage to their organisation.”
In 2015, 209,000 cybersecurity jobs went unfilled in the United States alone, it’s claimed. Despite one in four respondents confirming their organisations have lost proprietary data as a result of their cybersecurity skills gap, there are no signs of this workforce shortage abating in the near-term. Respondents surveyed estimate an average of 15 percent of cybersecurity positions in their company will go unfilled by 2020. With the increase in cloud, mobile computing and the Internet of Things, as well as advanced targeted cyberattacks and cyberterrorism across the globe, the need for a stronger cybersecurity workforce is critical.
Chris Young, senior vice president and general manager of Intel Security Group, said: “The security industry has talked at length about how to address the storm of hacks and breaches, but government and the private sector haven’t brought enough urgency to solving the cybersecurity talent shortage. To address this workforce crisis, we need to foster new education models, accelerate the availability of training opportunities, and we need to deliver deeper automation so that talent is put to its best use on the frontline. Finally, we absolutely must diversify our ranks.”
The demand for cybersecurity professionals is outpacing the supply of qualified workers, with highly technical skills the most in need across all countries surveyed, it is suggested. In fact, skills such as intrusion detection, secure software development and attack mitigation were found to be far more valued than softer skills including collaboration, leadership and effective communication.
The report found four dimensions to the cybersecurity talent shortage:
1. Cybersecurity spending: The size and growth of cybersecurity budgets reveals how countries and companies prioritise cybersecurity. Countries and industry sectors that spend more on cybersecurity are better placed to deal with the workforce shortage, which according to 71 percent of respondents, has resulted in direct and measureable damage to their organisation’s security networks.
2. Education and training: Only 23 percent of respondents say education programs are preparing students to enter the industry. This report reveals non-traditional methods of practical learning, such as hands-on training, gaming and technology exercises and hackathons, may be a more effective way to acquire and grow cybersecurity skills. More than half of respondents believe that the cybersecurity skills shortage is worse than talent deficits in other IT professions, placing an emphasis on continuous education and training opportunities.
3. Employer dynamics: While salary is unsurprisingly the top motivating factor in recruitment, other incentives are important in recruiting and retaining top talent, such as training, growth opportunities and reputation of the employer’s IT department. Almost half of respondents cite lack of training or qualification sponsorship as common reasons for talent departure.
4. Government policies: More than three-quarters (76 percent) of respondents say their governments are not investing enough in building cybersecurity talent. This shortage has become a prominent political issue as heads of state in the US., UK., Israel and Australia have called for increased support for the cybersecurity workforce in the last year.
Read the full report at: Hacking the Skills Shortage: A study of the international shortage in cybersecurity skills.
Methodology
Intel commissioned technology market research firm Vanson Bourne to undertake the research. IT decision-makers who are involved in cybersecurity within their organisation were interviewed in May 2016 across the US. (200), UK. (100), France (100), Germany (100), Australia (75), Japan (75), Mexico (75) and Israel (50). The respondents were from organisations with at least 500 employees, and came from within both public and private sectors. Interviews were conducted online using a screening process to see that only suitable candidates had the opportunity to participate.
Comment
Michael Keegan, Chair of Fujitsu UK and Ireland, said: “Cybercrime is a recurring issue that every business faces, as it really is a case of ‘when, not if’ a breach will occur. The importance of having cybersecurity skills within the organisation is clear, with 71pc of businesses stating that a skills shortage has been directly responsible for measurable damage. This is something that business leaders must take seriously. The cost of a hacking can be astronomical, as reputations are damaged, sales fall, share prices drop and stakeholders lose confidence.
“Cybersecurity must be addressed at the highest level of the business, not left to the IT department. In short, the C-suite must take collective action. It is vital to upskill the existing IT team and educate the entire workforce on common cybercriminal tactics and the risks of using their own devices in the workplace. HR Directors must also have a dedicated plan in place to attract and retain skilled staff. And finally, leaders should consider using a security operations centre (SOC) to identify and respond to threats. As cybercrime continues to grow in scale and sophistication, security must be embedded into company culture from the top down.”
