Cyber Skills Shortages Stands At Four Million

A shortage in the global cybersecurity workforce continues to be a problem for companies in all industries and of all sizes.  The technology industry has never seen anything quite like it.

Seasoned cyber pros typically earn $95,000 a year, often markedly more and yet job openings can linger almost indefinitely. 

The ever-leaner cybersecurity workforce makes many companies desperate for help. In an era of high-profile data breaches and devastating cyberattacks, cybersecurity impacts every individual and every organisation.  Global IT security skills shortages have now surpassed four million

According to the international certifcation organisation (ISC)2 the number of unfilled positions now stands at 4.07 million professionals, up from 2.93 million this time last year. This includes 561,000 in North America and a staggering 2.6 million short fall in APAC. The shortage of skilled workers in the industry in Europe has soared by more than 100% over the same period, from 142,000 to 291,000.

(ICS)2 have released their  latest Cybersecurity Workforce Study based upon interviews with over 3200 security professionals around the world. The report estimates the current global workforce at 2.93 million, including 289,000 in the UK and 805,000 in the US. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of responding organisations reported a shortage of cybersecurity staff, with a lack of skilled or experienced security personnel their number one workplace concern (36%).

Over half (51%) of cybersecurity professionals said their organisation is at moderate or extreme risk due to staff shortages.
four key strategies to help organisations tackle such shortages. These include in-house training and development and setting applicant qualification requirements at the right level to ensure as wide a net as possible is cast.

(ISC)2 also stressed the need to attract new workers from other professions, or recent graduates with tangential degrees, as well as seasoned professionals from consulting and contracting sectors. Organizations should look to strengthen from within by cross-training existing IT professionals where appropriate. In an era of high-pro le data breaches and devastating cyberattacks, cybersecurity impacts every individual and every organisation. 

Top Job Concerns Among Cybersecurity Professionals include: 

  • 36% Lack of skilled/experienced cybersecurity security personnel 
  • 28% Lack of standard terminology for effective communication 
  • 27% Lack of resources to do my job effectively 
  • 24% Lack of work-life balance 
  • 24% Inadequate budget for key security initiatives 

Cybersecurity professionals are more than twice as likely to be male, meaning there is an under-tapped demographic available for recruiting if companies can position the role in a way that overcomes common stereotypes. 30% of survey respondents were women. 

Among respondents with security-specific titles, 23% of study participants were women. The highest percentage of women cybersecurity professionals came from Latin America (39%) and North America (34%). 

The 2019 (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study is based on online survey data collected in June and July 2019 from 3,237 individuals responsible for security/cybersecurity at work throughout North America, Europe, Latin America (LATAM) and Asia-Pacific (APAC).  The sample within each country was controlled to ensure a mix of company sizes and industries. 

InfoSecurity Magazine:          ISC2:

You Might Also Read:

Britain’s Cybersecurity Skills Gap:


 

 

« British Police At War Against Cyber Crime
Four Security Principles For For Small Business »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 8,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

IPCopper

IPCopper

IPCopper specializes in network packet capture appliances for cybersecurity, cybersurveillance and network monitoring, and encrypted data storage.

Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)

Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)

The Australian Signals Directorate is an intelligence agency in the Australian Government Department of Defence.

Atos

Atos

Atos provides a unique Cyber Security end to end solution with a data-centric and pre-emptive security approach.

Kenexis

Kenexis

Kenexis is a consulting engineering firm providing services for process hazards analysis, fire and gas mapping, and industrial cybersecurity.

Nexthink

Nexthink

Using our solution, hundreds of IT departments effectively balance offering a productive and enjoyable end-user experience with making the right decisions to secure and transform the digital workplace

CSIRT-IE

CSIRT-IE

CSIRT-IE is the body within the NCSC that provides assistance to constituents in responding to cyber security incidents at a national level for Ireland.

Cyber Talents

Cyber Talents

CyberTalents is on a mission to close the gap of cyber security professionals shortage across the globe.

Privakey

Privakey

Transaction Intent Verification. Privakey delivers a secure channel to streamline high risk transactions, enabling digital trust between services and their users.

ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft is a provider of software development and IT consulting services including Information Security.

HB-Technologies

HB-Technologies

HB-Technologies is pioneer in Africa, in digital security, embedded electronic and IT solutions based on highly secure smart cards that comply with international standards and norms.

KeyData Associates

KeyData Associates

KeyData is a recognized leader in cybersecurity services specializing in Identity and Access Management (IAM), Customer Identity & Access Management (CIAM) and Privileged Access Management (PAM).

META-Cyber

META-Cyber

META-cyber was founded by engineers with experience in process and control-protection to provide cyber security for industrial infrastructure.

eaziSecurity

eaziSecurity

eaziSecurity has built an eco-system of technology and services that bring enterprise scale security solutions to the SME marketplace.

SGTech

SGTech

SGTech is the leading trade association for Singapore's tech industry, offering focused support and development to both strategic and emerging sectors in the industry.

X-Analytics

X-Analytics

X-Analytics is a cyber risk analytics application to create a better way for organizations to understand and manage cyber risk.

CyberMontana

CyberMontana

CyberMontana is a statewide initiative providing cybersecurity awareness, training, and workforce development for businesses and residents of Montana.