Why Gaps Exist and the Need for Cybersecurity Trained Specialists
New studies point to the plight of close to 51% of companies who agree that there is an alarming shortage of cybersecurity skills. These are figures that seem to be rising every year. It is attributed to the increasing levels of cyber-attacks that are now becoming the order of the day. Over the past few years, there have been various security breaches across the globe, with the United States leading with statistics pointing out that cases increased to 1579 in 2017. All that is going on among companies is a scare that is not clear, and the worry is about the specific day with which the company may end up a victim. In words of Robert Mueller, FBI Director 2012, “there are two types of companies: those that have been hacked, and those that will be.”
It is quite prevalent that cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. However, the major setback is how companies are still finding it difficult to hire an individual due to the lack of the right skillsets. Some of the surveys that have been conducted in the past indicate a great deal of anxiety of among organizations. One of the major reasons in the recent high-profile threats that have occurred due to the lack of unpatched systems. It is one of the justifications of the prevailing gap that has left organizations vulnerable.
It is also quite easy to say that IT skills are not created equally at the same time, not in equal demand[1]. The top focus has continued to be network monitoring, vulnerability management and IT fundamentals. The skills that seem to be diminishing include identification and response to issues promptly, keeping track of software and also staying on top of vulnerabilities. These are some of the major areas which according to organizations are the tech skills causing the gap.
The other reason which can justify the gap existent in the market is the fact that companies are not just looking for the skills, but are also considering those that are good communicators and have analytical minds. There is a dire need for cybersecurity professionals that are in a position to link any emerging cybersecurity issue with the priorities that guide the operations of the business. The issues should then be communicated well to the rest of the organization effectively. The fact that there is an increased risk implies the need for people that have the ability to solve problems even if it has to happen under pressure.
Despite the challenges prevalent at the moment, the gap between the good and the bad guys continues to increase. This implies that there will be a continued need for individuals with the right cybersecurity skill set. There is also a continuous paradigm shift begging organizations to embrace the new dynamic landscape. Additionally, the recent spark in the cases of data breaches is a clear indication that the demand for cybersecurity professionals is not likely to end soon[2]. New and innovative measures have to be on standby in the coming years. Technology may be evolving but so does the forms of cyberattack implying the need for an induced transformation in the skillsets required to fill the ever-increasing void in cybersecurity.
[1] Cobb, Stephen. “Mind this gap: criminal hacking and the global cybersecurity skills shortage, a critical analysis.” (2016).
[2] Fuller, Charles Reginald. “Shortening the skills gap: An exploratory study of cybersecurity professional experience.” PhD diss., Capella University, 2016.
